Jeremy Stephens guess on himself heading into his struggle in opposition to Eddie Alvarez at BKFC KnuckleMania 5 and now he’s able to money in.
The 34-time UFC veteran scored one among his most spectacular victories to this point when he broke Alvarez’s jaw in the primary occasion in Philadelphia in January. It seems that was really the ultimate bout on Stephens’ cope with the bare-knuckle promotion, which is why he’s now exploring free company with all of the leverage on the planet to earn a profitable payday.
“I took a f*cking big threat,” Stephens advised MMA Preventing. “I’ve mentioned in previous interviews, I didn’t signal the GFL contract although that was a giant payday. I might have waited till April.
“[BKFC] sat me out for a 12 months after Jimmie Rivera, so I’m a free agent. I didn’t signal these contracts as a result of I knew the night time that I used to be keen to exit and threat it for had the massive payday. It’s time to receives a commission. It’s time to deal with my household and never having these f*cking stresses that I’m having. I put in my f*cking time. I guess on myself. I handled the gang. I offered the f*cking place out.”
BKFC really broke the fight sports activities attendance report beforehand held by the UFC with the KnuckleMania 5 card, which featured Stephens taking over Philadelphia’s hometown hero Alvarez in the primary occasion.
All week lengthy main as much as the occasion, Stephens handled a hostile Philly crowd and he even had different fighters like UFC veteran Joe Pyfer speaking trash to him through the pre-fight press convention. Stephens acquired his vengeance with a stellar efficiency the place he scored two knockdowns within the third spherical earlier than Alvarez’s coaches waved off the struggle to forestall him from absorbing additional harm.
The subsequent day, Alvarez revealed his jaw was shattered early within the struggle earlier than he finally succumbed to the strain that compelled the stoppage within the third spherical.
It was a highlight-reel efficiency for Stephens, which is why he’s able to reap the rewards for enjoying spoiler and beating a former UFC champion like Alvarez in one of many largest BKFC occasions to this point.
“Now you’ve acquired to pay me,” Stephens mentioned. “I ain’t doing shit for f*cking [middle of the road pay] anymore. I ain’t taking f*cking pay cuts. It’s a safe bag. I advised [BKFC president David Feldman] once I acquired out of the ring, I hope you understand my true price. I’m not simply right here for the f*cking examine, like I advised Eddie, too. I’m right here to take your f*cking neck and the chance that comes with it.
“You’re speaking about an actual motherf*cker, somebody that deserves it. Nobody’s placing pores and skin within the recreation, kilos of flesh like I’ve. I really feel prefer it’s simply my time and I’m glad that I by no means gave up alongside the best way.”
For all of the choices probably accessible to him, Stephens admits that he’s actually loved competing in BKFC after spending three fights with the promotion.
Stephens says he even earned an apology of types from Feldman after the BKFC founder apparently admitted his personal fault backing Alvarez in that struggle.
“My very own promoters have been in opposition to me, betting in opposition to me,” Stephens mentioned. “David Feldman known as me right now and was like ‘we had Eddie, we had the cash behind him.’ You paid the fallacious man. Now it’s my time. Ball’s in my courtroom. I need a huge f*cking bag.
“I’ve acquired alternatives, perhaps going to the UFC to struggle Conor McGregor there, BKFC as a result of he’s the proprietor over there. I put myself on this f*cking second. I risked all of it on me. I manifested this. I turned a delusion into actuality. There’s nobody else hotter and f*cking extra deserving than [Jeremy Stephens], the f*cking killer heathen proper now.”
As a lot as Alvarez could have been the marquee identify heading into BKFC KnuckleMania 5, Stephens acquired all the eye popping out of the occasion.
That simply provides gas to the fireplace on why he’s trying to get greater and higher compensation for his subsequent contract however Stephens guarantees he’s sustaining a great relationship with BKFC in hopes that they’ll ultimately get a brand new deal carried out.
“I’ve had really nice conversations with David Feldman,” Stephens mentioned. “He’s a person of his phrase. I’d say my solely factor with David Feldman is extra communication. That’s it. Extra communication. We will positively match out the edges. I hope he is aware of that I’m not simply right here for the checks. I’m getting paid fairly good. I’m not simply right here for the checks. I’m right here for greater alternatives. I wish to make these f*cking million greenback paydays in order that I can simply relaxation effectively. I’ve earned that.
“Me and Feldman are cool. We don’t have a contract proper now. I really like working with them. I really like the BKFC as you possibly can inform. I’m extra primal. That is my f*cking sport.”
