Former UFC title challenger Jessica Eye made her triumphant return to combat sports at BKFC Texas.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen ‘Evil’ Eye in action. The 16-time UFC veteran hung up the gloves at UFC 290, retiring after a decision loss to top contender Maycee Barber in 2022.
Post-UFC, Eye experienced the worst depression of her life and built a new team around her in Florida and a ‘magnificent’ physique approved by Conor McGregor before making the decision to come out of retirement.
Signed to the BKFC earlier this year, the 38-year-old Eye entered her promotional debut at BKFC Texas across from former UFC fighter Mariya Agapova, who kissed her lips at the weigh-ins on Friday.
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Jessica Eye drops Mariya Agapova en route to first win in 6 years
It was a hard-fought fight between UFC veterans Eye and Agapova on the BKFC Texas main card.
In her first fight in three years, Eye worked her dirty boxing across five rounds of action, battering the body of Agapova in the clinch.
The fifth and final round saw Eye drop Agapova with a punch late into the fight.
Agapova disputed the knockdown as a slip after she got back up to the feet after crashing into the ropes.
Eye and Agapova went the full distance, with Eye declared the winner by unanimous decision (49-45, 50-44, 49-45).
“Are you not entertained?” Eye said following her win over Agapova, her first victory since a decision effort over Viviane Araujo in Dec. 2019—nearly six years ago.
Jessica Eye could fight for another world title after successful BKFC debut
It was in 2019 when Jessica Eye earned a world title fight against pound-for-pound queen Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 235.
Riding a three-fight win streak at the time, Eye lost to Shevchenko via headkick KO in the second round.
Fast forward to now, Eye could be on the verge of a second title opportunity in BKFC.
There aren’t many women lining up to fight BKFC women’s flyweight champion Christine Ferea.
With a notable name like Jessica Eye’s in the mix at 125 lbs, a fight between Ferea and the former UFC title challenger could transpire in the future.