Eddie Alvarez shares X-Ray of Broken Jaw from Jeremy Stephens fight at KnuckleMania V

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Chris De Santiago | Last updated Jan 27, 2025 4:41 PM ET

BKFC

Jeremy Stephens wasn't lying when he said he was the hardest-hitting featherweight in the world.

The UFC veteran moved up to 165lbs for a bareknuckle brawl with Eddie Alvarez, sparking the former UFC Lightweight Champion at Knuckle Mania V in his backyard of Philadelphia.

Alvarez had successful moments early on, but it was Stephens who ultimately prevailed, his power proving to be too much for the 41-year-old in the third round.

Jeremy Stephens TKOs Eddie Alvarez in Philly #KnuckleManiaV

(via @bareknucklefc, @daznsport) pic.twitter.com/QktHvKn1hz
— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) January 26, 2025

BKFC’s Bec Rawlings ‘Earned Respect’ at KnuckleMania V: ‘I’m an OG at This S***'

Stephens knocked down Alvarez twice, and the second time around Alvarez struggled to return to his feet. He beat the referee's 10-count, though Alvarez's corner called a stop to the contest shortly after - Stephens getting his hand raised by TKO.

BKFC

Alvarez Reflects On Loss, Cites Injury

Back-to-back losses for Alvarez, losing to Mike Perry in similar fashion in Dec. 2023, "The Underground King" says Stephens broke his jaw in his first post-fight statement.

"Got hit with a kill shot in the first or second... I did my best to keep a Gameface and ignore it . By the 3rd round the damage was too much," Alvarez wrote on Monday. "Please understand how bad I wanted this and what I sacrificed in order to Win, it wasn’t my night. Bare Knuckle is as real as it gets. Unpredictable, Fast Pace and violent..."

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A post shared by Eddie Alvarez (@ealvarezfight)

"Whether I win or lose is not as important as Philadelphia/Pennsylvania slowly becoming the most dominate Area in the country for Combat Sports. @bareknucklefc is the fastest Growing and will be the Greatest Show on Earth.. Mark my words. Thank you Philadelphia for showing out..."

BKFC KnuckleMania V, starring Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens, shattered a Pennsylvania combat sports attendance record with 17,762 fans at the Wells Fargo Center,