McGregor To Fight BKFC After UFC Contract Ends

Conor McGregor will compete in bare-knuckle boxing once his UFC contract expires, according to Irish fighter Jimmy Sweeney.

Sweeney, a four-division BKFC champion who recently secured his first promotional win at BKFC 91 by stopping Nicholas Vescio in the second round, told Bare Knuckle Bowker that McGregor's ownership stake in the company makes a future bout inevitable. The Irishman's involvement in BKFC has fueled speculation about a potential cage-to-ring transition since he acquired a partial stake in the promotion.

McGregor's Bare-Knuckle Future After UFC Exit

"I think with Conor I think he will fight bare knuckle," Sweeney said, per BJ Penn. "I think he loves the sport so much. Obviously he's part owner of the company and he loves the sport so much. So I think it's something that he wants to try himself."

Sweeney expanded on the timeline, noting that McGregor would likely fulfill his remaining UFC commitment first. "After he gets this sort of fight out of the way with the UFC contract, but I do feel like we will see him in the BKFC ring soon," the bare-knuckle veteran added.

McGregor suffered a knee injury in the opening seconds of his UFC 329 rematch against Max Holloway earlier this month and has called for a trilogy bout in summer 2027. Sweeney, whose 30-6 bare-knuckle record stands as a modern-era benchmark, wished his compatriot a speedy recovery and expressed hope to see him back in action soon.

The former UFC champion has one fight remaining on his promotional contract before testing free agency for the first time in his career.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Conor McGregor will fight in BKFC when UFC contract ends, per BK Legend