Conor McGregor has recently called out his next opponent, and it’s not who fans might expect. The Irish star, last seen in the Octagon in 2021 at UFC 257 and UFC 264, suffered back-to-back losses against Dustin Poirier. Despite being scheduled to face Michael Chandler in UFC 303 last year, the bout was canceled.
While there is no official confirmation of McGregor’s return to the UFC, he has stirred up excitement by calling out his next challenger amid ongoing speculation.
Conor McGregor eyes a bare-knuckle showdown
McGregor has now shifted focus to the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), expressing his interest in stepping into the ring against Jeremy Stephens. The pair share a colorful history dating back to the UFC 205 press conference in 2016, where McGregor dismissed Stephens with the infamous line, “Who the f** is that guy?”* Though a UFC clash between them never materialized, McGregor appears eager to settle the score in the BKFC arena.
Following Stephens’ impressive victory over Eddie Alvarez at BKFC KnuckleMania V, McGregor entered the ring for an intense face-off.
Amid the electrifying atmosphere, he declared, “Who the f** is this guy? Let’s set a date. Who’s going to stop me man to man? No one’s going to stop me. Dave [Feldman], make a date, let’s do it. I’m down for it, bro.”*
BKFC President David Feldman later revealed that Conor McGregor approached him after the event, stating his intent to fight Stephens under bare-knuckle rules. While the Irish fighter remains under contract with the UFC, this unexpected turn has sparked discussions about a potential career move to BKFC.
Despite his turbulent journey since 2021, including legal controversies and failed matchups, McGregor’s charisma and unpredictability continue to captivate fans. Whether or not the bout with Stephens materializes, it’s clear that The Notorious is determined to make a triumphant return to combat sports, reigniting his legacy on his own terms.
As fans eagerly await official updates, McGregor’s latest challenge reminds everyone why he remains one of the most compelling figures in combat sports. However the "Notorious One" is set to face Logan Paul for a $250M mega-fight in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.