Cody East plans to spoil the retirement party for Ike LIVE OCT 23 at 7 PM CT | 🎟️ Get tickets at https://t.co/GBzGgysTnE https://t.co/7AXsRdV6X6— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) October 22, 2026
Cody “Freight Train” East expects an explosive encounter when he faces Ike Villanueva at BKB Bally’s Fightnight in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the veteran mixed martial artist-turned-bare-knuckle boxer does not anticipate needing all five rounds to settle the contest.
“I can knock him out. My goal is to stop him. We're two big boys fighting bare-knuckle. I don't see it going five rounds.”
East, a 6-foot-3 fighter from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to compete at 225 pounds. The 38-year-old brings two decades of combat sports experience into the matchup, along with a training camp he says has left him stronger, better conditioned and more comfortable with his weight.
His opponent, Villanueva, is another experienced combat sports veteran. East respects his toughness but believes sustained pressure could expose weaknesses.
“I can tell you he's a tough guy. He's got experience. He’s been around. He looks in shape. I expect a good fight out of him. But at the same time, I’ve also seen him quit in some fights. When I push him enough, I expect him to look for a way out.”
East discusses his five-round prediction and training camp
East said his latest training camp has been considerably easier on his body than his previous preparation, particularly when it comes to cutting weight.
“I know my training was really good. My weight came down really nicely. Last time, I cut a lot of weight before the fight – almost 30 pounds. This time I didn't have to do that. I was only eight pounds over.”
East has been training at Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, with assistance from coach Mike Winklejohn and a new strength and conditioning team at Forge Fitness.
He credits the changes with improving his cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility.
A significant part of that preparation has involved working with fellow mixed martial artist Josh Hokit, who is preparing for a UFC title fight.
“I was fortunate enough to get a lot of work in with Josh Hokit. He's getting ready for his title fight in the UFC. I'd help him with some MMA rounds, and then he'd help me with some bare-knuckle rounds.”
East explained that the sessions do not involve striking with exposed knuckles. Instead, they emphasize the rules and demands of bare-knuckle boxing, including clinch fighting and striking without takedowns.
The intensity, he said, has helped prepare him for the relentless pressure he expects against Villanueva.
Finding freedom in bare-knuckle boxing
After years of competing across multiple combat sports disciplines, East has found an appealing simplicity in bare-knuckle boxing.
He particularly enjoys the three-minute rounds and the compact fighting area used by BKB, known as the Trigon.
“There's nowhere to run. It's good to fight. It's straight to action. I enjoy that. I don't have to wrestle nobody. I don't have to be on the floor. I can let my hands go and not worry about holding back.”
That freedom comes with additional risks.
East said he has previously broken his hand and understands that bare-knuckle competition demands greater precision than conventional gloved boxing.
“You've got to be accurate, right? You can't afford to punch somebody in the head. You've got to hit them in the eyes, nose, lips, chin… You've got to be accurate with your punches. You can't just throw stuff.”
Despite his extensive MMA background, East said switching between disciplines has not presented significant difficulties.
He recalled competing in a tournament featuring boxing, kickboxing and MMA contests on the same night, an experience that required him to adjust quickly between different rules.
His current preparation, however, has focused almost exclusively on striking with his hands.
A fighter's beginnings
East traces his introduction to mixed martial arts to watching fellow New Mexico fighter Diego Sanchez compete on the television series "The Ultimate Fighter."
A former wrestler and football player, East believed he could make the transition into professional fighting.
“I wrestled and played football. I saw on TV that Diego Sanchez was fighting on The Ultimate Fighter. I can do that. And then yeah, I went and did it.”
East said he began fighting around age 17, supported by his family and an uncle he identified as Frank.
His younger brother, Tyler East, also pursued a career in combat sports, and the two developed their fighting careers alongside one another.
East's nickname, “Freight Train,” dates to an early sparring session with former MMA champion Carlos Condit.
According to East, Condit was preparing to fight Brock Larson when the young East connected with a powerful overhand punch.
“I hit him and he said I hit like a train.”
The nickname stuck.
A purpose beyond fighting
Although East has devoted much of his life to combat sports, he says his most meaningful work happens outside the fighting arena.
East described himself as a clinical social worker who works full time with people experiencing homelessness and substance addiction.
He said his work involves helping clients pursue sobriety, secure stability and rebuild their lives.
“What's important to me is my family and God. The fans might know that I'm a CSW [clinical social worker]. I work with people who are struggling with homelessness and drug addiction. That's my full-time job.”
For East, the connection between fighting and social work is rooted in discipline, perseverance and the willingness to sacrifice short-term gratification for lasting improvement.
“It's not just about fighting for me. I use the discipline, a bit of martial arts, to try to pass that to my clients – denying the flesh and not looking for instant gratification.”
East believes those lessons extend beyond competition, providing a framework for people working to overcome personal challenges.
“That is something that is so normal in this world these days. We all want instant gratification, and teaching people to work toward long-term goals is what's necessary to have long-term success.”
Looking toward the next challenge
East also expressed interest in a potential cross-promotional event between BKB and rival bare-knuckle organization BKFC.
He believes BKB's fighters would prove themselves superior in a head-to-head competition.
“Yeah, if they want to. They're going to lose. I think we've got better roster fighters. I think we're a better show. I think it'd be great. Who is really the best?”
For now, East's attention remains on Villanueva.
With a more manageable weight cut, a demanding training camp and a renewed emphasis on conditioning, the veteran fighter believes he is positioned to impose his preferred pace.
His objective is straightforward: pressure Villanueva, capitalize on openings and finish the fight before the final bell.