Missoulas Lloyd “Cupcake” Mix returns to the fight

Headliner the event is a mere box between the Lloyd “Cupcake” mix and the former UFC fighter Justin “Guitar Hero” Jaynes at 165 pounds.

“I wear Montana on my shoulders all the time,” Mix told 406 MT Sports. “I wear Montana equipment. I always want to make you proud.

“When this bell rings, I know that I’m ready to go. I hope he (Jaynes) comes as much energy. It will be a damn good fight.”

It was a few busy years for the 40-year mix.

After leaving Pro Combat Sport for over five years, he returned to his bare Knuckle Boxing debut against Brett Fields in 2021. He won through Knockout in the first round.

After he got into sport for the money – at that time, mix worked two jobs and over 70 hours a week – he quickly fell in love with the style. Since then he has won another box against Dallas Davidson against Dallas Davidson in 2023 and lost an MMA event against Gage Saunders last winter. He also found a full -time job as a painter at public schools in Missoula County.

Mix brings a 2-0 box record with 2-0 to Friday evening.

“There are fewer injuries that are difficult to believe,” said Mix about Bare Knuckle Boxing. “But it is.”

Bare Knuckle boxes differs from MMA in the way you would expect. There is no floor game, no takedowns; No gloves either. Matt Powers, one of Missoula’s coaches, said the fists act as “little hammer” in sports.

Roads become exponentially more frequently and lead to more stops before a fight ends in a floor and pound. In addition, sport emphasizes strategic demeanor.

“If you can just do as hard,” said Powers, “you will break your hands.”

When the strikes land, they say, they feel different from strikes with gloves.

“Much different,” added Mix.

Jaynes, Mix’s opposition, brings a long curriculum vitae. Stints both in the UFC and in the Bellator, a summarized 2-5 record, brought Jaynes to struggle in Las Vegas and under the brightest lights. Experience can only help the 35-year-old.

“He is used to the pressure. He is used to all of this,” said Powers from Jaynes.

Mix said he thinks he should have an advantage in both speeds and in his range, although he found that both fighters like to get into space.

“I think there will be a lot of trade. It will be a very exciting fight,” said Mix.

The Missoula native predicted a knockout in the fourth round.

“Lloyd began to fight Missoula since it was popular,” said Powers about mix. “When we started to fight, it was not considered a sport, it was not hugged. It was more of a type of sideshow.

“He loves this city. He loves the fact that he comes from Montana. He really believes that we do not have their division-i wrestling champion, but have people who have worked for everything they have.

“And you can do a lot with work morality.”

Garrett Graves, a former security of Montana Grizzly, is also fighting against the map on Friday, which was in the 2024 squad, who reached the FCS National Championship. He will give his MMA debut in a light heavyweight (205 pounds) against Mike Rieken (1-1) from Rapid City, South Dakota.

Graves was appointed to the All-Big Sky team for his work in special teams in 2023.