Jeremy Stephens is determined to establish himself as top dog against Mike Perry at BKFC 82, with the former UFC star "collecting souls" on his way to the summit.
The two MMA stars meet in Newark as the headline bout, in what promises to be one of the most exciting bare-knuckle contests of recent years.
Stephens, who stopped Eddie Alvarez last June, is looking to leave a definitive mark against a familiar face, and in an interview with DAZN News, laid out his plans.
"This is my game," he said. "When it comes to BKFC, there's no one better right now than Jeremy Stephens. I've been collecting souls in the BKFC. I'm currently undefeated.
"My last fight was turbulent chaos. We wanted to come in with sweet skills that were going to pay the bills, and we got it done in fashionably style.
"Just like we said, I was calm, cool, collected, patient. I landed my shots, did a lot of damage, won the fight and got my chance to prove my worth to the BKFC."
Stephens will enjoy a home state crowd in New Jersey, and added that he is relishing the opportunity to impress in front of a local audience once again.
"I feel like I'm home," he said. "I've been born, bred, and built for this. I've been telling people for a long time. I've been down in the darkness but I rebuilt myself back into this.
"To do what I've done is unheard of. Now I've got to go out there, make one hell of a statement, put [him] to sleep, execute, and do my job, then move on."
"The mental fortitude I've had... I've been alone. I've been in the darkness. I've been I really know who's there for me. I don't need nobody's love. I don't need nobody's respect.
"Since the first time I fought in BKFC, I knew I was going to fight Eddie and Mike Perry for big bags of money. I was just certain of myself.
"I'm powerful, courageous, inspirational. I had to battle back through a lot. I'm a big risk taker. I want generational wealth for my family.
"You never took no for an answer. You never gave up on yourself. There's this certainty in that. When it comes to BKFC, I'm the man
It's just proving it to myself, me versus me, going out there. People think I'm crazy. I know I'm crazy. I ain’t stupid.
"I'm a big risk taker but I take calculated risks. I know I'm just the better person.
"I'm the champ. I'm the new face. I'm the king of barbarians. I’m the new King of Violence. I've been saying it since day one."
"This is what it really comes down to. This fight is going to be nothing but pain, madness, will, grit, blood, guts and glory. It's coming down to a violent war and a chaotic moment."
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