Rico Franco’s path to capturing the BKFC interim welterweight title is unlike almost any other story in combat sports. At BKFC 90, the European champion delivered a dominant performance against Connor Tierney, recording five knockdowns across two rounds before the contest was stopped at the 1:18 mark of the second round.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is what Franco carries into competition with him every single time he steps into the squared circle: an ileostomy bag.
Franco has been living with the consequences of severe ulcerative colitis that ultimately led to the complete removal of his bowel. Rather than stepping away from his career, he has continued to compete at the highest level of bare-knuckle boxing while managing life with a medical pouch worn externally to collect waste following intestinal surgery.
At BKFC 90, Franco showed why he is regarded as one of the most dangerous competitors in the welterweight division. When it was all over, the declaration was unambiguous: “Rico Franco is now the BKFC interim welterweight champion. And he just keeps getting better.”
Tierney found himself in trouble early, with the first knockdown arriving barely minutes into the opening round. Two more followed before the bell. Franco then added two more in the second round to seal his performance.
Mitchell launched a GoFundMe campaign in 2025 to support Franco through upcoming surgery. According to Mitchell, Franco has endured a total bowel removal and has continued training and competing throughout, all while facing the need for additional surgical procedures.
“He now needs further major surgery to remove his rectum, meaning his bag cannot be reversed, and also more surgery to correct problems with his stoma,” Mitchell explained.
“Rico never complains, just gets on with it,” he wrote. “I’ve seen him literally sh@tting blood between rounds in training camps, including the last one, and really struggle with his health over the years.”
For Franco, the personal cost of continuing to compete has been significant. The upcoming surgery requires an extended period away from both the ring and his income. As a gym owner whose livelihood depends largely on personal training sessions he delivers himself, the recovery period presents a genuine financial challenge.
“Despite being in a great position to have some big figh ts, he must have this major surgery, which will see him sat on the sidelines for a while until he can recover and get back to full training,” Mitchell wrote. “Most of his income comes from the PT sessions that he does, and during this time he won’t be able to do any PTs, so I think it’s really important to try to help him out, and keep things stress free so he can get back healthy and go for the BKFC title.”
Mitchell’s admiration for his athlete was unmistakable: “Rico is a great role model for all fig hters, in fact anyone who is struggling in life.”
