McGregor Wants BKFC Run After Final UFC Fight

Conor McGregor says he plans to sign with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship once his current UFC contract is fulfilled, with just one fight left before he becomes a free agent.

McGregor, part-owner of BKFC, made his intentions clear in a recent video, saying, "Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is unstoppable at the moment. What a few months we have had. And God bless it. God bless true fighting. I can't wait to do it. One more to go. One more to go, and the Mac Daddy is free." The 38-year-old has said he intends to fight that final UFC bout next year during International Fight Week, then walk into free agency with BKFC as his stated next stop.

What Happened to McGregor at UFC 329

McGregor's most recent trip to the octagon lasted barely over a minute. His five-year layoff ended at UFC 329 against Max Holloway, and the rematch was over in 69 seconds after he tore his ACL and meniscus landing a flying kick in the opening exchange. He could not put weight on the leg, and referee Mike Beltran waved off the fight, handing Holloway the win by TKO. McGregor had surgery afterward and says he needs nine to twelve months to recover before he can fight again, which lines up with an International Fight Week return next summer.

Why BKFC Makes Sense for McGregor's Next Chapter

McGregor already has skin in this game beyond fandom. He is a part-owner of BKFC and has talked before about wanting to win bare knuckle gold himself, so this is not a throwaway line, it is a stated business and competitive interest he keeps circling back to. Bare knuckle fighting strips away the padded gloves and changes the calculus on cuts, knockdowns and stoppages, a different discipline than anything McGregor has done across two UFC title reigns.

For now, none of this is booked. McGregor has one fight left on his UFC deal and has not fought since the Holloway injury, so any bare knuckle bout is something to track for down the line, not a fight to price up today. What is notable for bettors is the shift in how McGregor's stock gets read: a fighter who has not competed at full health in years and is coming off a serious knee reconstruction, still talking about a physically brutal new sport as his retirement plan. Sportsbooks will have plenty of time to set a line once a UFC swan song is actually locked to a date and opponent. Until then, the bare knuckle talk is a signal of where McGregor sees his career going after the UFC, not a betting event in itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Conor McGregor fight in BKFC after leaving the UFC?

Conor McGregor has said he wants to compete in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where he is already a part-owner, once he fulfills his final UFC contract obligation.

What happened in Conor McGregor's last UFC fight?

McGregor lost to Max Holloway at UFC 329 by TKO after 69 seconds when he tore his ACL and meniscus attempting a flying kick.

When does Conor McGregor plan to fight next in the UFC?

McGregor has said he is targeting a return during International Fight Week next year for what he has called his final UFC bout.