McGregor Preparing For BKFC Debut

Dave Feldman has claimed Conor McGregor is preparing for a BKFC debut against the winner of the upcoming bout between Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 82 on October 4.

McGregor’s absence from the event’s press conference was a major talking point since he is a part-owner of BKFC. However, Feldman explained that Conor was too busy training for a potential fight. There is a significant roadblock that stands in the way. McGregor is still under contract with the UFC for two more fights.

For this crossover to happen, the UFC would need to release him. McGregor has not had a fight since his 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. His UFC 303 comeback against Michael Chandler was called off after he suffered a toe injury. While McGregor is back in the UFC testing pool, with an eye on the UFC White House card next year, his next move is uncertain despite Feldman’s comments. 

“We were supposed to have my partner, my friend Conor McGregor was going to be here today, but he couldn’t make it last minute because he’s actually very, very focused. It’s the best Conor McGregor I’ve ever seen. He’s training hard, he’s focused because he said one of you two guys (pointing at Perry and Stephens) is his next fight,” Feldman said 

Considerations

This could be a bad move for McGregor. It is a high-risk, low-reward fight that could severely damage his legacy. McGregor’s legacy is built on his two-division UFC titles. The striking in bare-knuckle are far more dangerous. For a fighter whose career is based on precision striking, a single hand injury could be career-ending. Furthermore, McGregor’s recent inactivity and age makes him a less-than-ideal candidate for the sport. 

The move could also be a massive step down in his career. Fighting in BKFC, a much smaller promotion, would be a clear sign that his time at the top is over. While he’d be the biggest name in BKFC history, it would be seen by many as a desperation move rather than a new challenge. 

From BKFC’s perspective, signing McGregor also comes with substantial risks. The financial investment required to lure McGregor would be astronomical, likely consuming a huge portion of the promotion’s budget for a single event. There’s no guarantee that McGregor’s appearance would translate to long-term growth for BKFC, leaving many unanswered questions.