BKFC 90 is set to feature a highly anticipated rematch between Connor Tierney and Rico Franco for the interim BKFC welterweight championship. A former BKB (Bare Knuckle Boxing) competitor, George Hillyard, has shared his insights on the upcoming headlining bout.
Hillyard, who is also competing at BKFC 90 on May 30th in Birmingham, believes that while Rico Franco will emerge victorious again, the fight will be more drawn out than their previous encounter. “I still see it being the same victorious, but I donโt think itโll be as quick as what people think itโs going to be,” Hillyard stated. He anticipates more action and a less abrupt conclusion compared to their first fight.
The initial fight between Franco and Tierney took place at BKB 16 on March 19th, 2019. In that bout, Franco secured a swift knockout victory early in the first round, advancing to the prizefighter lightweight final, which he went on to win. This marked Tierney’s first loss in bare-knuckle boxing.
Now, the two UK standouts are set to clash again under the BKFC banner. Both fighters have previously held European and UK titles within BKFC, but neither has yet secured a world championship. The winner of this rematch will claim the interim 165-pound welterweight belt, adding a significant prize to their accomplishments.
English Translation:
BKFC 90 will see another big Rico Franco win over Connor Tierney, per ex-BKB vet.
Connor Tierney and Rico Franco are set to have their rematch this weekend, with an undercard fighter at BKFC 90 weighing in on the main event. The bout, Tierney vs. Franco II, will take place in Birmingham on May 30th for the interim BKFC welterweight belt.
The fighter who offered his perspective on this upcoming championship contest is George Hillyard, a crossover athlete from BKB Bare Knuckle, who is scheduled to fight Luke Brassfield. This fight is part of the same event that will also feature Darren Till’s BKFC debut in the co-main event. The first fight between Franco and Tierney occurred in BKB, where Hillyard also competed in gloveless combat.
Their initial encounter was a very short fight. When asked if he expected the Tierney-Franco rematch to unfold much differently at BKFC 90, Hillyard commented, “Yeah, I do. I do. Well, I donโt see it being the same way as [the first fight]. I still see it being the same victorious, but I donโt think itโll be as quick as what people think itโs going to be, if that makes sense. I think weโll see a little bit more action from it.”
Historical Overview of BKFC 90 Connor Tierney vs. Rico Franco II:
Connor Tierney vs. Rico Franco II presents an intriguing sequel clash with notable factors to consider leading up to BKFC 90. The pair first fought at BKB 16 on March 19th, 2019, at Indigo at the O2 in Greenwich. In the prizefighter lightweight semi-final, ‘Bon Bon’ achieved one of his most impressive victories in bare-knuckle boxing.
Franco defeated Tierney with a knockout just seconds into the bout, advancing him to the prizefighter tournament finals, which Franco ultimately won against the well-known fighter James Connelly.
This loss marked Tierney’s first defeat in bare-knuckle boxing. Now, they are set to compete again under a new promotional banner and in a new decade. Both competitors have held European and UK titles in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Although Franco has previously competed for world gold, neither has yet captured a world championship in BKFC. This weekend, as they engage in a classic ‘repeat or revenge’ scenario, the winner will be awarded the interim 165-pound strap.
