The upcoming BKFC 90 event on May 30th will feature an interim welterweight championship bout between Connor Tierney and Rico Franco II. LT Nelson, who previously defeated Franco, has offered his perspective on this significant matchup.
Nelson, the reigning BKB middleweight champion, recently defended his title with a knockout victory. He has a notable history with UK fighters, including his past encounter with Rico Franco at BYB 10 in May 2022, where Nelson secured a win via second-round stoppage. Franco himself is a former BKB lightweight tournament champion, having previously knocked out Connor Tierney in the first round at BKB 16 in March 2019.
When asked about the anticipated rematch between Franco and Tierney in the BKFC, Nelson, speaking to Bare Knuckle Bowker, admitted he wasn’t entirely focused on the fight but acknowledged Franco’s toughness and continuous improvement. He expressed limited knowledge of Tierney but acknowledged his reputation as a formidable fighter.
“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.”
Further elaborating on the impending interim BKFC title clash at 165 pounds, Nelson predicted a different kind of confrontation.
“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.”