The landscape of elite bare-knuckle boxing is shifting rapidly, and heavyweight standout Cody East has positioned himself directly at the forefront of the conversation. With his sights firmly set on the BKB bridgerweight division, East has emerged as the clear next-in-line contender for the sport’s coveted crown. As the division braces for a high-stakes championship showdown, the challenger has offered a deeply analytical breakdown of the looming title fight, while also sharing his broader perspective on the combat sports landscape.
The upcoming championship clash features reigning titleholder Marko Martinjak defending his prestigious Police Gazette diamond bridgerweight belt against challenger Matty Askin. The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled to take place at BKB 61 in London on November 14th, capturing the intense attention of fighters, promoters, and fans across the international bare-knuckle community.
East punched his ticket to the mandatory challenger position in decisive fashion at BKB Bally’s Fight Night. In that outing, he delivered a stellar performance by besting former BKB heavyweight champion Ike Villanueva, a victory that immediately elevated his status and redirected his undivided focus toward the championship scene. With the Martinjak versus Askin title fight rapidly approaching later this month, East weighed in on the matchup and shared his assessment of the reigning champion during an appearance on Bare Knuckle Bowker.
According to East, neutralizing a champion of Martinjak’s caliber requires a specific, highly aggressive tactical approach that strays far away from traditional boxing strategies. Offering his expert perspective on the reigning titleholder’s fighting style, East noted that anyone attempting to engage the champion in a conventional technical boxing match is likely to fall into a trap.
"Not too much. I know Marko’s tough, man. Marko’s very good. He’s very disciplined and I feel like anybody that tries to box him in a boxing match like that is going to get caught," East stated. "Someone’s going to have to actually fight him. You know what I mean? I’m going to; I’ll fight him. I’m not going to feel him out. I expect when I fight Marko that’s going to be a bloody fight. I’m going to make it ugly as possible and I know I can be there."
The blueprint East has laid out for a potential future championship opportunity relies heavily on grit, relentless pressure, and a willingness to absorb damage in order to deal it out. When pressed further on the risks involved in implementing such an aggressive, high-octane strategy against a technically proficient and dangerous titleholder, East addressed the historical realities of fighting elite-tier competitors. Reflecting on past bouts within the division, he evaluated how opponents have previously fared when attempting to alter the champion’s rhythm.
"Can he do that?" East mused, analyzing the tactical dynamics of the weight class. "I mean, when he when he got ugly with Jarome, he got knocked out cold. So, I got to be willing to take something to give something if I end up fighting Marko. You know, I expect to take a lot of damage, but I can take it. I’m gonna see if he could take it. So, that’s the difference. I mean, I’m willing to give it to take it when it comes to that fight."
This unfiltered assessment highlights the brutal reality of bare-knuckle boxing at the absolute highest level, where durability, psychological resilience, and tactical adaptability often dictate the difference between victory and defeat. For East, the path to the championship is not merely about outscoring an opponent through defensive maneuvers, but about breaking their will through sustained, grueling warfare inside the squared circle. As the November 14th event in London draws closer, the outcome of the Martinjak versus Askin bout will directly shape East’s immediate professional future and set the stage for what promises to be one of the most anticipated championship battles in recent BKB history.
BKB dream fight pitched by Cody East post-BKB 61
Beyond his immediate athletic ambitions and the intense preparations for his own eventual championship opportunity, Cody East maintains a passionate, fan-like appreciation for the sport of bare-knuckle boxing as a whole. While establishing himself as one of the most formidable competitors on the roster, he continues to follow the broader divisional landscapes and dream matchups that captivate the global audience.
During his discussions on Bare Knuckle Bowker, East also touched upon his desire to see a dream fight materialize between two of the organization’s most celebrated pound-for-pound greats. Offering his thoughts on a potential pairing that would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the combat sports community, East outlined why a specific matchup has caught his attention and why it would deliver maximum entertainment value for the fans.
"I would like to see those two fight each other. It would be an interesting fight. I mean, Gustavo’s not very big. He’s fought ’85 before. Like they’re similar size. I mean, Gustavo [Trujillo] walking around at 240. Like that’d be an awesome fight," East explained, detailing the physical dimensions and competitive intrigue surrounding the hypothetical pairing.
Balancing the unique dual perspective of being both an elite, high-level combatant actively hunting for gold and a dedicated connoisseur of the sport, East emphasized how much he values compelling matchups within the promotion. Reflecting on his admiration for high-level competition and the sheer excitement generated by the organization’s marquee fighters, East summed up his enthusiasm for the broader promotional landscape.
"Great. That’s a fight I would like to watch. I would be entertained with that fight. It’s an entertaining fight," East noted.
As the bare-knuckle world shifts its collective gaze toward London on November 14th for BKB 61, the narrative of the bridgerweight division hangs entirely in the balance. With Marko Martinjak preparing to put his Police Gazette diamond bridgerweight belt on the line against Matty Askin, Cody East waits in the wings, fully prepared to dissect the winner, implement his signature brand of relentless, gritty pressure, and cement his legacy at the very top of the sport.
