Connor Tierney and Jonny Graham Will Battle For Inaugural UK Welterweight Title

August 6, 2024

2 years

The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is battling to become an organization that has a spot in the global combat sports landscape. Providing opportunities to fight to earn an increased status in the organization is a vital part of the plan. Connor Tierney would like to be the man who grabbed the inaugural BKFC United Kingdom Welterweight Champion on Saturday in Coventry, England.

Tierney will have a major experience advantage over his opponent, according to online boxing news. Tierney will have the challenge of attempting to hand Jonny Graham his first loss in the squared circle. Graham has picked up two knockouts during his first fights with the organization.

Tierney came through the ranks of bare knuckle boxing through a more natural path. First learned how to fight while squaring up with people on the streets of Birmingham, England, during his youth. Growing up in the neighborhood of Weoley Castle meant he needed to know how to fight.

Tierney enters this fight coming off a loss, but has compiled a 7-2 record during his career. Graham has excelled in many different kinds of combat. He has picked up five straight wins in traditional gloved boxing matches as well as his success in BKFC.

Bets to consider: Tierney ML, Fight to not go the distance

Cruiserweights Ready to Battle For Rankings

Connor Tierney and Jonny Graham Will Battle For Inaugural UK Welterweight Title 1

Rob Boardman has continued to build up his reputation every time he steps into the squared circle. Anyone looking at MMAfighting latest news will see that Boardman has opened his career with five straight wins, including four knockouts. He will be tasked with attempting to slow down Dawid Oskar in the main event.

Oskar, the No. 5 ranked heavyweight, has started his BKFC career by winning four of his previous five fights. Boardman is someone that the BKFC has high hopes for. Boardman won his only fight in the BKFC so far, but he has won three other bare-knuckle fights and is 6-0 in traditional boxing.

Bets to consider: Oskar by KO, Under 1.5 rounds

Cooke and Shaw Look for Momentum

Connor Tierney and Jonny Graham Will Battle For Inaugural UK Welterweight Title 2

Conor Cooke and Mason Shaw like to push the pedal on high-paced action. The two cruiserweights haven’t been able to find sustained success just yet during their careers. Cooke has been a KO-or-bust type of fighter.

The latest trending boxing news shows that Cooke has gone 2-1 in his career, with both wins coming via KO. Shaw had a lot of bare-knuckle experience before coming into the BKFC. When he landed in the promotion that is aiming to be the world’s best, he experienced mixed results.

Shaw is 1-1 in the BKFC and 6-5-1 overall.

Bets to consider: Shaw by decision

Chipchase Brings Muay Thai Flair

The rules sets are different for Muay Thai and bare-knuckle boxing, but there hasn’t been much to slow down Jonno Chipchase. Chipchase has over 43 bouts under his belt in his career, many of which are Muay Thai bouts.

During his time in the BKFC so far, Chipchase hasn’t disappointed. He has won both of his fights and would like more glory on his resume. Fighting Tony Bindon should provide Chipchase with that opportunity.

Bindon recently moved back to England after spending time in the United States. During his time in Florida, Bindon primarily fought in backyard fighting, and he idolizes Jorge Masvidal. Both men should be looking to bring this fight to a quick end.

Bindon is 2-2 in his career, winning his BKFC debut in a fight against Marcus Pond back in April.

Bets to consider: Fight to not go the distance

Luke Nevin Plans Rude Welcome for Sahin Omer

With regulated bare-knuckle fighting still in its infancy, it’s hard to look at records too closely when scrutinizing a fight. Sahin Omer has never fought professionally. His opponent this weekend, Luke Nevin, is 2-2 as a bare-knuckle boxer.

Nevin comes into this fight having lost his last two bouts. He prefers to see what his opponents are offering before launching countershots. There isn’t a lot of good information available on Omer, so this fight will require a deliberate approach from Nevin.

Bets to consider: Nevin ML

Thorpe Leads a Busy Leave

George Thorpe being willing to step into the squared circle is a dangerous decision. It can be dangerous for his opponents, who are stuck dealing with a heavy-handed puncher. More worryingly, it could also impact Thorpe’s business.

Thorpe works as a scaffolder during the day and trains at night. This weekend, Thorpe will have to take on Conan Barbaru. Barbaru first popped up in combat sports when he fought amateur MMA back in 2018.

Barbaru lost his BKFC debut in August 2022 but is 2-2 in the sport overall.

Bets to consider: Thorpe ML

Brown Ready to Welcome Ward to BKFC

Robbie Brown has plenty of professional fighting experience. What Brown dreams about is having the amount of time he puts in matched up with a number of solid results. During Brown’s career, he has fought nearly 30 times in amateur MMA bouts.

One of his most notable bouts came against future UFC prospect Farid Basharat. One of the things that Brown struggled with in MMA was with grappling. That’s not something he will have to worry about in BKFC.

Brown is hoping to lean on that experience against the debuting Jordan Ward. So far in Brown’s BKFC career, things have been rocky. He won his debut in impressive fashion, knocking down Ben Hatchett four times.

Brown has lost his two fights in the organization since. He should find a way to get back on track here.

Bets to consider: Brown by decision

Here are other fights on the card not mentioned above: