Thursday afternoon’s weigh-in session served as the final procedural hurdle before competitors trade leather and grit inside the squared circle without the protection of gloves. With every matchup now officially locked in following successful trips to the scale, combatants from across the card faced off one final time before stepping into the squared ring on Friday evening. The Pennsylvania Athletic Commission oversaw the proceedings, ensuring that all athletes safely made weight within their respective contracted limits, setting the stage for a hard-hitting night of action in the heart of the Keystone State.
The combat sports landscape in Pennsylvania has long enjoyed a passionate fan base, and the local audience has warmly embraced the rapid ascension of bare-knuckle boxing. Friday’s fight card features a diverse array of compelling matchups, ranging from experienced veterans looking to climb divisional ladder rankings to hungry newcomers eager to make a lasting impression under the bright lights of a major promotional banner. As athletes finalized their weight cuts on Thursday, the tension in the room was palpable, reflecting the high stakes associated with every single bout on the calendar.
At the top of the reporting sheets for Thursday’s official weigh-in session, the main event and marquee pairings drew intense interest from fans and media members alike. Gregoris Cisneros tipped the scales at 164.6 pounds as he prepares for his upcoming test, while his opponent, Ryan Petersen, registered a weight of 165 pounds. Both fighters successfully navigated the championship weight parameters for their matchup, ensuring that their bout will proceed as planned without any dramatic shifts or penalties.
In the light heavyweight division, Lew Ludlow checked in at 205.4 pounds, coming in just under the upper limit of the weight class, while his adversary, Sean Schultz, weighed in at a crisp 204.4 pounds. The size and power present in this particular pairing promise to deliver high-impact exchanges once the opening bell rings on Friday night, as both men look to assert their dominance in the heavier tiers of the bare-knuckle organization.
Moving down the card to the lightweight division, Antonio Castillo registered at 155.6 pounds, closely matched by Jay Haas, who stepped off the scale at 154.8 pounds. Both athletes demonstrated professional discipline in making weight comfortably within the lightweight threshold, clearing the path for an energetic and fast-paced contest that traditional striking fans have come to expect from the weight class.
The welterweight and middleweight brackets also featured significant action during the Thursday weigh-in proceedings. Justin Waters hit the scale at 173.6 pounds, preparing to face Douglas LoBasso, who weighed in slightly heavier at 174.2 pounds. Shortly after, the middleweights took their turns, with Joseph Schillizzi registering at 185 pounds on the dot, while Mike Liberto came in at 187 pounds, successfully finalizing their agreement for Friday’s showcase at the Wind Creek Event Center.
In the bantamweight division, speed and precision will take center stage as Nicholas Burgos weighed in at 134.2 pounds, preparing to square off against veteran competitor Travis Thompson, who registered at 136 pounds. Both men demonstrated the conditioning required to compete at a high pace, setting up a potentially explosive encounter that could steal the show on Friday night.
Cruiserweight and heavyweight action will also provide plenty of fireworks for the Pennsylvania crowd. Maurice Morris stepped onto the scale at a formidable 224.8 pounds, while Lewis Rumsey registered at 221.2 pounds for their heavyweight clash. Meanwhile, in another pivotal pairing, Christian Torres weighed in at 163.6 pounds, squaring off against Brett Shoenfelt, who tipped the scale at 165.4 pounds.
The heavier divisions continued to draw attention as Mark Culp registered at 246.2 pounds, closely matching Brian Newman, who weighed in at 246 pounds. In the women’s division, Marisol Ruelas-Lopez checked in at 130 pounds, while Taylor Dagner registered at 129.6 pounds, locking in an exciting contest that highlights the expanding talent pool within female bare-knuckle competition. Rounding out the official weigh-in proceedings, Marc Worthington tipped the scale at a massive 260 pounds, while Nathaniel James registered at 260.2 pounds, ensuring a thunderous conclusion to the pre-fight scale activities.
BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem weigh-in video below:
The successful completion of Thursday’s weigh-ins marks the final transitional phase before the athletes transition from the scale to the arena canvas. With every fighter safely making weight, the promotional team, medical personnel, and athletic commission officials can turn their full attention toward Friday night’s live event at the Wind Creek Event Center. Fans in attendance and those watching the broadcasts will witness a full lineup of bouts featuring athletes who have successfully met their professional obligations, paving the way for an unforgettable evening of combat sports entertainment in Bethlehem.
