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A former UFC champion has blasted Conor McGregor for overstepping his role in combat sports, accusing the Irish superstar of masquerading as a BKFC executive. McGregor, who hasn’t fought in the Octagon since his 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier, has recently teased a pivot to bare-knuckle boxing—even tweeting a mock “firing” of a BKFC star after their loss to Jake Paul.
Now, that fighter is clapping back, dismissing McGregor’s authority and questioning his relevance. But who is standing up to MMA’s biggest loudmouth, and why does this feud matter?
Mike Perry fires back at Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor’s foray into bare-knuckle boxing drama has hit a wall—and it’s named Mike Perry. The BKFC’s undefeated “King of Violence,” who boasts a 5-0 record in the promotion, is shrugging off McGregor’s social media antics after the UFC icon tried to “fire” him following a loss to Jake Paul.
The feud began in July when Perry stepped in on short notice to replace Mike Tyson against Paul. Despite a valiant effort, Perry suffered a sixth-round stoppage—prompting McGregor to tweet:
“Hey Mike you’re released… You’re fired. @BareKnuckleFC.”
Perry, however, isn’t packing his bags. “Of course, I’m still with BKFC. I have stakes in the company,” he told talkSPORT.com.
“I have an extensive contract that I’m looking to fulfill… He ain’t my boss. He ain’t telling me nothing. I’m my own boss.”
The former UFC welterweight didn’t stop there. Dismissing McGregor’s clout, Perry jabbed:
“Are we still talking about that guy? Is that guy still relevant? Does he even fight anymore? I don’t think he does. He’s made some money, and now he’s just all talk.”
Perry’s defiance underscores a broader tension. Conor McGregor, a part-owner of BKFC since 2023, has leaned into his new role with bravado—but Perry’s unbeaten BKFC résumé (including wins over Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez) gives him leverage.
“The fight hasn’t been made with bare-knuckle because we’re looking for the right opponent,” Perry explained, hinting at ongoing negotiations.
For BKFC, Perry remains a crown jewel. His brutal wins and “King of Violence” title have cemented his status as the promotion’s top draw. McGregor’s attempt to oust him, then, reads like a publicity stunt—one Perry isn’t buying.
“I still fight for money, and I’ve been getting rich out here as well,” he quipped.
As for Conor McGregor? His last UFC bout was three years ago, and his BKFC ownership hasn’t yet translated to fight bookings. Perry’s message is clear: “It’s just a matter of time” before he’s back in the ring—on his terms.
