BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns to Pennsylvania on Friday, October 9, as BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem takes over the Wind Creek Event Center with an action-packed lineup featuring established veterans, undefeated prospects, and local fighters looking to make their mark inside the Squared Circle.
The event will be headlined by an explosive welterweight showdown between Gregoris “The Venezuelan Viper” Cisneros (5-2) and Ryan “Ryu” Petersen (3-2).
BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem will take place at the Wind Creek Event Center, located approximately 60 miles north of Philadelphia. Doors open at 7 p.m. ET, with the first bell scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Tickets are available now through BKFC.
Gregoris Cisneros vs. Ryan Petersen Headlines BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem
The main event features two fighters entering the matchup with momentum.
Chicago’s Cisneros returns to action following a spectacular first-round knockout victory over Cameron VanCamp on June 26, 2026, in Hammond, Indiana. Known as “The Venezuelan Viper,” Cisneros has compiled a 5-2 record and will look to continue his climb in the competitive BKFC welterweight division.
Standing across from him will be Humboldt County, California’s Ryan “Ryu” Petersen.
Petersen earned an impressive unanimous decision victory over Daniel Keepers on May 22, 2026, in Palm Desert, California, improving his BKFC record to 3-2. The clash with Cisneros presents another significant opportunity for Petersen to establish himself as a serious contender.
With both fighters coming off victories, the October 9 main event could have important implications for the BKFC welterweight division.
Undefeated Lex Ludlow Meets Brock Walker in Cruiserweight Co-Main Event
The co-main event will feature one of Pennsylvania’s rising bare-knuckle stars when undefeated Philadelphia fighter Lex “The Grizzly Bear” Ludlow (4-0) takes on Brock “Alpha Dawg” Walker (2-2) in cruiserweight action.
Ludlow has quickly become a fighter to watch under the BKFC banner.
Most recently, the Philadelphia-based fighter delivered a memorable hometown performance at the Liberty Brawl event on July 3, 2026, scoring a stunning first-round knockout over Drew Nolan at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Now undefeated at 4-0, Ludlow will attempt to keep his perfect record intact against Walker, a fighter from Big Stone, Virginia, who enters the matchup looking to derail one of the promotion’s emerging prospects.
Jay Haas and Mike Liberto Set for BKFC Debuts
BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem will also feature several highly anticipated promotional debuts.
York, Pennsylvania native Jay Haas will make his first appearance under the BKFC banner when he faces Antonio “The Mexican Muscle” Castillo Jr. (0-1) in a lightweight matchup.
Meanwhile, Bethlehem’s own Mike “The Bethlehem Brawler” Liberto will step into the Squared Circle for his BKFC debut against Jojo Schillizzi (0-1) of Williamston, North Carolina, in a light heavyweight contest.
With hometown support expected for both Pennsylvania fighters, the October 9 event provides a major opportunity for Haas and Liberto to make immediate statements.
BKFC Veterans and Newcomers Fill Out Bethlehem Fight Card
The remainder of the BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem card features a diverse collection of experienced bare-knuckle fighters and newcomers.
In welterweight action, Christian “The Terminator” Torres (2-6) of Johnson, New York, will face Altoona, Pennsylvania native Brett “Showtime” Shoenfelt (0-1).
The women’s flyweight division will also be represented as “Ruthless” Taylor Dagner (0-0-1) of Senatobia, Mississippi, battles Marisol Ruelas (0-2) of Woodridge, Illinois.
Veteran bantamweight Travis “The Animal” Thompson (6-8) of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, returns to action against Salt Lake City native Nick “Nicky No Holds Barz” Burgos (0-2).
The heavyweight division will feature New Jersey’s Brian Newman making his BKFC debut against Mark Culp (0-1).
In the ironweight division, Williamsport, Pennsylvania’s Lewis “The Beast” Rumsey (2-5) takes on BKFC newcomer Maurice “Mayhem” Morris of Charlotte, North Carolina.
The card will also include a heavyweight battle between newcomers Nathaniel James and Marc Worthington.
BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem Continues Promotion’s Pennsylvania Expansion
BKFC continues to showcase regional talent and emerging prospects across the United States, and the October 9 event in Bethlehem gives several Pennsylvania-area fighters an opportunity to compete in front of a hometown crowd.
From the welterweight main event between Gregoris Cisneros and Ryan Petersen to the undefeated Lex Ludlow’s cruiserweight showdown with Brock Walker, BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem features a blend of proven fighters and new talent looking to establish themselves in bare-knuckle fighting.
With multiple local fighters competing on the card and the Wind Creek Event Center serving as the backdrop, October 9 is shaping up to be another significant night for BKFC and combat sports fans in Pennsylvania.
BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem: Event Details
Event: BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem
Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Venue: Wind Creek Event Center
Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Address: 77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18015
Doors Open: 7 p.m. ET
First Bell: 8 p.m. ET
BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem Fight Card
Main Event — Welterweight
Gregoris “The Venezuelan Viper” Cisneros (5-2) vs. Ryan “Ryu” Petersen (3-2)
Co-Main Event — Cruiserweight
Lex “The Grizzly Bear” Ludlow (4-0) vs. Brock “Alpha Dawg” Walker (2-2)
Feature Fight — Lightweight
Jay Haas vs. Antonio “The Mexican Muscle” Castillo Jr. (0-1)
Light Heavyweight
Mike “The Bethlehem Brawler” Liberto vs. Jojo Schillizzi (0-1)
Welterweight
Christian “The Terminator” Torres (2-6) vs. Brett “Showtime” Shoenfelt (0-1)
Women’s Flyweight
“Ruthless” Taylor Dagner (0-0-1) vs. Marisol Ruelas (0-2)
Bantamweight
Travis “The Animal” Thompson (6-8) vs. Nick “Nicky No Holds Barz” Burgos (0-2)
Heavyweight
Brian Newman vs. Mark Culp (0-1)
Ironweight
Lewis “The Beast” Rumsey (2-5) vs. Maurice “Mayhem” Morris
Heavyweight
Nathaniel James vs. Marc Worthington
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and is also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer. He’s also the main photographer for the 4CornersMafia Car Club.
Tags: Bare Knuckle Boxing, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, Bethlehem PA, BKFC, BKFC Fight Night Bethlehem, Brock Walker, Combat Sports News, Gregoris Cisneros, Jay Haas, Lex Ludlow, Mike Liberto, Pennsylvania MMA, Ryan Petersen, Travis Thompson
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