Birmingham bare-knuckle fighter Connor Tierney is turning his dream of headlining at St Andrew's into a tangible reality, with a world title opportunity now firmly in his sights.
From Weoley Castle to World Stage
Connor Tierney, the current UK welterweight champion for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), believes his career is on a steep upward trajectory. Following consecutive victories against Jonny Graham and Danny Christie, the 31-year-old from Weoley Castle is now focused on securing a third successive win. He hopes this will pave the way for a monumental world title fight at Birmingham City Football Club's stadium.
Tierney, a devoted Bluenose, has already met club owner Tom Wagner and feels the club is aware of his ambitions. "It's all heading in the right direction and formulating to a stadium show," Tierney told BirminghamLive. He added that the better he performs, the more likely it becomes, stating, "I think it's a reality now than a dream."
A Legacy Bigger Than Cooper
A major combat sports event at St Andrew's would evoke memories of Henry Cooper's famous victory over Johnny Prescott at the ground in 1965. However, Tierney is confident that a modern bare-knuckle spectacle would surpass that historic night.
"This is something I feel I could do," he said, referencing local boxing heroes like Frankie Gavin, Wayne Elcock, and Galal Yafai who never headlined the stadium. "To do that, but in bare knuckle fighting, it shows how far I've come. It would be the biggest combat sports event in Birmingham and even bigger than the Henry Cooper fight."
Tierney's confidence stems from fan reaction to his explosive style. After his last bout, he reported that 80% of people he spoke to called it the most entertaining night of fighting they'd seen in Birmingham for a long time. He aims to make his shows the top choice for fans seeking knockouts, fast action, and sheer intensity.
Balancing Brutality with a Day Job
Despite his rising fame in the brutal world of BKFC, Tierney has no plans to quit his day job as a quantity surveyor. He views his work as a vital counterbalance to the realities of fighting.
"I want to work," he explained. "My job helps to take me away from the reality of fighting." Aware of the physical toll and the time spent away from family, the 31-year-old is pragmatic about his career's longevity. "I don't want to be waiting until I'm 38," he admitted.
For now, his focus is singular: seizing this unique window to build a lasting legacy. "This is my opportunity to create a legacy by fighting on the pitch at St Andrew's," Tierney stated, determined to make his stadium dream a punishing reality for any world title challenger.
