Ali Akbar Rosady
Birmingham, England – Former UFC contender Darren Till marked a spectacular bare-knuckle boxing debut, stopping reality television personality Aaron Chalmers in the second round of their highly anticipated light heavyweight contest at BKFC 90 on Saturday afternoon. In the main event, Connor Tierney exacted revenge against Rico Franco, claiming the interim BKFC welterweight title with a gritty fourth-round technical knockout at the Utilita Arena. The card, which also featured several other compelling bouts, solidified BKFC’s growing presence in the UK combat sports landscape.
The spotlight entering BKFC 90 was undeniably fixed on Darren Till (1-0 BKFC), the Liverpool native making his first foray into bare-knuckle fighting after a decorated, albeit challenging, career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Till, known for his striking prowess and southpaw stance, had departed the UFC following a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis in December 2022, seeking a new challenge and a fresh start. His opponent, Aaron Chalmers (2-1 BKFC), had built a solid, undefeated record within BKFC following a transition from mixed martial arts and a prior career in reality television. Chalmers, with wins over Alex Montagnani and Anthony Holmes in his previous bare-knuckle outings, presented a formidable, if less technically refined, challenge.
The co-main event unfolded with palpable tension. From the opening bell, Till utilized his significant reach and superior footwork to control the distance, landing crisp jabs and straight lefts that quickly began to mark Chalmers’ face. Chalmers, displaying characteristic toughness, attempted to close the distance and engage in brawling exchanges, but Till’s defensive head movement and timely counters largely mitigated the threat. In the second round, a powerful left hook from Till stunned Chalmers, sending him stumbling. Till followed up with a barrage of punches, backing Chalmers against the ropes. Although Chalmers attempted to clinch, Till broke free and landed a final, concussive right hand that sent Chalmers to the canvas. The referee immediately stepped in at 1:47 of the second round, declaring Till the winner by knockout. The victory showcased Till’s adaptation to the bare-knuckle format, demonstrating his power translates effectively without gloves. Post-fight, Till expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "It’s a different beast, but I felt right at home. This is just the beginning." Chalmers, while disappointed, acknowledged Till’s skill, remarking, "He caught me clean. No excuses, he was the better man tonight."
The main event delivered on its promise of a captivating rematch for the interim BKFC welterweight title. Connor Tierney (5-1 BKFC), fighting out of Wales, stepped into the ring determined to erase the memory of his first encounter with Rico Franco (3-2 BKFC) from March 30, 2019, when Franco secured a devastating first-round knockout at BKB 16. That prior loss had haunted Tierney, fueling a disciplined approach to his bare-knuckle career, which had seen him accumulate four subsequent victories. Franco, meanwhile, had established himself as a dangerous puncher within the bare-knuckle circuit, eager to reassert his dominance over Tierney and claim the interim belt.
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The rematch proved to be a stark contrast to their initial meeting. From the outset, Tierney adopted a more cautious and tactical approach, utilizing head movement and lateral footwork to avoid Franco’s powerful initial rushes. He worked behind a consistent jab, peppering Franco and slowly chipping away at his defenses. Franco, ever the aggressor, landed several heavy hooks in the second round, opening a cut above Tierney’s left eye, which required attention from the ringside doctor. However, Tierney’s resolve remained unshaken. In the third round, Tierney began to find his rhythm, landing combinations that started to visibly wear on Franco. The tide turned decisively in the fourth round. After a fierce exchange in the center of the ring, Tierney landed a precise left hook that visibly wobbled Franco. Sensing his opportunity, Tierney unleashed a flurry of unanswered punches, cornering Franco and forcing the referee to intervene at 2:03 of the fourth round, awarding Tierney the technical knockout victory and the interim BKFC welterweight championship. The victory was a significant milestone for Tierney, not only avenging his prior loss but also securing his first major bare-knuckle title. "This is for everyone who doubted me after the first fight," an emotional Tierney stated after the bout. "I worked relentlessly for this. Rico is a warrior, but tonight was my night." Franco, gracious in defeat, congratulated Tierney, acknowledging the improvement in his opponent’s game.
The undercard at BKFC 90 also provided several notable performances and intriguing matchups. Veteran UFC middleweight John Phillips (1-0 BKFC) made a successful bare-knuckle debut against Ryan Barrett (0-1 BKFC) in a spirited light heavyweight clash. Phillips, known for his knockout power in the cage, demonstrated that his heavy hands translated effectively without gloves, securing a first-round technical knockout victory. His aggressive style and ability to finish fights quickly could make him a compelling addition to the BKFC roster.
Further down the main card, Jonno Chipchase (2-1 BKFC) secured a unanimous decision victory over Brian Hyslop (1-2 BKFC) in a competitive bout that showcased both fighters’ grit and endurance. George Thorpe (3-0 BKFC) maintained his undefeated record, defeating Leigh Cohoon (1-1 BKFC) via TKO in the third round of their middleweight contest, demonstrating powerful combinations and relentless pressure. Michal Lesniak (1-1 BKFC) earned a hard-fought split decision win against Martin McDonough (1-1 BKFC), while Liam Hutchinson (2-0 BKFC) continued his impressive run with a second-round TKO over Simeon Ottley (0-1 BKFC). Paul O’Sullivan (1-0 BKFC) defeated Paul Hilz (0-1 BKFC) by unanimous decision, and Tommy Hawthorn (1-0 BKFC) made a memorable debut, stopping Will Smith (0-1 BKFC) via first-round TKO.
The preliminary card set the stage for the evening’s main attractions with a series of decisive finishes. Lucasz Parobiec (2-0 BKFC) secured a fourth-round TKO victory over Kaseem Saleem (0-1 BKFC) at 0:47, displaying superior stamina and technique as the fight progressed. Nathan Leeson (1-0 BKFC) also made a strong impression in his debut, stopping Stevie Devenport (0-1 BKFC) via third-round TKO at 1:29. The opening bout of the evening saw Kris Trezis (1-0 BKFC) defeat Luke Brassfield (0-1 BKFC) by unanimous decision in a back-and-forth affair that highlighted the raw intensity of bare-knuckle fighting.
BKFC 90, broadcast live on the BKFC app, demonstrated the promotion’s strategic focus on the UK market, leveraging the strong local interest in combat sports and the appeal of established names like Till alongside rising bare-knuckle specialists. The Utilita Arena in Birmingham provided a fitting backdrop for the evening’s action, with a raucous crowd contributing to the electric atmosphere. The event underscored the unique appeal of bare-knuckle boxing, combining the rawness of street fighting with the structure of professional combat sports, governed by specific rules regarding striking, clinching, and hand wraps.
With Darren Till’s successful debut and Connor Tierney’s championship triumph, BKFC 90 is poised to be a significant event in the promotion’s calendar. Till’s future in bare-knuckle boxing is now a major talking point, with potential matchups against other high-profile fighters in the light heavyweight division. Tierney, as the interim welterweight champion, will likely look towards a unification bout with the undisputed champion in due course. The event’s overall success signals continued growth for BKFC, particularly as it expands its international footprint and continues to attract both seasoned veterans and new talent to the burgeoning sport.
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