Darwen's Corran wins inaugural BKFC UK middleweight title

Darwen’s Gaz Corran produced a remarkable comeback performance to stop Mac Bygraves and capture the inaugural BKFC UK Middleweight title at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.

Fighting on one of the biggest cards in British bare-knuckle boxing history, Corran overcame an early setback before forcing a stoppage just 26 seconds into the third round to maintain his unbeaten record and announce himself as a major force in the division.

The bout formed part of the main card at BKFC 94, headlined by Darren Till’s victory over Yoel Romero, and carried added significance with the inaugural UK middleweight crown at stake.

Corran entered the contest unbeaten, but he was given an immediate reminder of the dangers posed by Bygraves, who had arrived in Manchester intent on spoiling the party.

Early exchanges were fiercely contested, with neither fighter willing to give ground in the centre of the ring.

The turning point appeared to come when Corran was sent to the canvas.

For a moment, Bygraves seemed to hold the upper hand as the fight threatened to swing decisively in his favour.

However, Corran responded in emphatic fashion.

Showing composure and resilience, he gradually worked his way back into the contest, refusing to be drawn into a reckless firefight.

As the rounds progressed, his accuracy and pressure began to take their toll on Bygraves.

Corran’s momentum continued to build as he started finding success with heavy shots that forced his opponent backwards.

The Manchester fighter sensed an opportunity and increased the tempo, turning defence into attack and taking control of the bout.

The contest moved into the third round with the balance firmly shifting.

Corran wasted little time in finishing the job.

After battling back from the knockdown, he scored three knockdowns of his own during the fight, overwhelming Bygraves with a barrage that eventually brought the contest to a halt just 26 seconds into round three.

The stoppage sparked celebrations inside the arena as Corran secured the biggest victory of his bare-knuckle career to date.

His triumph earned him the inaugural BKFC UK Middleweight title and extended his undefeated run under the promotion’s banner.

For Bygraves, defeat represented a frustrating end to a contest in which he had made a strong start and briefly looked capable of taking control.

Yet once Corran settled and found his rhythm, the momentum swung decisively in favour of the eventual winner.

On a night dominated by high-profile names and title fights, Corran ensured he was one of the standout performers on the card.

His ability to recover from adversity and produce a clinical finish under the brightest lights demonstrated both his toughness and his growing credentials as a contender.