What’s next for a fighter when the gloves are off, both metaphorically and literally? Jeremy Stephens’ latest revelation about his free-agent status is sending shockwaves through the MMA world. Fresh off a brutal knockout victory over Eddie Alvarez at BKFC KnuckleMania 5, ‘Lil Heathen’ shared an emotional and unfiltered conversation with Ariel Helwani. It wasn’t just about the fight alone. It was about life, risks, and the sacrifices of a father betting on himself.

“You’re a free agent right now? You don’t have another fight in your deal?” Ariel asked, nudging Stephens to open up about his status. “I’m the one who doesn’t have a [BKFC] contract right now, big dog…Yet, I’m still working. I can either go with UFC, that route, bare-knuckle, boxing,” Stephens replied, hinting at the rollercoaster he’s been on. “Welcome to the wild ride, bro. This is life right now… I’m my own man.” If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to survive in the cutthroat world of combat sports, Jeremy Stephens laid it bare.

The California native’s post-fight victory speech on Helwani’s show wasn’t your usual celebration of dominance. “No one’s paying my bills… I’m tired of doing sh-t for f–king cheap, for free,” he confessed, his voice tinged with exhaustion and determination. “I’m a father. I took a f–king risk, a gamble.”

What makes this story even more gripping isn’t just the knockout or his free-agent declaration, it’s the gamble that led up to it. In a jaw-dropping revelation, Stephens shared how he turned down a lucrative contract from GFL. “I’m going to throw you in on another f—ing little bone here, bro. GFL, they paid me bigger money than what I just made, and I didn’t sign the contract. You know, all honor, but listen, I did not sign that contract because I was betting on myself for this fight,” Stephens said.

Imagine stepping into a brutal bare-knuckle ring, rejecting a financially secure deal, and risking everything to prove your worth. BKFC didn’t even sign Stephens to a new deal ahead of his fight with Alvarez, banking instead on the former UFC champ to win. But Stephens had other plans. “Paid the wrong f–king man… with BKFC bro, my promoters were against me. I don’t have a contract with him, he bet against me. He just told me ‘Yeah, we thought Eddie was going to win bro.”

Knocking Eddie Alvarez out in less than two rounds wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. Of course, where there’s fire, there’s Conor McGregor to stoke the flames.

Is Jeremy Stephens’ freelancing approach inspiring others too?

Before Stephens crushed Alvarez, McGregor was reportedly siding with ‘The Underground King.’ The BKFC brass, as ‘Lil Heathen’ revealed, seemed to favor Alvarez too. But the tides turned the moment Stephens shattered Alvarez’s jaw with a thunderous shot. But where does ‘The Notorious’ fit into all this? Oh, you knew he’d show up somewhere, didn’t you? The Irishman, who’s always had a knack for stirring the pot, made sure to insert himself into the narrative.

In true McGregor fashion, he jumped the gun after the bout, setting up what could be the most unexpected fight in BKFC history. The Irish superstar confronted Stephens, reigniting their infamous UFC 205 presser banter. “Who the f— is this guy?” McGregor quipped. But this time, it wasn’t just a verbal jab, it was a challenge. “Let’s make a date; let’s set a date. Who’s gonna stop me, man to man?”

With Stephens breaking free from traditional promotional chains and McGregor flirting with a BKFC appearance, could this be the next chapter for both fighters and freelancers? Or will the UFC’s iron grip pull them back? As Stephens put it, “I’m a prizefighter. I can go anywhere…UFC, bare-knuckle, boxing.”

His options are wide open, but one thing’s for sure, he’s calling the shots now. So, what do you think? Should Stephens return to the UFC to be on Dana White‘s payroll? And should McGregor step into the BKFC ring? Or should both fighters carve their paths, free from the constraints of major promotions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!