Old Rivals Franco, Tierney to Rematch at BKFC Birmingham on 30 May

BKFC UK Welterweight Champion Connor Tierney will face European champ Rico Franco for the interim world title on 30 May in Birmingham. BKFC announced the bout Saturday during BKFC Fight Night Newcastle.

It’s a mouth-watering matchup between two of the UK’s best bare knuckle fighters. To make things spicier, the two have a history.

Franco and Tierney (then 3-0 and 1-0) faced each other in a BKB Prizefighter tournament way back in 2019. Franco dropped and stopped Tierney in the first round with a devastating left hook.

Both men have gone on to have win titles and have outstanding bare knuckle careers. Franco (10-3, 7 KOs) went on to defeat the legendary Jimmy Sweeney in two of three battles and challenged for the BKFC world title.

Tierney (9-2, 4 KOs) has won the UK belt and defeated Danny Christie, Jonny Graham, and Joe Elmore. He brings a two-fight win streak into the Franco rematch.

Now, it’s well time to run it back and see who’s the better man in 2026. An interim world title will be added to the winner’s career accolades.

Franco mentioned his previous win during Saturday’s fight announcement. Rico said the rematch gives him the chance to shut Tierney’s mouth after years of trash talk.

“I feel very blessed,” he told BKFC’s Cyrus Fees.

“I’m very grateful to get this opportunity in Birmingham and it’s been six years in the making. Six years of shit talk. When it comes to May the 30th, he’s gonna taste it,” he said.

Tierney, given a chance to avenge his first career loss in his hometown of Birmingham, also expressed gratitude.

“I just wanna say thank you for the opportunity to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship,” he said.

“I told you at the press conference. I’m tall, dark, handsome and dangerous. And 30th of May, I’m going to be interim world champion,” he told Fees.

BKFC President David Feldman told Fees the promotion is “making a complete statement” by matching two of the UK’s best bare knuckle fighters in the Birmingham main event.

“We’re gonna take over combat sports in the UK. Bare knuckle fighting started here and now it’s come full circle,” Feldman added.

“We have Rico Franco, who fought one of the best fights in BKFC history. And Connor Tierney. One of the best fighters in BKFC. And they’re gonna battle it out May 30th in Birmingham.”