MMA Knockout

BYB Exclusive: Heavyweight Champ Ike Villanueva Says Bare-Knuckle Is ‘Meant’ For Him After Extending Contract

"I’m building something over here"

Zain Bando

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

It appears Ike Villanueva (18-14 MMA, 3-0 BYB) will stick with BYB for the forseable future, as the defending heavyweight champion signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion Feb. 29.

Speaking with MMA Knockout on March 19, Villanueva’s desire to remain a fixture on the bare-knuckle scene was never a question, nor was it any hesitation. Villanueva has competed professionally since 2008, with stops in Bellator MMA and the UFC.

“I’m feeling blessed so far, man,” Villanueva said. “It’s a new journey. I’m making waves. BYB is meant for 'The Hurricane'. I’m building something over here. Can’t wait to really grow with this company here at BYB.”

Becoming part of BYB’s main staple of fighters is off to a good start for the Texas native. A winner of three-straight fights since transitioning away from MMA in April 2022, Villanueva said he is targeting the biggest fights possible moving forward.

“I’m looking at summertime, sometime in July,” Villanueva said. “It’d be my next fight. [I have] a couple of names out there. There’s a title eliminator fight [Gustava Truilo vs. Levi da Costa] at BYB 25 in Tampa, April 4, which is my birthday.”

Villanueva said he doesn’t have a preference as to who wins Thursday night, as he treats every bout the same way.

“I will probably get the winner of whichever one they bring,” Villanueva said. “I hope they're ready because I'm ready for all newcomers. I know as I get ready to defend the belt, the young guys are hungry. So, for me, it’s like, man, let’s go. It’s another test. I fight at the highest level. There’s no one in this organization that puts fear in me.”

Villanueva considers bare-knuckle boxing easier to compete in compared to MMA, but said if someone wants to give it the all-go, they have to really want it.

“There's not much difference you can really do with this triangle, triangle ring,” Villanueva said.  “Not much room to move. Yes, you can box. You can move. Then you got to make it out. Somebody's got to add that. You got to have that grit. You got to have two heavyweights. That’s more weight.”

Long-term, Villanueva, 40, intends to stay with BYB as a matchmaker or in a promoter-type capacity and said he wants to help build the sport.

“Like I said, I plan to fight another two to three years,” Villanueva said. “After that. It's time to hang them up and I'll be behind the scenes.”

For now, Villanueva, 40, awaits his next challenge, as he is fresh off a KO victory against D.J. Linderman in February. 

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC, MMA, WWE, and AEW.


Published
Zain Bando

ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of Fan Nation and the Sports Illustrated/The Arena Group umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA.  He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT.  A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99.