Eddie Alvarez’s dream of putting on a show for his hometown crowd in Philadelphia at BKFC KnuckleMania 5 was cut short on Saturday when he suffered a broken jaw.
The former UFC lightweight champion shared a graphic x-ray on Monday, revealing the extent of the damage inflicted by Jeremy Stephens in their fight. Alvarez’s coaches made the tough call to stop the fight after the third round, giving Stephens the technical knockout victory.
Alvarez explained on Instagram, “Got hit with a kill shot in the first or second [round]. I did my best to keep a game face and ignore it. By the third round, the damage was too much.”
Despite his determination, Alvarez couldn’t continue and expressed his disappointment, stating, “It wasn’t my night. Bare Knuckle is as real as it gets. Unpredictable, fast-paced, and violent.”
This marks the second time Alvarez has been stopped in a bare-knuckle fight due to severe injuries.
In December 2023, Alvarez’s fight against Mike Perry was halted in the second round after he suffered a broken orbital bone.
Alvarez was eager to compete in front of his hometown fans after a long absence but faced tough challenges against Stephens, ultimately succumbing to knockdowns in the third round.
His coaches made the call to end the fight to prevent further damage, leaving Alvarez disappointed at not being able to secure a win in Philadelphia.
Despite the loss, Alvarez praised the BKFC KnuckleMania 5 event and the talent showcased, highlighting the growth of combat sports in Philadelphia.
“BKFC is rapidly expanding and will become the premier show in the world,” Alvarez remarked confidently.
As Alvarez contemplates his future following the defeat, he faces another period of recovery due to his broken jaw.