Conor McGregor is one of the most famous martial artists in the world. He recently attended a bare-knuckle boxing event and seemed to express interest in the sport. The event was the Bare Knuckle FC 17, which took place on April 30th, 2023, in Denver, Colorado.
McGregor was impressed by the setup at the BKFC 17 event, saying, “It’s an incredible setup here…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.”
Although McGregor is currently under contract with the UFC and is negotiating a bout against Michael Chandler later this year, he expressed interest in potentially competing in bare-knuckle boxing.
He even donned the BKFC championship belt and challenged anyone to come and take it from him, saying, “I’m into this game. I’d be into this. How am I showing up here and I’ve already got the belt? Come get it, baby! Come get the strap, baby!”
McGregor was not the only notable star in attendance at BKFC 17. Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman, Justin Gaethje, and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone were also spotted in the crowd.
McGregor’s comments have sparked speculation about whether he could potentially make a transition to bare-knuckle boxing. While the sport has a reputation for being gnarly, it also has a growing fan base and is gaining more mainstream attention.
As several MMA pundits pointed out, BKFC comes out smelling like roses when compared to something like Powerslap.
If McGregor were to make the switch, he would undoubtedly be a major draw for the sport. His star power and charisma could help elevate bare-knuckle to new heights and attract even more fans to the sport.
However, it remains to be seen whether McGregor will actually pursue a career in bare-knuckle. For now, he is focused on his upcoming UFC bout and continuing to cement his legacy in the world of mixed martial arts.
Interestingly, Conor McGregor voiced his support for UFC and expressed his interest in retiring in the promotion earlier last month.
“What, to go out and do a little side quest, and seeking to get some boxing dollars and all the rest of it?” McGregor said recently on The MMA Hour.
“No, for me — for me, the UFC is pinnacle and it’s the company I love. It’s a company, I wish to be with this company for the rest of my career. I hope we can continue.”
“My catalog is in the UFC. My highlight reel is in the UFC. Look, let’s see what happens. I hope they feel the same also.”
“I love the company dearly. It’s changed my life. It’s given me so much and it’s helped me in many situations in my life. … The UFC is my company.”
Since 2014, Benny A. King has been fully immersed in the world of combat sports. Starting with a blog about Greco Roman wrestling, Benny’s passion for combat sports has led him to explore various disciplines.