BKFC books one-time UFC women’s title challenger vs. former top prospect-turned troublemaker

A pair of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) vets will collide in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) next month.

BKFC is gearing up for its inaugural Texas event, BKFC 76: Tenaglia vs. Soto, set for June 12 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Former UFC legend Andrei Arlovski has already been confirmed for the card (details here).

Now, the bare-knuckle promotion has bolstered the lineup with two more UFC alumni.

Former UFC flyweight title challenger Jessica Eye will square off against former top prospect Mariya Agapova in a flyweight bout.

BKFC co-owner, Conor McGregor, was absolutely thrilled by the signing of Eye, saying, “She is in phenomenal physical condition! Look at her big bare fists and magnificent musculature!”

“Evil” hasn’t competed since leaving her gloves in the Octagon after a unanimous decision loss to Maycee Barber at UFC 276 back in 2022 – three years after unsuccesfully challenging for the UFC Flyweight title.

She’s currently on a four-fight losing skid and hasn’t recorded a knockout since 2011, but maybe the glove-free environment might spark finishes.

Agapova, once hailed as a top flyweight prospect, burst onto the UFC scene with a dominant victory over Hannah Cifers, fueling significant hype (remember her ESPN push?). However, she stumbled in her next fight as a -1400 favorite (watch highlights) and, despite a subsequent win, was released from the UFC two years later.

The Kazakh fighter has faced significant challenges in recent years, including accusations of drug use and violent threats, which led to her expulsion from American Top Team. She also experienced homelessness on multiple occasions.

A career in combat sports is grueling.

Currently on a five-fight losing streak across MMA and boxing, Agapova hopes bare-knuckle fighting will mark a turning point in her career.

To checkout the latest BKFC-related news and notes click here.