The tension inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, is already reaching a fever pitch ahead of Saturday night’s BKFC 82, and much of that electricity can be traced back to one man: Conor McGregor. The former UFC two-division champion, now a minority stakeholder and vocal co-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), has set the stage for a dramatic showdown between Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens in the main event. But it’s not just the fists that will be flying—there’s a whole lot more on the line than the newly-minted “King of Violence” title.
At Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, McGregor didn’t mince words. Addressing Perry directly, he declared, “You know what’s at stake, Michael: If you don’t perform, you’re gone. You can go back to those exhibition bouts and those misfits where they put on the big gloves. We’ll part ways. But I’m confident you’ll show up and do your thing, and I’m excited to see it.” According to McGregor, Perry’s future with BKFC hangs by a thread, making Saturday’s bout not just a fight for a symbolic crown, but a battle for career survival.
Mike Perry, undefeated at 5-0 in bareknuckle competition, returns to the BKFC ring for the first time since April 2024. That night, he delivered a thunderous knockout of Thiago Alves, firmly establishing himself as the promotion’s breakout star. Yet, Perry’s journey since then has been anything but straightforward. After his triumph in the BKFC ring, Perry stepped into the world of celebrity boxing, squaring off against Jake Paul in July 2024. The result? A TKO loss that left more than just a mark on Perry’s record—it also drew the ire of McGregor, who reportedly declared Perry “fired” from BKFC at the time for stepping outside the organization.
Now, Perry’s redemption arc is set for its most crucial chapter. He’s not just fighting to maintain his undefeated streak; he’s defending the inaugural “King of Violence” title—a symbolic accolade designed to recognize the most ferocious competitor in bareknuckle fighting. Perry claimed the crown with a dramatic finish of Eddie Alvarez in 2023, and Saturday’s fight marks his first defense.
Jeremy Stephens, meanwhile, is making his BKFC debut, but don’t let that fool you. The 39-year-old Iowan is a seasoned knockout artist with 15 UFC appearances under his belt. Though he left the UFC in 2021 after dropping his last two fights by unanimous decision, Stephens arrives in Newark with a reputation for heavy hands and relentless aggression. For him, this is a chance to claim a new throne and instantly shake up the BKFC landscape.
BKFC president David Feldman added another layer of intrigue to the proceedings, suggesting that the winner of Saturday’s main event could be in line for a shot at middleweight champion Dave Mundell—provided, as Feldman put it, the matchup “moves the needle.” That phrase has become something of a rallying cry for the promotion, emphasizing the need for fights that not only deliver action but also capture the imagination of fans and the broader combat sports world.
When Perry was asked about a possible future showdown with Dillon Danis, he didn’t hide his excitement. “Why not, man? I’m sure I’m gonna have bigger and better things to do after victory on Saturday night. I’m sure there’s plenty of big opportunities,” Perry said, his confidence on full display. Yet McGregor was quick to snap him back to reality, interjecting, “You’ve got to f*cking fight for that world title, Mike. You’ve never been a world champion here. So you’re in here saying you’re this and you’re that. You’re no world champion. … Your next fight is for a world title. That will move the needle. If you get through this, it’s got to be for the world title.”
It’s a pointed reminder that, for all of Perry’s bravado and past accolades, the path to true legitimacy in BKFC runs through championship gold. The stakes could hardly be higher. Not only does Perry risk losing his “King of Violence” crown, but McGregor’s public ultimatum means his very place in the organization is in jeopardy. As McGregor put it, “If you don’t perform, you’re gone.”
Stephens, for his part, has remained focused, letting his fight record and reputation speak for themselves. While he may be new to bareknuckle competition, his years in the UFC octagon have prepared him for high-pressure situations. If he manages to pull off an upset, he’ll not only claim the “King of Violence” title but also instantly establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the BKFC ranks.
The “King of Violence” belt itself is a recent innovation, a symbolic title rather than a traditional world championship, but one that carries significant weight within the promotion. BKFC, founded in 2018, has quickly built a reputation for raw, unfiltered combat, harkening back to the sport’s 19th-century roots. The creation of the “King of Violence” title is both a nod to the sport’s brutal heritage and a marketing move designed to capitalize on the star power of fighters like Perry and now, potentially, Stephens.
McGregor’s involvement as a minority stakeholder has added a new layer of drama and visibility to the promotion. Never one to shy away from controversy or the spotlight, McGregor’s hands-on approach—especially when it comes to holding fighters accountable—has injected a sense of urgency and unpredictability into BKFC’s biggest events. As he said of Perry, “[Perry is] a man that paved the way in this sport and rose up and done incredible things. Then he made an error and went a different way, biggest mistake in my opinion, but now he’s back. People are underrating him. He’s got a big point to prove.”
For Perry, Saturday night is a chance to reassert his dominance and silence any lingering doubts after his foray into boxing. For Stephens, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime—a chance to seize a title in his very first BKFC appearance and shake up the status quo. For McGregor and BKFC, it’s a moment to showcase the high-stakes drama and raw excitement that have made bareknuckle fighting one of the fastest-growing niches in combat sports.
With so much on the line—the “King of Violence” title, a possible world title shot, and even Perry’s future in the organization—BKFC 82 is shaping up to be a can’t-miss spectacle. As the fighters make their final preparations and the anticipation continues to build, all eyes are on Newark. Will Perry rise to the occasion and keep his crown, or will Stephens spoil the party and send shockwaves through the promotion?
One thing’s for sure: with Conor McGregor watching closely and the stakes at an all-time high, Saturday night’s main event promises fireworks. The BKFC faithful and fight fans everywhere will be glued to the action, eager to see who emerges as the true King of Violence—and whether Mike Perry’s BKFC journey continues or comes to an abrupt, dramatic end.
