The wait for Conor McGregor’s return to combat sports might finally be nearing its end. The former UFC two-division champion, sidelined since his gruesome leg break against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, is back in the gym—and this time, he’s hinting at a dramatic pivot. McGregor, now 36 and fully healed, has spent the past year teasing fans with cryptic social media posts and bold claims about his next move. But as speculation swirls around a potential UFC comeback, a new twist emerges: Is “The Notorious” eyeing a bare-knuckle brawl instead? Let’s dive into the clues.
Conor McGregor teases BKFC debut amid UFC limbo
McGregor’s latest training footage has set the combat sports world ablaze. Over the weekend, the Irish superstar flooded his Instagram story with videos of himself drilling boxing combinations—without gloves. In one clip, he unleashes rapid-fire punches on a heavy bag, captioning it with a cheeky nod to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where he holds an ownership stake.
This isn’t the first time Conor McGregor has flirted with BKFC. Earlier this year, he name-dropped Mike Perry, Chad Mendes, and Nate Diaz as potential opponents, insisting his UFC contract—which has two fights remaining—wouldn’t block a bare-knuckle debut. “Why not both?” he quipped during an interview, fueling theories about dual-promotion chaos. Yet, UFC CEO Dana White remains tight-lipped, leaving fans to wonder if McGregor’s BKFC antics are a negotiation tactic or genuine intent.
The road back to the Octagon
Despite the BKFC buzz, McGregor’s UFC return remains the elephant in the room. His prolonged absence has frustrated supporters, with White repeatedly delaying announcements about his next opponent. Insiders suggest McGregor’s camp is pushing for a late 2024 comeback, possibly against Michael Chandler, though nothing is set in stone.
Meanwhile, Conor McGregor’s training regimen—now blending traditional MMA drills with bare-knuckle pad work—signals readiness for any challenge. “He’s in phenomenal shape,” a source close to the fighter revealed. “But his focus? That’s the question. Is he all-in on UFC, or is BKFC the real play?”
Why this matters
McGregor’s career has thrived on unpredictability. A BKFC stint would not only shock fans but also test his adaptability in a sport where every punch carries amplified risk. For the promotion, landing McGregor would be a seismic coup, leveraging his star power to rival mainstream MMA.
For now, Conor McGregor keeps everyone guessing. Whether he’s lacing up gloves or baring knuckles, one thing’s clear: The fight world misses his madness. And if his latest posts are any indication, the madness is just getting started.