The highly anticipated BKFC 90 event on May 30th will feature a significant bout for the BKFC interim welterweight championship between Connor Tierney and Rico Franco. Weighing in on this high-stakes rematch is LT Nelson, a fighter who has a notable history with Franco.
Nelson, who recently defended his BKB middleweight title with a decisive knockout at BKB 53, has faced prominent UK fighters in his bare-knuckle boxing career. His first bare-knuckle encounter was against Rico Franco at BYB 10 in May 2022, where Nelson, known as ‘Smash,’ secured a significant victory over the established veteran ‘BonBon’ by second-round stoppage. Franco himself is a former BKB Prizefighter lightweight tournament champion, having previously defeated Connor Tierney by a swift first-round knockout at BKB 16 in March 2019.
When asked about the upcoming rematch between Tierney and Franco, several years after their initial meeting, Nelson shared his perspective:
“I’m not really sure. I don’t pay huge, huge attention to all of that. But I know Rico Franco’s a gangster. Since that first fight, if he’s like me, he’s working and getting better all the time. I’m not really big on watching that [Connor] Tierney guy fight. So I’m not really; don’t really know much about him. But I know he’s a badass. I’ve heard good things.”
Continuing his analysis of the looming interim BKFC title clash at 165 pounds, set to take place in the United Kingdom, Nelson elaborated:
“Rico, it’s just; that’s going to be another banger. You know what I’m saying? I know both of them are going to try to stand toe to toe to toe, but they do have good boxing technique and stuff. So, it’ll be a different kind of technical toe-to-toe war if you will. Big, big power to Rico. I think Rico can take that. He’s a G, man. He’s got lots of skills and the best to him.”
BKFC 90: Tierney vs. Franco 2 – A Technical War Expected, According to LT Nelson
LT Nelson, a former opponent of Rico Franco, anticipates an exciting and technically proficient slugfest when Franco faces Connor Tierney for the BKFC interim welterweight title at BKFC 90.
Nelson, who defeated Franco in their previous bare-knuckle encounter, acknowledged Franco’s fighting spirit and potential for growth. He also noted Tierney’s reputation as a formidable opponent, despite not closely following his fights. Nelson predicts that the rematch will be a “technical toe-to-toe war,” highlighting the fighters’ boxing skills and power. He expressed confidence in Franco’s ability to perform well in the bout, describing him as a skilled and resilient competitor.
