The highly anticipated rematch between Connor Tierney and Rico Franco is set to headline BKFC 90 this weekend. An undercard competitor with experience in bare-knuckle boxing, George Hillyard, has offered his insights into this main event clash.
Hillyard, who is transitioning from BKB (British Boxing Board of Control) to BKFC, will compete on the same event in Birmingham on May 30th. His fight against Luke Brassfield will take place on the undercard of BKFC 90, which also features Darren Till’s debut in the co-main event.
Reflecting on the first encounter between Franco and Tierney, which also took place in bare-knuckle boxing, Hillyard believes the upcoming rematch will unfold differently. “I do see it being different from the first fight,” Hillyard stated. “I still see the same victor, but I don’t think it will be as quick as people anticipate. I think we’ll see a bit more action from it.”
BKFC 90: A Look Back at Tierney vs. Franco I
The initial bout between Connor Tierney and Rico Franco took place on March 19th, 2019, at BKB 16. In the lightweight prizefighter semi-final, Franco secured a swift knockout victory over Tierney just seconds into the fight. This win propelled Franco to the tournament finals, where he went on to defeat James Connelly.
The loss to Franco marked Tierney’s first defeat in bare-knuckle boxing. Now, the two fighters are set to face off again under the BKFC banner in a new decade. Both have achieved European and UK championship success in BKFC, but neither has yet claimed a world title with the promotion. This weekend’s interim welterweight championship bout offers a chance for one of them to take a significant step towards that goal, in what promises to be a compelling ‘repeat or revenge’ scenario.
BKFC 90: Connor Tierney vs. Rico Franco II – In-depth Analysis
The upcoming BKFC 90 welterweight title rematch between Connor Tierney and Rico Franco is generating significant buzz. George Hillyard, a seasoned bare-knuckle fighter with previous experience in BKB, has weighed in on the highly anticipated headline bout. Hillyard, who is set to compete on the same BKFC 90 card, predicts Rico Franco will emerge victorious once again, though he anticipates a more extended and action-packed contest than their initial meeting.
The first encounter between Tierney and Franco occurred on March 19th, 2019, at BKB 16. Franco secured a decisive knockout victory in the opening seconds of the lightweight prizefighter semi-final. This win propelled Franco to the tournament finals, where he clinched the title against James Connelly. The loss was Tierney’s first in bare-knuckle boxing.
Now, under the BKFC banner, Tierney and Franco will settle their rivalry for the interim welterweight belt. Both fighters have held regional titles within the promotion, but a world championship remains elusive for both. This rematch presents a significant opportunity for one of them to advance their claim to world championship status.
English Translation:
BKFC 90: Ex-BKB Vet Predicts Another Big Rico Franco Win Over Connor Tierney
Connor Tierney and Rico Franco are set to face each other again this weekend, and an undercard combatant at BKFC 90 has shared his thoughts on the headlining bout. The rematch, Tierney vs. Franco II, for the interim BKFC welterweight belt, will take place in Birmingham on May 30th.
The fighter offering his perspective on this championship contest is George Hillyard, who is making the transition from BKB (British Boxing Board of Control) Bare Knuckle. Hillyard is scheduled to fight Luke Brassfield on the same event, which will also feature Darren Till’s BKFC debut in the co-main event. The initial fight between Franco and Tierney occurred in BKB, where Hillyard also competed in gloveless combat.
The first encounter between the two UK standouts was a very brief affair. When asked if he anticipates the Tierney-Franco rematch to unfold significantly differently at BKFC 90, Hillyard stated, “Yes, I do. Well, I don’t see it being the same way as [the first fight]. I still see the same victor, but I don’t think it’ll be as quick as what people think it’s going to be, if that makes sense. I think we’ll see a little bit more action from it.”
BKFC 90 Connor Tierney vs. Rico Franco II: A Historical Overview
The Connor Tierney vs. Rico Franco II rematch is a truly intriguing sequel, with several notable factors to consider leading up to BKFC 90. Franco and Tierney first battled at BKB 16 on March 19th, 2019, at Indigo at the O2 in Greenwich. In the lightweight prizefighter semi-final, ‘Bon Bon’ secured one of his most impressive victories in bare-knuckle boxing.
Franco finished Tierney with a knockout that occurred mere seconds into the bout, advancing the former to the prizefighter tournament finals, which Franco went on to win outright against the now-iconic James Connelly.
That loss marked Tierney’s first defeat in bare-knuckle boxing, but they are now running it back under a new promotional banner and in a new decade. Both combatants have held European and UK titles within Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, and despite Franco having previously vied for world gold, neither has captured a world championship in BKFC. All of that could change this weekend when the two engage in a classic ‘repeat or revenge’ dance for the interim 165-pound strap awarded to the winner.
