Bare-knuckle boxer Tai Emery started with a ‘flash’ knockout and ended year with stitches but insists ‘it won’t stop me’ heading into 2023

Bare-knuckle boxer Tai Emery became a global superstar overnight earlier this year and is determined to take things to the next level in 2023.

In September, the Australian fighter impressed many during her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut by landing a beautiful right uppercut followed by a left hook to stop her opponent, Rung-Arun Khunchai, in the first round at an event in Thailand.

Emery got a little overexcited with her win and lifted her top, exposing her chest to the audience, shocking BKFC commentator and UFC veteran, Chris Lytle, who quipped: “Interesting celebration, haven’t seen that one before.”

Footage of her knockout win and unusual celebration quickly went viral to take her from obscurity to one of the most talked about fighters on the planet.

Naturally, the 35-year-old’s OnlyFans page was hit with a huge upsurge of subscribers following the viral win that has allowed her to cash in on her second career as a model.

Emery told talkSPORT: “I’ve been magazine modelling since I was 19/20 [years old].

“I’ve been internationally published. That’s why I really feel that I’m putting on all my old hats right now. Obviously, you’ve got the OnlyFans popping off and I’m using all the modelling skills.”

Despite fears, she could end up in prison for her saucy celebration, Emery promised that she would celebrate in a similarly outrageous fashion if she was able to keep her win streak going when she made her second BKFC appearance.

“My celebrations, as long as I’m KO’ing girls in the same technical fashion, I’m going to be doing whatever I want. Whatever I want,” she added.

However, things didn’t go her way when she return to the ring earlier this month to take on 17-1 professional boxer Chisakan Ariphipat – who is better known as Po Denman – in Thailand.

Emery managed to go five rounds with a vastly more experience fighter but ultimately slumped to a unanimous decision defeat and was left with some nasty facial injuries.

During the fight, a massive cut opened up above her right eyebrow and she documented it getting stitched up on social media before issuing a defiant message ahead of the new year.

“Wasn’t my night in the decision, but I’m happy I could show I can go the 5 rounds ‘with’ ability and ‘without’ giving a fuck about some chicken scratch on my head,” Emery wrote on Instagram.

“It won’t stop me. Appreciate everyone involved with this preparation. Time to clean up and execute on the next show. Humble in winning (W) and humble in learning (L).”

Despite ending 2022 with a loss, Emery will certainly look back on this year as a huge success and will be hoping to build on it, whatever she does, over the next 12 months.