BKFC KnuckleMania 5: Main Card Predictions
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The top bare-knuckle fighting promotion is taking its action-packed show back to its promotional roots. BKFC takes over Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 25 for their annual KnuckleMania event. Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez faces fellow alum Jeremy Stephens in the featured main card bout. The co-main event showcases the heavyweight championship between Mick Terrill and Ben Rothwell.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens
The main event of KnuckleMania 5 features an explosive matchup between Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens. Both fighters are widely known for their entertaining and gritty style, which typically throws caution into the wind. Fans will be on the edge of their seats from start to finish. This excitement makes it the perfect finale for the great lineup of fights.
Stephens, 38, has momentum going into this fight with the former UFC lightweight champion. The hard-hitting former UFC featherweight has found a new lane at this stage in his career. On the other hand, Alvarez, 41, is the older and more damaged fighter. Expect Stephens to take advantage of the difference in hand speed and Alvarez’s withered punch resistance. Alvarez will be looking to get the fight in the clinch to overpower the naturally smaller Stephens. Stephens is a power puncher, but will look to pressure Alvarez with a measured approach. Once he gets a feel for Alvarez’s distance management, he will begin to mix body shots. Then, he will throw heavy hooks at Alvarez’s head. It is hard to envision Alvarez withstanding over three rounds of this level of punishment.
Prediction: Jeremy Stephens via 4th-Round KO/TKO
Heavyweight Championship
Mick Terrill vs. Ben Rothwell
The co-main event showcases a world championship match. We get to see heavyweight juggernauts Mick Terrill and Ben Rothwell. This tale involves Terrill, a highly experienced bare-knuckle fighter, defending his title. He faces a former UFC heavyweight, who has successfully shifted his focus to bare-knuckle boxing. Terrill is the most experienced active fighter on the professional bare-knuckle scene.
Terrill, 41, is as good as it gets in BKFC, as he is highly experienced in the sport. Rothwell, 43, has a sliver of Terrill’s experience in the sport. This fight will not last long as both hard-hitting heavyweights will press the action. Rothwell will be looking to land his big right uppercut straight on Terrill. The champion will be slightly more measured than Rothwell. This measured approach will be the difference maker. This will lead to a better opening in exchanges. The sharpness and technique will fade as Rothwell tires, and he will begin to take more damage. Terrill will land a fight-ending punch flush around the championship rounds.
Prediction: Mick Terrill via 4th-Round KO/TKO
Taylor Starling vs. Bec Rawlings
A clash between BKFC veterans Taylor Starling and Bec Rawlings takes the final slot on the main card. Both fighters have become familiar faces in the company. Starling debuted in 2021, and Rawlings debuted on the first BKFC card back in 2018 after parting ways with the UFC.
Starling, 28, has had a back-and-forth career with BKFC. Rawlings, 35, is a true pioneer of the company and started her tenure looking above the competition. Rawlings is currently on a harsh three-fight losing streak, hoping to return to her winning ways. That said, Starling has the edge in this fight. She has more left to prove. Starling holds obvious physical advantages like reach and age. The fight will get ugly and provide fans with a grueling, hard-fought five rounds of nonstop action. Both fighters will use the clinch and pocket range to produce high output. Starling’s youth and momentum compared to Rawlings will be the deciding factor that edges the scorecards.
Prediction: Taylor Starling via Split Decision
Other KnuckleMania 5 Main Card Fights:
- Zachary Calmus def. Patrick Brady via 2nd-Round KO/TKO (Heavyweight)
- Dustin Pague def. JD Burns via Decision (Welterweight)
- Travis Thompson def. Zachary Pannell via 2nd-Round KO/TKO (Bantamweight)
- John Garbarino def. Apostle Spencer via 1st-Round KO/TKO (Middleweight)
- Kaine Tomlinson Jr. def. Pat Sullivan via 2nd-Round KO/TKO (Welterweight)
- Cody Russell def. Logan Tucker via 3rd-Round KO/TKO (Middleweight)
- Phil Caracappa def. Noah Norman via 1st-Round KO/TKO (Bantamweight)
- Zedekiah Montanez def. Brandon Meyer via 2nd-Round KO/TKO (Lightweight)
- Itso Babulaidze def. Bryan McDowell via 1st-Round KO/TKO (Middleweight)
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