BKFC star eyes MMA fight with Sean O'Malley but says he'll definitely reject a UFC contract offer
Sean O'Malley is in the crosshairs of one of the most promising combatants right now within BKFC. Kai Stewart prepares to defend his featherweight title for the third time this Saturday. At BKFC on DAZN Montana, the reigning 145-pound champion will look to improve his BKFC record to 7-0 against former UFC veteran Jimmie Rivera.
Speaking on Bare Knuckle Bowker, the reigning BKFC featherweight champion delved into several subjects. The multi-combat sport athlete has found success in both wrestling and mixed martial arts but passionately spoke about how bare-knuckle fighting is his top priority.
Discussing his path within gloveless combat, Stewart said,
"Bare-knuckle chose me, I guess is the easiest way to say it. I'm grateful and I wouldn't trade it for the world. They could come at me with a UFC offer and I'd say no. I'm bare-knuckle, baby, let's go."
'Hefty Bag' has had 11 mixed martial arts bouts across amateur and professional competition. So, he does have options across multiple combat sports, and this is reflected in some of his future goals. When discussing some of those proverbial boxes he would like to check off within combat sports, Stewart stated,
"I do want to become a double champ [in BKFC]. I do want to fight [Sean] O'Malley and beat his a** in any sport. I'm good with UFC, bare-knuckle, anything, but I do want that fight. King of Montana, let's do it."
Check out these quips from Kai Stewart regarding a possible UFC deal and fighting Sean O'Malley someday [2:21] and [7:36] below:
Sean O'Malley and his history with Kai Stewart
It seemed like the public really became aware of a rivalry between Sean O'Malley and Kai Stewart after the former won his UFC title over Aljamain Sterling. At the post-fight press conference, when a reporter was talking about combat sports athletes from Montana succeeding, he referenced both O'Malley and Stewart.
To this, O'Malley interrupted the reporter by saying 'next question' and continued to say how he felt Stewart 'sucks' and that the BKFC warrior was DMing him talking trash. Stewart has since offered his perspective on the rivalry and mentioned O'Malley's alleged resentment because he captured his belt before O'Malley.
The BKFC champ also mentioned how he was a true Montana native, didn't have to leave the state to become a champion, and fired shots at Sean O'Malley not wanting to fight him bare-knuckle.