Ryan Petersen Reddit BKFC interview on his TKO and next fight

Ryan Petersen Reddit BKFC interview with Reddit BKFC covered his TKO win in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the break he wants before another fight, and the work he does at World Kickboxing WKX in Fortuna, California. Petersen said he stayed aware while taking punches, recovered quickly despite needing about 15 stitches, and hopes to spend more time with his wife and children.

What did Ryan Petersen say about fighting in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

Ryan Petersen said Bethlehem appealed to him before he arrived because of its name and his Christian faith. Once there, he was taken with its churches, older homes and steelmaking history. He also said the Pennsylvania crowd treated him with respect, including when he fought Dustin, and he felt honored to headline the card.

Churches and steel mills in Bethlehem

Petersen, who attends an Orthodox Church, explored Bethlehem after flying into Philadelphia and driving to the city. He visited historic churches and an old school, and recalled sitting in pews he understood to date from the 1700s. A plaque at one church listed visitors including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. He described the town as clean, welcoming and somewhere a family might want to live.

On the drive in, he noticed older houses with candles in their windows, along with a crane, a train trestle and steel mills. Exploring unfamiliar places is one of his favorite parts of traveling for fights, he said, and Bethlehem gave him plenty to see beyond the venue.

How did Ryan Petersen win by TKO after the early onslaught?

Ryan Petersen said he was confident in his right hand before the fight because it had been putting training partners down in the gym. His opponent attacked early, but Petersen said he remained calm, kept his hands up and continued throwing. He eventually landed the decisive shot and won by TKO, though he could not say why his opponent did not continue.

Staying active with Andrew Glenn refereeing

Petersen said he was aware of Andrew Glenn during the onslaught and wanted the referee to see that he was still active. He learned Glenn would officiate only when he entered the ring, but had already considered how he would respond if Glenn was assigned. Petersen said he did not feel close to going down, while acknowledging that he could not stay under attack indefinitely.

He rejected the suggestion that he should have taken a knee. Petersen put his view most plainly when he said:

I got as much business taking a knee as I do just hopping outside of the ring

Afterward, Petersen estimated that he had about 15 stitches. He said his face was healing quickly, with a little black eye, and that his cheeks and jaw felt fine. He had asked what prevented his opponent from continuing but did not get a clear answer. Their exchanges outside the action were cordial: Petersen said they shook hands before the fight and embraced afterward.

Who does Ryan Petersen want to fight next in BKFC?

Ryan Petersen said he has not called out Bryce, despite talk of a possible matchup, and respects his ability. He usually takes the opponents offered to him, but believes he should have some say after this win. Before any next fight, he wants time to recover and be with his wife and children.

A possible Bryce fight and a needed break

Petersen said Bryce is talented and a difficult opponent, but calling fighters out is not his style. He does not want his career to become a pattern of moving up and down between fights. When this Bethlehem matchup was offered, he told his coach he saw it as an opportunity he had to take.

A proposed card in Hershey, Pennsylvania, would come too soon for him. Petersen mentioned that something felt wrong with his ring finger and said his family had been going hard for some time. He wants a break rather than an immediate return, even though he enjoys fighting in Pennsylvania and believes its crowds respect the effort he brings.

What is Ryan Petersen doing at World Kickboxing WKX?

Ryan Petersen said World Kickboxing WKX in Fortuna, California, has many children training and that he would welcome more adults, whether they want to compete, get fit or learn to defend themselves. He sees the gym as a way to build a stronger community and help young people develop better habits through jujitsu, kickboxing and boxing.

Some of the children come from families already supporting them, he said, while others arrived with troubles and have begun moving in a better direction. Petersen wants them to find a pursuit that holds their attention and to understand that repeated choices can shape their lives.

He also said an officer he knew from a brief period at a Washington high school had connected him with a teacher working with at-risk students. Petersen planned to speak to classes by Zoom about good habits and avoiding wasted time. He said he had dropped out in eighth grade, giving that message a personal basis.

How did Ryan Petersen adjust to a different corner in Bethlehem?

Ryan Petersen said his usual cornerman, Jay, could not make the Bethlehem fight because he was at a UFC event with Lupe Codines. Dustin and Dan joined Petersen’s corner, while another cornerman had traveled from Canada to California to help him train. In the fight, recognizing Dan’s voice took Petersen longer than hearing Jay normally does.

Finding Dan’s voice during the fight

Petersen had warned Dan beforehand that the adjustment might take a moment. Jay’s instructions are so familiar, he said, that he can normally pick them out through a crowd. He struggled to hear Dan at first, even though Dan was shouting loudly enough to be heard when Petersen later watched the fight.

Once he identified the voice, Petersen said, he could respond. He recalled Dan calling for him to circle right around the time the decisive shot landed. The experience reinforced his view that a fighter needs one corner voice he can reliably follow.

His family had not traveled with him, making the trip especially difficult. Petersen said his oldest son wants to be in his corner one day, though he did not know the age requirement. For now, he is unsure whether bringing his family to a fight would help or make it harder to stay focused on competing.

How does Ryan Petersen balance homesteading with fighting?

Ryan Petersen said the work on his property continues around fight camps. After Bethlehem, he had fallen trees to cut, firewood racks to fill and brush to clear before winter rain. Sheep and goats help manage parts of the land. He understands why people are curious about that routine, even though it feels ordinary to him.

Firewood, animals and winter preparation

Petersen counted several fallen pines that needed cutting and said another tree had damaged a fence during fight camp. The sheep could roam more of the property, though a gate kept them contained; goats were clearing an area with poison oak. He also had turkeys to prepare for Thanksgiving. He said they had not planted a garden that year.

Sharing this side of his life online has drawn attention from people unfamiliar with how he lives. Petersen said roughly a million people had looked at his Instagram despite his modest following. He likes being outdoors and left to his work, but recognizes that the combination of fighting and life on the property interests others.

What did Ryan Petersen say about wrestling, Ice Wars and attention after the win?

Ryan Petersen said he watches little television, but still enjoys old-school professional wrestling and values the personalities around Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. He was open to trying an Ice Wars fight after his BKFC career, while stressing that he cannot skate. The attention following his TKO has been welcome, though he knows it will not last without more work.

Old-school wrestling and BKFC voices

Petersen named Psycho Sid as his all-time favorite wrestler and also mentioned the Ultimate Warrior and Rowdy Roddy Piper. He praised Brian Socia for the energy he brings to BKFC promotions. Petersen said Jeff Houston’s absence from this fight did not affect him once he was focused on competing, though he admired Houston’s commanding voice.

Ice Wars and the response to his TKO

Ice Wars might be fun as a one-off after he finishes with BKFC, Petersen said, but balancing and punching on skates looked difficult to him. Following the Bethlehem win, his phone filled with messages and interview requests. Part of him wanted to retreat to the woods; another part reminded him to appreciate the interest. Petersen expects that attention to fade and believes he must keep building on the win.