Stewart Embraces 'Bad Guy' Role Ahead Of Fenway BKFC Title Fight

Bare Knuckle FC featherweight champion Kai Stewart is leaning into his role as the villain ahead of his title defense at Fenway Park.

Stewart faces Harry Gigliotti at BKFC 92 in Boston, where the Massachusetts native will have the crowd squarely in his corner. The 26-year-old champion, unbeaten in nine fights, told BetOnline's The Fight Guys podcast he welcomes the hostility and plans to feed off it. Stewart pointed to his previous fight in Miami against a Cuban opponent as proof he thrives as the heel.

Stewart Promises To Spoil Gigliotti's Homecoming

"I love being the heel, the bad guy," Stewart said, per BJPenn.com. "At the end of the day, I'm not friends with these guys — I'm going in there to fight. There's no place to be a 'good guy' in fighting, especially in bare-knuckle." He added that he expects to become Boston's top enemy after the press conference and promised he has more ammunition ready if a second media event takes place.

The featherweight titleholder has built a reputation as one of BKFC's brightest young stars and most polarizing figures, rarely delivering a dull performance. Stewart recently traded barbs with UFC bantamweight Sean O'Malley on social media ahead of Aiemann Zahabi's UFC Freedom 250 bout, showing his willingness to engage with fighters outside his own promotion.

BKFC 92 marks the first time the bare-knuckle organization will host an event at Fenway Park. Stewart defends his title in the main event.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Kai Stewart embracing ‘Bad Guy’ persona ahead of Fenway Park BKFC title fight