The stage is officially set for another explosive night of action under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship banner. On Friday, Oct. 9, fight fans around the world will turn their attention to the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as the promotion hosts BKFC Fight Night: Bethlehem. The high-stakes fight card is headlined by a compelling 165-pound showdown between seasoned competitors Gregoris Cisneros and Ryan Petersen, promising an unforgettable evening of unadulterated combat sports entertainment in the heart of the Keystone State.
For enthusiasts eager to catch every moment of the hard-hitting action, the event will broadcast live on the BKFC+ streaming platform, with the main card scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET. Before stepping into the squared circle to settle their differences without the protection of gloves, the entire roster of athletes had to successfully navigate the scales. The official weigh-ins took place on Thursday, Oct. 8, providing a final face-to-face preview of the matchups that will unfold on fight night. Photographer Nick Vespe was on hand to capture the intense pre-fight staredowns and athlete arrivals, documenting the final hurdle for the competitors before they trade leather in Bethlehem.
The weigh-in proceedings went smoothly for the vast majority of the card, showcasing the professionalism and dedication of the fighters competing on this regional showcase. In the main event spotlight, headliner Gregoris Cisneros tipped the scales at 164.6 pounds, coming in just under the divisional limit, while his opponent, Ryan Petersen, hit the target spot-on at exactly 165 pounds. Both men looked sharp and focused during their final face-off, signaling that they are fully prepared for the grueling pace and high-impact exchanges that define the sport of bare-knuckle boxing.
The co-featured action and undercard bouts also produced a series of intriguing physical matchups across multiple weight classes. In a compelling light heavyweight clash, Lew Ludlow weighed in at 205.4 pounds, while Sean Schultz registered at 204.4 pounds. Moving down to the featherweight division, Antonio Castillo stepped on the scale at 155.6 pounds, closely matched by Jay Haas, who weighed 154.8 pounds.
Welterweight action will see Justin Waters take on Douglas LoBasso after weighing in at 173.6 pounds and 174.2 pounds, respectively. In the middleweight division, Joseph Schillizzi registered at 185 pounds, while his opponent, Mike Liberto, came in slightly heavier at 187 pounds. The bantamweight division will feature Nicholas Burgos and Travis Thompson, who weighed in at 134.2 pounds and 136 pounds, respectively.
Heavier athletes on the card also made weight without issue, ensuring that the power-punching divisions will deliver plenty of drama. In the cruiserweight ranks, Maurice Morris weighed 224.8 pounds, while Lewis Rumsey registered at 221.2 pounds. At 165 pounds, Christian Torres checked in at 163.6 pounds, squaring off against Brett Shoenfelt, who weighed 165.4 pounds. Heavyweight competitors Mark Culp and Brian Newman brought considerable size to the scales, weighing 246.2 pounds and 246 pounds, respectively.
Representing the women’s division, Marisol Ruelas-Lopez weighed in at 130 pounds, while Taylor Dagner registered at 129.6 pounds for their upcoming bout. Finally, the evening’s super-heavyweight matchup features Marc Worthington, who came in at the divisional cap of 260 pounds, and Nathaniel James, who weighed 260.2 pounds. With all fighters officially clearing the scales, the matchups are locked in, leaving the athletes with just hours to recover and prepare for the opening bell at the Wind Creek Event Center.
