Rivalry over.
Rico Franco knocked Connor Tierney down five times en route to a second-round knockout victory. The welterweight title bout headlined BKFC 90 Saturday at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.
Franco knocked out Tierney previously in 2019 and had said he listened to “six years of shit talk” from Tierney about the fight.
On Saturday, he left no doubt about who’s the better bare knuckle fighter.
Franco feinted and moved his upper body as he pressed Tierney, who kept his guard high. A Franco right dropped Tierney around the 30-second mark.
Franco continued the pressure as Tierney looked for openings. When the two exchanged, Franco had a clear edge in power. He dropped Tierney with a counter right and just before the first round ended with a heavy left hook to the jaw.
Tierney bravely got up and went back to his corner, swelling noticeable on his right cheekbone and forehead. Franco knocked Tierney down again early in the second, before ending the fight with a huge right to the chin that bent Tierney’s right leg on the way to the canvas. The referee waved the fight off during the count.
“Listen, I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life and I fucking love everybody,” Franco told BKFC’s Cyrus Fees after the fight.
“Massive fair play to Connor Tierney. It’s been seven years and he’s been the best version.”
“My mindset now is invincible. (BKFC Welterweight Champion) Dustin Pague, come to England. I’m going to take your fucking belt off ya, take your teeth out your mouth. Let’s go.”
Darren Till Rises from Knockdown, Knocks Out Aaron Chalmers
Former UFC star Darren Till successfully debuted in the co-feature.
Till knocked out former Geordie Shore cast member and professional fighter Aaron Chalmers in the second round of their light heavyweight bout.
Round one was a feeling out round. Chalmers scored the biggest blow, landing a left hand that dropped Till to a knee for a knockdown.
Early in round two, Till landed a left during an exchange that knocked Chalmers to his knees. Chalmers was badly hurt and shook his head as the referee counted to ten.
“I was made for this,” Till said of fighting bare knuckle.
Phillips KOs Barrett
In the BKFC 90 featured fight, John “White Tyson” Phillips knocked out veteran Ryan “Cockroach” Barrett in the first round.
Barrett landed some rights and cut Phillips under the left eye before a Phillips left landed near Barrett’s right temple and wobbled him.
Phillips got a one hand Thai plum and unloaded. He dropped Barrett for the count with a right uppercut.
After the bout, Phillips gave Barrett’s cornerwoman Meghan “The Witch” O’Neill the double middle finger. Words between the camps were exchanged at Thursday’s press conference.
BKFC 90: Full Results
Rico Franco def. Connor Tierney-KO Round 2
Darren Till def. Aaron Chalmers-TKO Round 2
Brian Hyslop def. Jonno Chipchase-Unanimous Decision
George Thorpe def. Leigh Cohoon-Unanimous Decision
Michael Lesniak def. Martin McDonough-TKO Round 4
Liam Hutchinson def. Simeon Ottley-Unanimous Decision
Paul O’Sullivan def. Paul Hilz-Unanimous Decision
Tommy Hawthorn def. Will Smith-TKO Round 3
Kris Trezise def. Luke Brassfield-TKO Round 4
Lucasz Parobiec def. Kaseem Saleem-TKO Round 4
Nathan Leeson def. Stevie Davenport-TKO Round 3
Photos and Video Courtesy of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
