BKFC KnuckleMania V is almost here. With this weekend being the first Saturday without any kind of pigskin action since August, fights will take center stage tomorrow night.
19 hours before the NFC Championship Game takes place in Philadelphia, Wells Fargo Center plays host to a night of bare-knuckle boxing. Before the fighters head to the ring on Saturday, the ceremonial weigh-ins were held on Friday, with a special guest in attendance.
“The Notorious” Greeted With Cheers at BKFC KnuckleMania V Weigh-In
Early on in the ceremonial weigh-ins for BKFC KnuckleMania V, UFC stalwart Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC), a part-owner of BKFC, received a warm ovation from the audience. Once the weigh-ins wrapped up, McGregor spoke to the viewers about how Philadelphia sports fans stand out from the rest of America.
“You know, the Philadelphia fans are very, very passionate about their sports and about their sporting heroes,” McGregor began. “Eddie Alvarez, make no mistake is a Philadelphia hero and I’m excited to see him in his homecoming, and facing off against a tough, volatile fighter, it’s going to be one hell of a show.”
Immediately after, McGregor gave his pick for the BKFC KnuckleMania V main event between Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens.
“Eddie gets the stoppage,” he said with a smile. “Eddie stoppage.”
Fighters Require Separation From Each Other in BKFC KnuckleMania V Weigh-Ins
McGregor’s appearance wasn’t the only bit of excitement the spectators got on the evening by a long shot. During the ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of Saturday night’s card (9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT, DAZN), middleweights Apostle Spencer and Johnny Garbarino tipped the scales.
Gabarino presented cannoli to Conor McGregor and BKFC President David Feldman, while offering a cannoli to Spencer, but then proceeded to swat it away. The two men almost went into battle right then and there, if not for security breaking them up.
Jeremy Stephens Riles Up Crowd
Upon weighing in for the headliner at BKFC KnuckleMania V, Jeremy Stephens played the role of the heel like a Les Paul guitar.
“‘Til I collapse, I’m going to keep folding faces in laps,” Stephens began. “These hands are locked and loaded, ready to gun him down Philly-style, (expletive deleted).” The one nicknamed “Lil’ Heathen” ate the boos from the crowd up like a Thanksgiving turkey.
BKFC KnuckleMania V Weigh-In Results:
BKFC KnuckleMania V Prelims: (8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT, DAZN and YouTube)
Middleweight: Bryan McDowell (175.8 lbs) vs. Itso Babulaidze (175.2 lbs)
Co-Featured Prelim: Middleweight: Logan Tucker (173.9 lbs) vs. Cody Russell (179.8 lbs)
Featured Prelim: Bantamweight: Noah Norman (133.6 lbs) vs. Phil Caracappa (136 1/2 lbs)
BKFC KnuckleMania V Main Card: (9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT, DAZN)
Bantamweight: Zach Pannell (137 1/2 lbs) vs. Travis Thompson (138.6 lbs)
Lightweight: Brandon Meyer (154 lbs) vs. Zed Montanez (156 1/2 lbs)
Heavyweight: Steve Banks (289.3 lbs) vs. Joey Dawejko (259.8 lbs)
Welterweight: Kaine Tomlinson (163.4 lbs) vs. Pat Sullivan (164.4 lbs)
Middleweight: Apostle Spencer (169.7 lbs) vs. Johnny Gabarino (175 1/2 lbs)
Heavyweight: Zach Calmus (246.8 lbs) vs. Pat Brady (239.6 lbs)
Women’s Flyweight: (BKFC KnuckleMania V Featured Bout) Bec Rawlings (121 1/2 lbs) vs. Taylor Starling (121.6 lbs)
BKFC KnuckleMania V Co-Main Event: BKFC Heavyweight Championship: Ben Rothwell (274 lbs) vs. Mick Terrill (258.2 lbs)
BKFC KnuckleMania V Main Event: Welterweight: Jeremy Stephens (164.6 lbs) vs. Eddie Alvarez (165.8 lbs)