Bare-knuckle: Agi Faulkner tipped to 'do damage' in USA

That is the verdict of former UFC star Chris Lytle following Faulkner’s claiming of the European BKFC heavyweight title.

Faulkner, from Egremont, overpowered Dawid Oskar in a ferocious contest in Newcastle to win the inaugural title.

It was his third straight victory in the BKFC.

Faulkner is eager to fight on bigger stages still and retired mixed martial arts and boxing star Lytle believes the USA could be his oyster.

“I’ve got to say, our new champ, Agi went out there and he looked way more dominant than I thought he would,” said BKFC commentator Lytle, speaking via The Fuse UK podcast.

“That guy’s heavy handed. I watched his first two fights, [which he won] 2 and 0, and I know he got two good knockouts.

“But man...Oskar is tough and he [Faulkner] put him down five times, four times in the first round…five, actually, one of them was after the bell…

Faulkner, from Egremont, became European champion after a ferocious fight in Newcastle (Image: BKFC)

“I’d like to see him come over. I think he’d do a lot of damage to a lot of the heavyweights in the States. I’d like to see him come over and try and challenge for that legitimate title.”

Faulkner, after defeating Daniel Robson and Rob Cunningham in his first two BKFC heavyweight contests, went up against Polish fighter Oskar at BKFC 68 earlier this month.

The 35-year-old knocked out Oskar early in the second round to claim the European belt.

After his victory in the north east, Faulkner told BKFC part owner Conor McGregor that he wanted a “massive fight in America” next.

Faulkner is Cumbria's second champion in the BKFC after Carlisle's Danny Christie last year won the British light-heavyweight title. He recently announced his retirement from the BKFC.