Conor McGregor, who co-owns Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), delivered an exciting night of fighting at KnuckleMania 5 from the renowned Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on January 25, 2025. The mega event showcased the raw energy and the unpredictability of bare-knuckle boxing, with a combination of shocking victories and surprising losses.

As the dust finally settles, let’s look at the major winners of the night, as well as those who had to head home with a loss on their MMA record. So, who got the biggest win of their lifetime at the major event? Did one of your favorite bare-knuckle fighters make the list? Let’s find out.

Top Winners of BKFC KnuckleMania 5

Jeremy Stephens

In a night full of high-stakes matchups, former UFC featherweight Jeremy Stephens emerged as the clear winner. The Des Moines, Iowa native was seen as the underdog going into the main event fights. After all, he was going toe-to-toe with Philadelphia’s own Eddie Alvarez. In fact, Alvarez even used his home edge to dominate the early rounds with effective aggression and crowd support. ‘Lil’ Heathen’, on the other hand, tried his best to survive the early barrage of strikes.

The major twist in the tale came in the third round, when he landed a flurry of powerful right punches, knocking Alvarez down twice. These blows forced Alvarez’s team to call off the bout, resulting in a significant win for ‘Lil’ Heathen’. This victory not only provided a major boost to Stephens’ reputation as a fierce fighter in the BKFC but also as a fighter with the patience of a monk. After all, he waited till the third round to finally find the gaps to deliver brutal combos to Alvarez.

To make things more exciting, UFC legend Conor McGregor was in attendance and even had a face-off with Stephens post-fight. If there is one thing that the fans know now, it is that there is a potential future bout cooking up between the two. This would significantly elevate BKFC and the 38-year-old’s profile. With this victory, ‘Lil’ Heathen’ improved his bare-knuckle record to an impressive 3-0, including notable wins over Jimmie Rivera and Bobby Taylor.

Ben Rothwell

Ben Rothwell’s performance at KnuckleMania 5 was nothing short of incredible. Rothwell went against Mick Terrill for the BKFC heavyweight title in a fight that many expected to be competitive. However, the former UFC heavyweight had different plans. He delivered a quick and emphatic knockout, ending the contest in just 36 seconds. This quick victory not only gained him the championship belt but also sent a strong message to the heavyweight division that the new kingpin was in the division to rule for a long time.

Rothwell’s move from mixed martial arts to bare-knuckle boxing looks as seamless as it can be. His unconventional approach and punching power have proven to be an ideal match for the BKFC style. With a stellar 4-0 record in bare-knuckle fighting, Rothwell has quickly become a phenom in the promotion’s heavyweight division. Thanking the crowd in the post-fight interview, he truly showed that he is the people’s champion in the heavyweight class. “I have been doing this in combat sports for 25 years, and I’m telling you, your energy was in my right hand, and you helped me win this title.”

Bec Rawlings

Bec Rawlings reinforced her reputation as a trailblazer in women’s bare-knuckle boxing with a dominant performance against Taylor Starling. Rawlings proved her technical superiority over Starling right away, dictating the tempo of the fight and landing brutal yet precise strikes. So, it was no surprise that – completely impressed by her domination – the judges scored the fight 50-44, 49-45, and 50-44 in favor of the 35-year-old.

As a former BKFC champion, Rawlings proved that she is still at the peak of the sport and cannot be taken lightly. Her experience and fight knowledge were on full display in this major win, putting her in a prime position for another title challenge in the flyweight division. Only time will tell if she grabs the title anytime soon. But from the looks of it, the end goal isn’t too far away.

Notable Losers of BKFC KnuckleMania 5

Eddie Alvarez

Eddie Alvarez came into KnuckleMania 5 with big hopes. After all, he was the hometown hero competing in his birthplace of Philadelphia. The fight against Jeremy Stephens started well for ‘The Underground King’, as he used his experience and drew from his local support to dominate the early rounds. However, the bout took a dramatic turn in the third round when Stephens’ unrelenting offensive resulted in two knockdowns, prompting Alvarez’s corner to request a stoppage.

This was a disappointing outcome for the 41-year-old who suffered his second consecutive loss in the BKFC. His previous defeat was also through a corner stoppage; however, it was Mike Perry who gave him the big L back then. With a current BKFC record of 1-2, Alvarez’s future in the sport remains unknown. Despite a distinguished career that includes championships in both the UFC and Bellator, it would be interesting to see if he continues in the BKFC or finally hangs up his gloves.

Taylor Starling

Taylor Starling entered her fight against Bec Rawlings hoping to rebuild herself as a top contender in the flyweight division. However, she struggled to cope with Rawlings’ experience, technical prowess, and picture-perfect execution. Throughout the bout, Starling visibly struggled to execute her game plan. By the end, it was clear as day that she definitely fell short against the former champion, resulting in a unanimous decision loss.

This result is a huge setback for Starling, who had hoped to restore prominence in the division following a prior title loss. While her resilience and determination are admirable, this performance clearly exposed her weakness. To reclaim her rank and chase future title prospects, Starling will now need to bounce back stronger than ever, irrespective of how experienced her next opponent will be. What do you think? Did your favorite fighter win their fight? Let us know in the comments.