Conor McGregor is already looking ahead to life beyond the UFC, with the former two-division champion revealing that he is interested in making his bare-knuckle debut once his current contract comes to an end. McGregor has one fight remaining on his UFC deal after his return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 counted as a completed bout despite ending almost immediately. The Irishman suffered a torn ACL after attempting a flying switch kick with his first strike of the fight, bringing a disappointing end to his long-awaited comeback.
With just one UFC fight left before free agency, McGregor has several options on the table, including potential boxing bouts against Jake Paul, a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz or a major event at Croke Park. However, in a recent social media video, McGregor indicated that bare-knuckle fighting is currently his top priority once he is free from his UFC contract, putting a potential BKFC appearance firmly on his radar.
Conor McGregor Eyes BKFC Move After One Final UFC Bout
Conor McGregor is already looking beyond his UFC career, with the former two-division champion making it clear that he wants to step into the bare-knuckle world once his current deal expires. McGregor has one UFC fight left before he enters free agency and appears eager to make BKFC his next major destination. “One more to go. I can’t wait to do [bare knuckle]. One more [fight] to go and the Mac Daddy is free,” McGregor said.
McGregor has been closely connected to BKFC since becoming a part owner of the promotion in 2024, a move announced during Knucklemania 4. Since then, he has remained involved with the company both behind the scenes and in its promotion. His latest comments come while he continues recovering from the torn ACL and meniscus he suffered during his short-lived comeback against Max Holloway in July.
McGregor’s highly anticipated return ended almost as quickly as it began. His first attempted strike was a flying switch kick, but the move resulted in a torn ACL and brought the fight to an abrupt end. Although the UFC 329 main event was a major disappointment, McGregor’s appearance still counted toward his contract, leaving him with only one fight remaining on his deal.
McGregor’s Free Agency Opens Door to Jake Paul, Nate Diaz and BKFC
Once that final UFC obligation is completed, McGregor will have several potential options. A boxing bout with Jake Paul, a third meeting with Nate Diaz or a major homecoming fight at Croke Park have all been possibilities surrounding his future. However, McGregor’s recent social media comments suggest that a BKFC debut could be his first priority after leaving the UFC. “Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is unstoppable at the moment,” McGregor exclaimed. “What a few months we’ve had. God bless it, God bless true fighting. I can’t wait to do it. One more to go and the Mac Daddy is free.”
A move to BKFC could also make business sense for McGregor given his ownership stake in the promotion. While his recent record has been far from ideal and he has not won since 2020, his name alone remains a major attraction in combat sports. A McGregor appearance in a bare-knuckle bout could bring significant attention to BKFC while also giving the Irish star an opportunity to further expand his involvement with the company.
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