Kai Stewart (born June 20, 2000) is an American bare-knuckle boxer and mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in the featherweight division, where he is the current and inaugural BKFC Featherweight Champion. As a mixed martial artist, he has competed in the welterweight division.

Kai Stewart
Born (2000-06-20) June 20, 2000 (age 24)
Liberal, Kansas, United States
Other namesHefty Bag
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionWelterweight (MMA)
Featherweight (Bare-knuckle boxing)
Fighting out ofGreat Falls, Montana, United States
TeamGreat Falls Wolfpack
Years active2021–present (bare-knuckle boxing)
2022 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total1
Wins1
By submission1
Losses0
Bareknuckle boxing record
Total6
Wins6
By knockout2
Losses0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Wrestling career

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Kai Stewart attended Charles M. Russell High School, where he was a three-time Class AA Montana state finalist in wrestling, including a 138-lb state championship in 2018.[1]

Stewart attended Minot State University in his first year, where he was a member of the MSU Beavers wrestling team. He compiled a 2-3 record as a freshman.[2] He transferred to the University of Providence in his 2020 sophomore year.[3][4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Stewart made his professional MMA career against Frank Meno on December 10, 2022, at Fusion Fight League's event, entitled Seasons Beatings Great Falls. He won the bout by rear-naked choke.[5]

Bare-knuckle boxing career

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In his BKFC debut, Stewart faced Darrick Gates at BKFC Fight Night: Montana on October 9, 2021. He won the fight via first-round knockout.[6][7]

Stewart then faced Daniel Gary at BKFC 24 on April 30, 2022. He won the fight via first-round knockout.[8]

Stewart next faced Rusty Crowder at BKFC 29 on September 10, 2022. He won the bout via split decision.[9][10]

Featherweight champion

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Stewart faced Louie Lopez for the inaugural BKFC Featherweight Championship at BKFC 44 on June 9, 2023. He won the bout by unanimous decision to win the championship.[11][12] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[13]

In his first title defense, Stewart faced Howard Davis on December 2, 2023, at BKFC 56.[14] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[15][16] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.[17]

Stewart defended his title against Bryan Duran on June 21, 2024 in the main event of BKFC 62.[18] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[19] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.[20]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By submission 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Frank Meno Submission (rear-naked choke) FFL Season Beatings Great Falls December 10, 2022 2 0:00 Great Falls, Montana, United States

Bare knuckle record

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Professional record breakdown
6 matches 6 wins 0 losses
By knockout 2 0
By decision 4 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 6–0 Bryan Duran Decision (unanimous) BKFC 62 June 21, 2024 5 2:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States Defended the BKFC Featherweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win 5–0 Howard Davis Decision (unanimous) BKFC 56 December 2, 2023 5 2:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Defended the BKFC Featherweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win 4–0 Louie Lopez Decision (unanimous) BKFC 44 June 9, 2023 5 2:00 Great Falls, Montana, United States Won the inaugural BKFC Featherweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win 3–0 Rusty Crowder Decision (split) BKFC 29 September 10, 2022 5 2:00 Great Falls, Montana , United States
Win 2–0 Daniel Gary KO (punches) BKFC 24 April 30, 2022 1 1:10 Great Falls, Montana, United States
Win 1–0 Darrick Gates TKO (punches) BKFC Fight Night: Montana October 9, 2021 1 1:24 Billings, Montana, United States

References

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  1. ^ "CMR grad Stewart joins Providence wrestling team". Great Falls Tribune. 2020-08-24. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  2. ^ "Kai Stewart". MSU Beavers. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  3. ^ "Kai Stewart". UP Argos. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  4. ^ "Kai Stewart: College wrestler by day, BKFC star by night". BKFC. 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  5. ^ "Kai Stewart". Sherdog. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Matthew Wells (October 9, 2021). "BKFC Fight Night Montana results: Joe Riggs knocks out Melvin Guillard in 59 seconds". MMAjunkie.com.
  7. ^ "Photos – Best of BKFC Fight Night: Montana". MMA Junkie. November 17, 2021.
  8. ^ Harkness, Ryan (May 1, 2022). "Watch: Bare Knuckle FC 24 fight ends with crazy uppercut knockout faceplant". mmamania.com.
  9. ^ King, Kristen (September 11, 2022). "BKFC 29 results, highlights: Hart Beltran wins gold, Joe Riggs headbutted in co-main". Bloody Elbow.
  10. ^ "BKFC 29 Results: Hart vs. Sigala". MMA Fighting. September 10, 2022.
  11. ^ Mercado, Eddie (June 10, 2023). "BKFC 44 full results, video highlights: Kai Stewart wins title fight". Bloody Elbow.
  12. ^ Tieman, Richard (June 12, 2023). "Former CMR Wrestler Crowned World Champion at BKFC 44". ABC FOX Montana.
  13. ^ a b BKFC on YouTube (June 10, 2023). "BKFC 44 Bonuses". youtube.com.
  14. ^ "Mike Perry vs. Eddie Alvarez headlines BKFC 56 in Salt Lake City on Dec. 2". mmafighting.com.
  15. ^ Tucker, Bryan (December 2, 2023). "BKFC 56 Results: Perry vs. Alvarez". MMA Fighting.
  16. ^ Samano, Simone (December 3, 2023). "BKFC 56 official results and prelims live video stream". MMA Junkie.
  17. ^ a b BKFC on YouTube (December 2, 2023). "BKFC 56 UTAH PERRY vs ALVAREZ Press Conference - LIVE - David Feldman announces bonuses". youtube.com.
  18. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (30 April 2024). "Kai Stewart vs Bryan Duran headlines BKFC 62 Hollywood in June". FIGHTMAG.
  19. ^ "BKFC 62 Results | BKFC". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  20. ^ a b BKFC (2024-06-21). "BKFC 62 HOLLYWOOD Post-Event Press Conference - LIVE!". BKFC on YouTube. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
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