For the third week in succession, BKFC is in action this coming Saturday night. This weekend, the bare-knuckle boxing promotion heads back to the United States for another card on DAZN. Billings, MT is the host city for the second card of the month.
Metra Park 1st Interstate Arena will be the setting for BKFC on DAZN Montana on Saturday. Live coverage kicks off on DAZN at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT with the undercard before moving onto the main card at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT on the subscription-based streaming platform.
All told, barring any late postponements and/or cancellations between now and Saturday evening, the final version of BKFC on DAZN Montana features an 11-fight bare-knuckle boxing slate. At the top of the bill Saturday is a contest for supremacy at 145 lbs.
BKFC Featherweight Championship at Stake in BKFC on DAZN Montana Main Event
Current BKFC Featherweight Champion Kai Stewart (6-0 bare-knuckle, 6-0 BKFC), who went 1-0 in MMA, makes his third defense of the strap by putting his undefeated record on the line against challenger and UFC veteran Jimmie “El Terror” Rivera (2-1-1 bare-knuckle, 2-1-1 BKFC), who went 23-5 in MMA.
As with all BKFC fights, the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event is an advertised maximum of five rounds at two minutes per round to close out the show.
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BKFC on DAZN Montana Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event on Saturday night, champion Kai Stewart stands as the taller contender at 5-foot-8, compared to Jimmie Rivera’s 5-foot-4 frame. Stewart owns a 1 1/2-inch reach advantage (70 inches to 68 1/2 inches) over Rivera.
Currently, the oddsmakers have Kai Stewart installed as a -253 favorite on the money line, while Jimmie Rivera counters as a +183 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend in MMA and/or combat sports, please wager responsibly.
Kai Stewart On A Mission in BKFC on DAZN Montana Main Event
Champion Kai Stewart, who holds the record as the youngest-ever titleholder in BKFC, having won the title a month shy of his 23rd birthday, has yet to lose in the ring since joining the promotion in October of 2021. Last time out, he scored a unanimous decision victory over Bryan Duran (6-1 BKFC) during BKFC 62 on June 24 to net him his second defense of the strap.
Recently, Stewart talked to Dylan Bowker for an interview ahead of the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event. He’s got one goal firmly in mind.
“I think Jimmie Rivera fits that UFC transplant guy as the BKFC 1.0 model,” Stewart began. “A lot of talk has been going around, Chris “Lights Out” Lytle and [BKFC blow-by-blow commentator] Sean Wheelock, they were all talking about me being potentially that BKFC 2.0. My next stop, what I need to do, is beat this ex-UFC guy and send him on his merry way back to his donut shop and I am the face of the company. I made my pro debut in Bare Knuckle and that’s just– it’s unheard of, and I’m going to beat all of these guys. I’m a professional athlete, I’m an elite athlete and this is my opportunity to shine.”
The champ has provided Rivera’s camp with bulletin board material as Saturday night’s main event approaches, but the time has come to see whether or not he can deliver.
Can “El Terror” Knock Stewart From Ranks of Unbeaten?
In the other corner, Jimmie “El Terror” Rivera has posted a 3-1-1 record over his last five fights dating back to the end of his UFC career. Most recently, he bested Daniel Straus (26-11-1 combat sports, 0-2 BKFC) by way of unanimous decision back in May during BKFC 61 in Uncasville, CT.
After that fight, Rivera mentioned that he had no preference for his adversary in the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event.
“I wouldn’t mind punching Kai in the face- he definitely deserves it,” Rivera said at the time. “I’m cool with Duran, but at the end of the day, it’s a business, so if I have to punch him in the face and kick his (censored) to get the belt, that’s what I’m going to do. It doesn’t matter who has the belt; they just need to know I’m coming for it.”
Time passed and Kai Stewart is the next man up for Rivera. Can he score the victory in the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event?
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
With Saturday’s headliner being for a championship, expect both contestants to lay all of their cards out on the table.
Look for Stewart to Tire Rivera Out
Kai Stewart’s key in the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event: Work Jimmie Rivera to the point of exhaustion, like he did vs. Bryan Duran. While the fighters exchanged great shots in the opening round, Stewart took control by causing Duran to slip in the early going of round two, peppering him with a shot to the body, keeping his foot on the gas pedal all the while.
Stewart kept this pace up throughout the rest of the fight, alternating stances to keep Duran honest before cleanly knocking him down in the fourth round. While the fight went to the judges, Stewart retained the belt on the scorecards.
If Kai Stewart can make Jimmie Rivera tired, he’ll remain the champion after the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event.
Look For Rivera to Vary His Shots
In the other corner, Jimmie Rivera can become the new champion if he keeps Kai Stewart guessing in the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event. During his BKFC promotional debut, Rivera mixed up his offensive attacks versus Howard Stewart, peppering him with right-handed shots and left hooks, including a two-punch combination later in the contest.
While Rivera scored with a right to Stewart’s body in the bout’s final seconds, the judges’ scorecards produced a majority draw after 10 minutes of action. Jimmie Rivera is a tough customer at the shop, as his combat sports record indicates.
If Rivera can mix his shots effectively, he’ll become the new titleholder.
Final Thoughts
This looks like it’ll be a fun fight. Get your dinner ready on Saturday night before the BKFC on DAZN Montana main event.
Prediction: Kai Stewart by Unanimous Decision.
