The world of combat sports recently witnessed Conor McGregor stepping onto a different kind of stage, asserting his influence not just as a fighter, but as a co-owner. At a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) summit, the Irishman made his presence felt, delivering announcements that signal a significant push for the bare-knuckle promotion, particularly regarding its star talent and future direction.
Chief among the revelations was the confirmed return of BKFC`s current marquee name, Mike Perry. Known as “The King of Violence,” Perry`s recent foray into boxing against Jake Paul had temporarily sidelined him from the bare-knuckle ring. McGregor, now operating from an ownership perspective, wasted no time in setting the record straight regarding Perry`s position and future. “You`re welcome back because I welcomed you back,” McGregor stated, laying claim to Perry`s return. He then assigned Perry a date: October 11th, complete with a rather direct directive: “you’ll dance for me, boy. You’ll dance for the owner, and then we can talk.” A surprisingly candid moment, perhaps illustrating the dynamic when the fight game`s biggest personality becomes the boss.
Perry, for his part, had previously expressed interest in testing his mettle against McGregor himself in the bare-knuckle format – a prospect that remains intriguing despite McGregor`s exclusive contract with the UFC. However, McGregor made it clear that Perry must first overcome his upcoming opponent. While the name remains undisclosed, McGregor teased it would be “one of the baddest men to ever grace the Ultimate Fighting Championship.” Perry has previously mentioned former UFC champion Robbie Lawler as a potential opponent, but confirmation is pending. The outcome of this mystery matchup will apparently determine Perry`s “worthiness” in the eyes of the ownership.
Beyond the McGregor-Perry exchange, the summit served as a platform to announce a wave of notable fighter acquisitions. BKFC is clearly investing in bringing established names into the bare-knuckle realm. Leading this new contingent is former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero. At 48, Romero continues to defy conventional fighting timelines and now brings his formidable power and unique style to BKFC, transitioning after a recent appearance in the “Dirty Boxing” format (ironically, a promotion linked to Mike Perry).
Romero is not the only former UFC title contender joining the ranks. Thiago Santos, known for his powerful striking, is also set to make a fresh start in bare-knuckle. Furthermore, UFC veterans Derek Brunson and Aspen Ladd have signed with the promotion, adding depth and recognized names across different weight classes. Rounding out the announced signings was former boxing champion James DeGale, indicating BKFC`s reach extends beyond MMA. These additions signal a clear intent by BKFC to elevate its roster and attract a wider audience, leveraging the recognition these fighters bring from larger combat sports stages.
McGregor`s active participation and these significant signings collectively paint a picture of a BKFC promotion aiming for substantial growth. By bringing in proven talent and having a co-owner with unmatched star power publicly steer the ship, BKFC is positioning itself as a serious contender in the combat sports landscape, promising fans intriguing matchups and the raw, unfiltered action of bare-knuckle fighting.
