He's not here to take part, he's here to take over.
Conor McGregor isn’t waiting until his return to the octagon to stir up the combat sports world. Instead, he is expanding his influence over the industry by becoming the newest owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
“Ladies and gentlemen, the huge announcement that I have for you today,” he posted to social media during the BKFC KnuckleMania 4 card Saturday. “Conor McGregor myself and McGregor Sports and Entertainment is now an owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. “Welcome to the big leagues. David Feldman, baby, we did it.”
BKFC held its first event in 2018 and became the first modern-day promotion to hold a state-sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing fight. The beautifully destructive promotion skyrocketed in popularity and is currently viewed as the “fastest growing sport promotion in the world,” with over 80 events being held in the last six years.
McGregor, 35, first showed interest in the promotion last year with an unexpected appearance at BKFC 41. There, he stepped into the squared circle and faced off with Mike Perry, who had just knocked out Luke Rockhold.
Following the event, the former UFC double champ expressed his admiration for the promotion.
“It’s an incredible setup here,” McGregor said. “Incredible matchmaking. Incredible storytelling. I had to come here. I flew straight away. I was not going to miss this and it did not disappoint. All these fighters that step in here are warriors and all have my respect.”
Mystic Mac’s Proper Twelve whiskey and Forged Irish Stout have served as in-ring sponsors for BKFC since his visit last year. Now, McGregor Sports and Entertainment assumes part ownership of the promotion while Triller remains the majority shareholder.
David Feldman, Founder and President of BKFC, expressed his excitement to welcome the MMA icon — equipped with incomparable influence — to help grow the promotion.
“Look, you’ve got the biggest guy in all of combat sports right now as a part owner of our company,” he said during the BKFC KnuckleMania 4 broadcast. “I think it’s just going to move the needle tremendously. We’re going to do a lot of big things. We’re going to open up a lot of new markets.”
With the landmark announcement, McGregor continues to grow his reach outside of the octagon. Recently, the Notorious One made the jump to Hollywood, starring opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in the 2024 remake of Roadhouse.
Impressively, the fighter became the highest-paid first-time actor in history, surpassing the $5.5 million record contract given to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for his role in The Mummy Returns.
Having completed all his side missions, McGregor has shifted his primary focus back to the octagon, where he looks to achieve the “greatest comeback in sports history.”
McGregor has yet to enter the octagon since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirer at UFC 264 nearly three years ago. However, after many months of speculation and buildup, UFC President Dana White officially announced that McGregor will make his highly anticipated return to the Fight Capital of the World on June 29, where he will take on Michael Chander at UFC 303.
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