It’s not how you start but how you finish.
BKB Middleweight Champion Lorawnt “Smash” Nelson overcame a rocky start to knock out challenger Mark Tiffin in the first round Friday in Niagara Falls, New York. The world title bout headlined BKB 53: The Harder They Fall.
Nelson is one of those fighters that seems to start slow. He’s been knocked down early and taken punishment in several bouts before changing gears and taking control.
Against Tiffin, Nelson got caught early with short uppercuts in the clinch.
Mark Tiffin scores a VERY early knockdown in round one! 👀
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/zcoPAb0bsg— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 18, 2026
Smash got up and leveled the knockdown count before he finished Tiffin with a left to the temple.
LT SMASH NELSON JUST KNOCKED OUT MARK TIFFIN! 🚨
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/3teSJ2PzLo— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 18, 2026
Nelson improves to 9-1-1 (8 KOs) with the win. “Smash” also extended his unbeaten streat to eight bouts. He hasn’t lost since a unanimous decision loss to then champion Sam Liera in 2022. Nelson avenged the Liera defeat by first-round KO last June.
Tiffin slips to 5-3 with the loss. The defeat ended a two-fight win streak for the Brit.
Barnard KOs Grant
The other BKB 53 title bout was between lightweight champion Jarod Grant and Jon Barnard. Barnard, who unsuccessfully challenged Harry Gigliotti for the junior welterweight title previously, finally tasted championship gold in his third attempt. He previously faced Grant but the bout was ruled a no contest due to a cut at BKB 48.
This time, there was a clear winner. Barnard folded Grant with a right over the top as Grant clinched and punched.
JON BARNARD IS THE NEW LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION! 🏆
HE DROPPED JARED GRANT IN ROUND ONE! 🚨
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/ZaSKVKIrPg— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 18, 2026
Barnard improves to 5-1 (5 KOs) with the victory. Grant is now 8-3 (6 KOs). Junior lightweight champion Alberto Blas challenged Barnard after the bout.
Other BKB 53 Results
In a super middleweight bout, Rowdy Montgomery (2-0) defeated Brok Weaver (0-2) by unanimous decision.
THAT'S A HUGE CONNECTION FROM MONTGOMERY! 🤯
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/t1dqEr3xyE— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 18, 2026
In a super heavyweight battle, Juan Adams (4-0) remained unbeaten with a first-round stoppage over Nate Roberts (1-2).
ONE SHOT IS ALL IT TOOK FOR JUAN ADAMS! 🚨
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/0KwlCPHeC5— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 18, 2026
Darrian Leu-Pierre (6-0) stopped Joshua Sikes (4-3) in the third round of a lightweight bout.
Joshua Sikes calls an end to his own fight, Darrian Leu Pierre takes the victory! 🤩
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/rTw8hDWn0s— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 18, 2026
Former BYB champion Jose “The GOAT” Fernandez (4-2) had his hands full with the rangy Brandon Shavers (5-1). Fernandez had trouble getting inside on the taller Shavers before Shavers ended the fight in the third with a short punch on the inside.
BRANDON SHAVERS ENDS IT RIGHT AT THE BELL! 🚨
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/M7HwvOViJz— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 18, 2026
In other action, Roberto Duran Jr scored a spectacular fourth-round TKO over Austin Spivey.
KNOCKOUT ALERT! 🚨
ROBERT DURAN JR. JUST SENT AUSTIN SPIVEY THROUGH THE ROPES. 🤯
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/cW8KT6Kpyp— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 18, 2026
A women’s bout kicked off the card. Claudia Zamora defeated Viviane Pereira by third-round TKO.
Claudia Zamora is laying it on in the corner! 📐
Watch #BKB53 live NOW
📺 https://t.co/F10zOLAomX#BKB #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/PA8ZNKsP8u— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle) April 17, 2026
