by Matt Lo Cascio
Chicago’s Cub Hawkins defends his light heavyweight title Saturday night at BYB Extreme 29: Brawl at the Pines III. Hawkins (5-0) will fight Gregoris Cisneros (3-1), who has finished his last two opponents in the first round.
The combatants are familiar with each other and certainly not mutual admirers. Hawkins choked out Cisneros last year in the first round of their MMA fight at APFC 11, but this time they will leave the gloves behind and let the fists fly.
When asked about the loss to Hawkins, Cisneros shook it off. “I don’t fight for revenge of the past,” Cisneros said. “MMA is one thing and Bare Knuckle is another level with more boxing and Cub Hawkins only beat me by a submission because he ran away from my boxing and looked for the ground fight. I showed that I have more fighting and boxing than him. He felt my power with gloves. This time it’s boxing and we’ll see what happens because he knows I have a lot of power in my two fists.”
Cub Hawkins has finished all four of his opponents in BYB Extreme.
Hawkins is coming off an intense title defense against Ryan Jett in April, when he battered Jett until the doctor stopped it in the fourth round. He remains undefeated in BYB and has finished every opponent. While not looking past Cisneros, he doesn’t believe he’s a worthy challenger for his title.
“I truly believe I have fought better. I think Jett and Lerwell were better matchups. I believe the two guys he fought I would beat in spectacular fashion. I believe he was gifted this fight. He didn’t fight Jett, Lerwell, Ali — so he got lucky,” Hawkins said.
“I feel like the only advantage I have is that fear I put in him of losing again. The pressure mentally on him. And especially now — on the biggest stage of his career.”
Cisneros isn’t acting like a fighter who has already lost to Hawkins. On the contrary, he thinks he will walk through Hawkins and take his belt on Saturday night. “I feel very good for this title fight. It will be an easy fight for me because I am a smart fighter and I know how to frustrate my opponent. This will be an easy fight.”
Hawkins trains to go deep in fights and the Jett fight gave him a chance to show it. He said it greatly increased his confidence and opened his eyes to how he can land more shots. “Finally making it out of the first round felt nice. You realize how many shots open up when opponents are sluggish and their arms feel heavy. I train hard and mentally have what it takes to go six rounds. A lot of fighters don’t.”
Cisneros hasn’t been out of the first round since 2022. He went five rounds in a BKB fight against Joel Calcedo, but those were two-minute rounds. Saturday night’s title fight is scheduled for six rounds, three minutes each.
How to Watch BYB Extreme 29: Brawl at the Pines III
Visit the BYB Extreme website for multiple stream options.
BYB Extreme 29: Brawl at the Pines III Full Card
Cub Hawkins vs. Gregoris Cisneros – Light Heavyweight Championship
Uly Diaz vs. Szymon Szynkiewicz
Robert Duran Jr. vs. Serob Minasyan
Jarod Grant vs. Lukas Jones
Cecilia Ulloa vs. Jessica Link
Yampier Ramirez vs. Kendell Ward
Robert Serna vs. Ryan Jett
Angel Keihl vs. Desiree Davila
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