3<\/p>\n Tierney is one of Britain’s finest bare-knuckle boxersCredit: BKFC<\/p>\n When the sporting greats first locked horns back in 2019, Franco rendered Tierney unconscious inside the opening stanza.<\/p>\n And when they ran it back seven years later, Franco repeated his heroics, albeit one round later.<\/p>\n ‘Bon Bon’ decked Tierney five times en route to the eventual knockout, which came one minute and 17 seconds into round two.<\/p>\n However, it appears that the first knockdown was caused by an accidental clash of heads rather than a punch.<\/p>\n READ MORE ON BOXING <\/p>\n Tierney was spitting blood after the collision, and it quickly became clear that his jaw was compromised.<\/p>\n Regardless, the brave Brummie marched forward undeterred and repeatedly picked himself up off the canvas until he couldn’t stand anymore.<\/p>\n Tierney has since taken to social media to confirm that his jaw has been broken in two places, spelling the end of his glittering career.<\/p>\n Connor Tierney bids farewell to bare-knuckle boxing<\/p>\n “Farewell, Bareknuckle,” read a post from the 31-year-old, accompanied by some grisly videos of his mangled jaw. <\/p>\n “As I write this, I\u2019m stuck in the QE hospital with a broken jaw in 2 places, and with time to reflect in a short amount of time, I just want to say I\u2019m sorry to everyone who supported me. <\/p>\n “I was flat the whole night, and I just couldn\u2019t get locked in. <\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Tierney’s jaw was left in a sorry stateCredit: www.instagram.com\/connortierneybtb\/?hl=en 3<\/p>\n His jaw is broken in two places, and he will now step away from the sportCredit: www.instagram.com\/connortierneybtb\/?hl=en<\/p>\n “I thought I could, but I think the occasion got to me. My goal in Bareknuckle was to bring the city together and become a star in combat sports. <\/p>\n “I achieved that, and despite the loss, I\u2019ve had so many great memories in this sport, I\u2019ve met so many great people, too. <\/p>\n “On reviewing the footage, I got caught with a headbutt and done my jaw, rolled my ankle and just could not work with it, but it is what it is, that\u2019s life.<\/p>\n “Sometimes you take risks, and god has other plans. Natalie, my partner, if it wasn\u2019t for her, I wouldn\u2019t have made it to where I am now, and Simon Haycock, my coach, was there for me through thick and thin. A great coach and person.<\/p>\n ” I managed to achieve so much in this short time frame, but I fell at the hurdle I always dreaded I could not fall at. I feel that it\u2019s time for me to call it a day.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m so truly blessed with the career I\u2019ve had. I nearly got the blues, ground I was so close, but I just wasn\u2019t good enough! <\/p>\n “And I have missed so much time being a dad and a Fianc\u00e8 I\u2019ve loved every minute of this career; it\u2019s been a fantastic journey, credit to Rico and his team, a tough man who dealt me 2 bad losses. <\/p>\n “Think I\u2019m gonna spend some time healing and start enjoying my life without Bareknuckle now, as this is my farewell to the game. <\/p>\n “Thank you for all being a part of it. Thank you to all those who have supported me over the years.”<\/p>\n What did Connor Tierney achieve in bare-knuckle boxing?<\/p>\n Tierney can look back at his bare-knuckle boxing career with pride.<\/p>\n After his first defeat to Franco, Tierney rebounded to win BKB’s one-night prizefighter in 2020 before scooping the BKB middleweight world title one year later at the height of lockdown.<\/p>\n He eventually parted with the British promotional outfit and signed with Conor McGregor<\/a>‘s BKFC, where he carved out another successful run, picking up the BKFC UK welterweight crown.<\/p>\n If his second loss to Franco does prove to be Tierney’s final fight, then his record will forever read 9-3 (4KOs).<\/p>\n Read More on talkSPORT<\/p>\n Along the way, he defeated many notable names, including BKFC world title challenger Danny Christie, BKFC UK lightweight champion Jonny Graham and multi-weight BKB world titlist James Connelly (twice). <\/p>\n Watch Boxing on DAZN<\/p>\n *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue<\/p>\n Sign up to DAZN<\/a> to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.<\/p>\n Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate<\/a> from just \u00a324.99\/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.<\/p>\n Alternatively, DAZN Standard<\/a> is just \u00a315.99\/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.<\/p>\n![\"Conor](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NINTCHDBPICT001084038245.jpg\")
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