Cody East plans to crash the retirement party for Ike LIVE on October 23rd at 7pm CT | 🎟️ Get tickets at https://t.co/GBzGgysTnE https://t.co/7AXsRdV6X6
— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle)
October 22, 2026
Cody “Freight Train” East looking forward to an explosive encounter Ike Villanueva At BKB Bally’s Fightnight in Biloxi, Mississippi, the veteran mixed martial artist-turned-bare-knuckle boxer doesn’t anticipate needing all five rounds to decide the contest.
“I can knock him out. My goal is to stop him. We’re two big guys fighting bare knuckles. I don’t see it going five rounds.”
East, a 6-foot-1 fighter from Albuquerque, New Mexico, prepares to compete at 225 pounds. The 38-year-old brings to the game two decades of combat sports experience and a training camp that he says has made him stronger, fitter and more comfortable with his weight.
His opponent, Villanueva, is another seasoned combat sports veteran. East respects her toughness, but believes the constant pressure can reveal weaknesses.
“I can tell you he’s a tough guy. He’s got experience. He’s been. He looks in shape. I expect a good fight from him. But at the same time, I’ve seen him quit in some fights. If I push him enough, I expect him to find a way out.”
East discusses his five-round prediction and training camp
East said his latest training camp has been much easier on his body than his previous preparation, especially when it comes to cutting weight.
“I know my training was very good. My weight came off really well. Last time I lost a lot of weight before the fight – almost 30 pounds. This time I didn’t have to. I was only eight pounds over.”
East has trained at
Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, with the help of trainer Mike Winklejohn and the new strength and conditioning team at Forge Fitness.
He appreciates the changes in improving his cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility.
A significant part of this preparation has involved working with other mixed martial artists Josh Hockeywho is preparing for a UFC title fight.
“I was lucky enough to work with Josh Hokit a lot. He’s getting ready for his title fight in the UFC. I helped him with some MMA rounds and then he helped me with some bare knuckle rounds.”
East explained that the sessions do not involve bare-knuckle striking. Instead, they emphasize the rules and regulations of bare-knuckle boxing, including clinch fighting and striking without takedowns.
The intensity, he said, has helped him prepare for the relentless pressure he expects to face Villanueva.
Finding freedom in bare knuckle boxing
After years of competing in several combat sports, East has found an appealing simplicity in bare-knuckle boxing.
He especially enjoys the three-minute rounds and the compact fighting area that the BKB uses, known as the Trigon.
“There’s nowhere to run. It’s good to fight. It’s straight to the point. I enjoy it. I don’t have to wrestle anybody. I don’t have to be on the floor. I can let my hands loose and not worry about being held back.”
This freedom comes with additional risks.
East said he has broken his hand before and understands that bare-knuckle competition requires more precision than standard glove boxing.
“You have to be accurate, right? You can’t afford to punch someone in the head. You have to hit them in the eyes, nose, lips, chin… You have to be accurate with your punches. You can’t just throw things.”
Despite his extensive MMA background, East said that switching between disciplines has not presented any significant difficulties.
He recalled competing in a tournament that night that featured boxing, kickboxing and MMA events. This experience required him to quickly adapt to different rules.
However, his current preparation is focused almost exclusively on hitting with his hands.
The beginning of a fighter
East traces his introduction to mixed martial arts to tracking down a 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 to professional fighting.
“I wrestled and I played football. I saw on TV that Diego Sanchez was fighting on The Ultimate Fighter. I can do it. And then yeah, I went and did it.”
East said he started fighting around age 17, supporting his family and an uncle he called Frank.
His younger brother, Tyler Eastalso made a career in martial arts, and they developed their fighting careers side by side.
East’s nickname “Cargo Train” comes from an early sparring with the former MMA champion Carlos Condit.
According to East, Condit was preparing for the fight Brock Larson
when young Ida connected with a powerful overhand strike.
“I hit him and he said I hit like a train.”
The nickname stuck.
Purpose beyond combat
Although East has dedicated much of his life to combat sports, he finds his most meaningful work to be outside of the combat arena.
East described herself as a clinical social worker who works full-time with people experiencing homelessness and substance abuse.
He said his work involves helping clients achieve sobriety, provide stability and rebuild their lives.
“My family and God are important to me. Fans may know I’m a CSW (Clinical Social Worker). I work with people struggling with homelessness and drug addiction. It’s my full-time job.”
For Ida, the connection between struggle and social work is rooted in discipline, determination, and a willingness to sacrifice short-term gratification for lasting improvement.
“It’s not just about fighting for me. I use discipline, a bit of martial arts, to try to convey that to my clients – denying the meat and not looking for instant gratification.”
East believes these lessons go beyond competition, providing a framework for people working to overcome personal challenges.
“It’s something that’s so common in the world today. We all want instant gratification, and long-term success requires teaching people to work toward long-term goals.”
Looking towards the next challenge
East also expressed interest in a possible cross-promotional event between BKB and rival bare-knuckle organization BKFC.
He believes that BKB fighters would prove themselves in a mutual competition.
“Yeah, if they want to. They’re going to lose. I think we’ve got better fighters on the roster. I think we’re a better show. I think that would be great. Who’s really the best?”
For now, East’s focus 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 ready to push his preferred pace.
His goal is straightforward: put pressure on Villanueva, take advantage of openings and finish the fight before the final bell.
