Former UFC fighters caused a stir at BKFC 76 pre-fight faceoffs when Mariya Agapova unexpectedly kissed Jessica Eye on the mouth. While physical interactions between fighters are not uncommon during faceoffs, a kiss is definitely a rare move in combat sports. The incident left Eye visibly stunned and she later expressed her displeasure towards Agapova.
The unexpected kiss could potentially intensify the upcoming matchup between the two fighters, which is set to take place on the main card at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Eye took to Instagram to share her reaction after the incident, stating, "So now that I've got to bleach my lips from those nasty f*cking lips that touched me, I mean, ew, ew. It's f*cking weird…But you don't kiss me, weirdo. You're weird. It ain't going to take me out of my game. It's just going to make me beat your ass more."
BKFC 76 is scheduled to feature a headline interim lightweight title fight between Tony Soto and Ben Bonner and will also showcase MMA veteran Andrei Arlovski as he makes his promotional debut against Josh Copeland. Another highlight of the event is the return of Jessica Eye to combat sports after a three-year hiatus, as she faces off against Mariya Agapova in her BKFC debut.
Eye's journey back to fighting involved relocating to Florida and assembling a new team to support her comeback. The decision to return to the sport came after a period of rebuilding physically and mentally. Notably, BKFC has become a vital platform for former UFC fighters, providing opportunities for athletes like Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez to continue their careers outside the UFC.
Having previously challenged for the UFC flyweight title against Valentina Shevchenko, Eye faced setbacks in her UFC career before ultimately parting ways with the promotion. After a defeat to Maycee Barber in 2022, Eye chose to bid farewell to the UFC and seek new opportunities in BKFC.
The incident at the BKFC 76 weigh-ins, where Agapova kissed Eye during their faceoff, stirred controversy and discomfort. Eye's response to the unexpected action highlighted her surprise and unease, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the interaction.
In conclusion, the surprising kiss between Mariya Agapova and Jessica Eye at BKFC 76 added an extra layer of intensity to their upcoming fight. As the MMA world eagerly anticipates their clash, the controversy surrounding the kiss continues to spark discussion and intrigue among fans and fighters alike.