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Conor McGregor’s prolonged absence from the Octagon has sparked creative solutions from an unlikely source: one of his former rivals. Nearly four years have passed since McGregor last stepped into UFC competition—a brutal TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021—and his planned 2024 comeback against Michael Chandler fizzled after an injury derailed training. Now, Chandler, still chasing the elusive showdown, has floated an unconventional path forward for the Irish superstar’s combat sports return. While details remain under wraps, the proposal hinges on a bold pivot—and UFC’s blessing.
Michael Chandler’s bare-knuckle gambit
The idea? A bare-knuckle boxing clash under the BKFC banner—a promotion Conor McGregor partially owns. Michael Chandler, set to face Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 next month, revealed the audacious pitch during a recent interview.
“That would be the only fight I took,” he stated, doubling down on his desire to settle the score outside traditional MMA. “If the UFC was on board with it, [and] gave us both permission… Yeah, I would do it.”
The proposition isn’t without hurdles. Chandler’s wife has vetoed the idea, citing the sport’s visceral brutality. “My wife said you can’t fight in bare knuckle,” he admitted, though he remains a self-professed fan of BKFC’s raw, no-frills appeal. McGregor, meanwhile, has flirted with crossover bouts himself, including failed talks to box YouTube star Logan Paul. His BKFC stake adds intrigue, but UFC’s approval remains the linchpin.
A new clash ready for Conor McGregor
For Michael Chandler, the BKFC pitch is a Hail Mary to salvage a rivalry years in the making. His upcoming bout against Pimblett—a fight that may force him to miss his daughter’s birth—underscores his relentless drive. Yet, his willingness to step into BKFC’s blood-soaked ring reveals deeper motivations: legacy, redemption, and perhaps a final paycheck.
Conor McGregor’s silence speaks volumes. While his UFC future stays murky amid political aspirations in Ireland, BKFC offers a lucrative loophole. But Dana White’s stance on cross-promotion remains a wild card. Would UFC greenlight a fight that risks their star’s health for a rival promotion’s gain?
The bigger picture: Combat sports’ shifting sands
Chandler’s proposal reflects MMA’s evolving landscape, where stars increasingly juggle multiple disciplines. Conor McGregor’s BKFC ownership and Paul talks hint at a post-UFC blueprint, while Chandler’s gamble highlights the desperation of fighters clinging to relevance.
As UFC 314 looms, Chandler’s focus may be split between Pimblett and pipe dreams. But one thing’s clear: in the high-stakes game of combat sports, even long shots deserve a hearing.
