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

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.

NEW: It was great to sit down with @bybextreme heavyweight champion Ike Villanueva (@IKE_VILLANUEVA) a few weeks back to discuss his re-signing and earning a multi-fight contract.

P.S. It's his birthday today, too. @UFCKnockout

🎙️: https://t.co/PrHL7CgBqD

📎:…
April 5, 2024
“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.
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