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BKFC's debut event in Spain concluded spectacularly, with Franco Tenaglia claiming the lightweight title after an epic five-round battle against Tony Soto. The main event, held in Marbella, saw both fighters leave everything in the ring, earning praise not only from the audience but also from BKFC's new co-owner, Conor McGregor, who surprised both fighters with an extraordinary gesture.
“What we’re going to do for these two gentlemen as well as a bonus is double their purse,” McGregor declared in the aftermath of the brutal contest. “They’re getting double pay. That’s damn straight. Well done gentlemen, you are getting double pay and bonuses. Thank you for your service.”
The fight itself was a back-and-forth war, with defense seemingly forgotten as Tenaglia and Soto exchanged heavy shots throughout. In the second round, Soto dropped Tenaglia with a vicious body shot, and it appeared he might end the fight right there. However, Tenaglia showed immense grit, surviving the round and bouncing back with his punishing strikes.
When the final bell rang, both fighters were battered and bloodied, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. The judges scored the contest 47-45 twice in Tenaglia’s favor, while one judge saw it as a 46-46 draw, awarding Tenaglia the victory via majority decision. The win crowned Tenaglia as the new BKFC lightweight champion and granted him double his original payout, thanks to McGregor’s generosity.
"I’ve been waiting for this for 10 years," Tenaglia said. "I used to fight in warehouses in the middle of nowhere, but look at me now. I’m a world champion."
In the co-main event, former boxing champion Austin Trout retained his BKFC welterweight title with a dominant performance, knocking down Rico Franco twice en route to a unanimous decision victory. Meanwhile, Dave Mundell continued his knockout streak, stopping Danny Christie in the second round to retain his middleweight title.