
Conor McGregor watched as one BKFC star was left requiring “major surgery” after Saturday’s main event.
All eyes were on Darren Till’s debut at BKFC 90, which took place at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England.
But the ex-UFC star’s victory over reality TV star Aaron Chalmers did not close out the card, as the headlining spot was reserved for an interim welterweight title fight between Rico Franco and Connor Tierney.
Five knockdowns demonstrated Franco’s dominance on the night. While he went home with a new piece of gold, Tierney headed straight to the hospital.
The BKFC 90 main event ended after a brutal right hand folded Tierney with less than a minute left in round two.
Incredibly, four knockdowns had already taken place before the finish, but one of the times Tierney was sent to the canvas was due to a headbutt that did significant damage.
Conor McGregor, a part-owner of the bare-knuckle boxing organization, re-shared footage of the devastating broken jaw that the ‘Brum Town Bomber’ suffered from the headbutt on his Instagram Stories.
“Wow! Rico Franco absolutely flawless,” the UFC star initially wrote in reaction to the fight. “Tierney as tough as they come.
“Major surgery ahead. We’ve got you champ,” he added.
In another post, McGregor described bare-knuckle boxing as the “most unforgiving” sport but insisted he still “can’t wait to do it.”
Fans can see the grim footage of Tierney’s injury here, but viewer discretion is advised.
OH MY GOD RICO FRANCO DOMINATED! YOUR NEW INTERIM WELTERWEIGHT CHAMP! #BKFC90 pic.twitter.com/LvAJTBgEI4
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) May 30, 2026
Tierney posted his own statement on social media ahead of what is likely to be a long road to recovery.
“Regardless of what happened, I’ll announce what’s next in the coming days,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories.
“As you can see I’m not in a good way. I’m tired, overwhelmed, and in pain.
McGregor has long teased a BKFC venture, having become a prominent part of the organization’s promotional efforts.
For now, McGregor’s focus is on his UFC 329 comeback. That is one of two fights remaining on the Irishman’s contract, meaning the door could be open for a bare-knuckle venture in 2027.
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