French special forces soldier fought US boxer in bare knuckle debut and what happened next stunned everyone

An ex-French Special Forces soldier fought a US boxer in a bare knuckle fight and the result stunned everyone.

The sport of bare knuckle has emerged as one of the leading codes in combat sports.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), which is part-owned by UFC fighter Conor McGregor, are viewed as the premier bare knuckle promotion, having acquired several high-profile fighters, including Mike Perry, ex-UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and former world champion boxer Austin Trout.

Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) are also making waves in the sport and boast Paulie Malignaggi, who faces Tyler Goodjohn in Bristol on September 6.

BKB have put on a series of big match-ups, including Romain Courcier vs. Eduardo Perez.

Courcier transitioned to bare knuckle after serving in the French Special Forces.

Bare knuckle boxing has emerged as one of the leading codes in combat sports. Image: Getty

"I can't talk about it a lot because it was a secret life. I started my career in airborne and after five years I went to the French Special Forces. I did Afghanistan... I did like five different wars around the world." he said of his military background ahead of his bare knuckle showdown.

"I don't feel fear because you train for that. You have physical preparation, you have mental preparation. You train every day and night. It's the job."

Courcier made his debut against Eduardo Perez at BKB 39: Brawl at the Beach in April.

Despite his background in the French Special Forces, Courcier was brutally stopped in the third round in a thrilling contest.

Courcier enjoyed spells in the fight before Perez took control of the bout.

The Frenchman fought at range, but Perez brilliantly closed the distance, tagging his opponent.

In the third round, the Puerto Rican exploded and secured three knockdowns before the referee waved off the contest.

Perez landed a huge right-hand that floored Courcier before dropping him moments later with another thunderous right-hand.

He then rushed in for the kill, dropping Courcier for a third time to secure a huge win at the John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.