Kai Stewart
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Liberal, Kansas, United States
| Kai Stewart | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 17, 2000 Liberal, Kansas, United States |
| Other names | Hefty Bag |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division | Welterweight (MMA) Featherweight (Bare-knuckle boxing) |
| Fighting out of | Great Falls, Montana, United States |
| Team | Great Falls Wolfpack |
| Years active | 2021–present (bare-knuckle boxing) 2022 (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 1 |
| Wins | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Bare-knuckle boxing record | |
| Total | 8 |
| Wins | 8 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Kai Stewart (born June 17, 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. As of April 13, 2026, he is #3 in the BKFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3] He transferred to the University of Providence in his 2020 sophomore year.[4][5]
Mixed martial arts career
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.[6]
Bare-knuckle boxing career
In his BKFC debut, Stewart faced Darrick Gates at BKFC Fight Night 1 on October 9, 2021. He won the fight via first-round knockout.[7][8]
Stewart then faced Daniel Gary at BKFC 24 on April 30, 2022. He won the fight via first-round knockout.[9]
Stewart next faced Rusty Crowder at BKFC 29 on September 10, 2022. He won the bout via split decision.[10][11]
Featherweight champion
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.[12][13] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[14]
In his first title defense, Stewart faced Howard Davis on December 2, 2023, at BKFC 56.[15] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[16][17] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.[18]
Stewart defended his title against Bryan Duran on June 21, 2024 in the main event of BKFC 62.[19] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[20] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.[21]
Stewart made the third successful defense of his BKFC featherweight title by unanimous decision against Jimmie Rivera on November 9, 2024 at BKFC on DAZN 2.[22]
Stewart defended his title for the fourth time against undefeated contender Tommy Strydom on April 5, 2025 at BKFC 72 Dubai: Day 2.[23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[24]
Stewart made the fifth defense of his BKFC featherweight title against current unbeaten BKFC Europe Featherweight Champion Nico Gaffie at BKFC 87 on March 20, 2026.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]
Championships and accomplishments
- Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- BKFC Featherweight World Champion (One time, current; inaugural)
- Five successful title defenses
- Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Louie Lopez, Howard Davis and Bryan Duran[14][18][21]
- Youngest champion in BKFC (22 years, 11 months old)
- BKFC Featherweight World Champion (One time, current; inaugural)
Mixed martial arts record
| 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 |
