BKB Bridgerweight Champion Marko Martinjak has vowed to knock out former heavyweight champion Ike Villanueva.
Martinjak, regarded as one of the world’s best bare knuckle fighters, defends his title against Villanueva in London on 21 February. The world title bout headlines BKB 51 at The Indigo at the o2 in North Greenwich.
During last Friday’s BKB 49 event in Cardiff, BKB’s Gareth A Davies interviewed Martinjak at ringside.
Davies told Martinjak that the Mexican-American Villanueva said he was “looking forward to beating the big bald ugly fella from Europe.”
Martinjak laughed off Villanueva’s comment.
“He can talk the talk but I am the man who walks the walk. He has big balls to enter with me, the Trigon,” Martinjak told Davies.
“We all know he’s a quitter. He quit against (Gustavo) Trujillo. He quit against Kamil (Sokolowski). But you don’t quit. I will knock him out,” he said.
Martinjak was asked about his training camp for the Villanueva fight. The Croatian, who underwent finger and metacarpal surgery after a first-round knockout over Dan Podmore, said he’s already started training.
“I had surgery six weeks ago. Two weeks after the surgery, I went to the gym,” he said.
“So, three weeks ago we started camp. We have now from Monday, we have 11 weeks. I’ll be more than ready.”
BKB Makes Long Awaited Return to London
BKB 51 marks the promotion’s return to London after a lengthy absence. It’s the first London event since 2024 for BKB, which was acquired by and merged with America-based BYB in 2024.
Many BKB legends including Jimmy Sweeney, Sean George, Tyler Goodjohn and Dan Chapman thrilled fans at the Indigo as BKB made England’s capital its home base for years.
After the merger, BKB exposed more British fight fans to bare knuckle by focusing on other areas besides London. BKB has held events in Wolverhampton, Bristol, Bolton, Leeds, and Cardiff since 2024,
For it’s homecoming, BKB has signed an explosive main event. Martinjak (12-2, 12 KOs) has knocked out his past five opponents in the first round. He’s won six in a row since a 2023 stoppage loss to Jarome Hatch, a loss avenged by Martinjak with KO wins in the rematch and rubber match.
Villanueva (5-2, 4 KOs), a UFC veteran, won his first three bare knuckle fights. He beat DJ Linderman for the BYB Heavyweight Title but was knocked out by Trujillo in his first defence. A shock stoppage loss to Kamil Sokolowski followed.
Villanueva then moved down from heavyweight to bridgerweight (maximum weight 224 lbs). He’s won 2 in a row, defeating Eric Olsen by stoppage and decisioning Hatch.
Neither win will prepare Villanueva for Martinjak, a tall, heavy-handed fighter with more experience. Villanueva will have to be at his best on 21 February to avoid defeat, while Martinjak can’t afford to underestimate the dangerous Villanueva.
Tickets for BKB 51 London are now on sale via AXS TV.
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