Conor McGregor, now operating with executive influence as a co-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), recently took center stage at a promotional summit. His appearance was marked by significant announcements, setting a strategic trajectory for the growing combat sports organization and underscoring his active involvement beyond the realm of competition.
A key point of focus was the status of Mike Perry, often cited as the face of BKFC. Perry, whose bare-knuckle activity had paused following a boxing engagement, received concrete news regarding his next bout. McGregor confirmed Perry’s return date: October 11th. However, the announcement arrived with a rather characteristic display of McGregor’s flair for authority. Addressing Perry directly, McGregor issued the command, “dance for me,” a clear, if slightly dramatic, reminder of the ownership hierarchy now overseeing Perry’s career path in BKFC.
Perry has openly expressed interest in a future bare-knuckle showdown with McGregor himself, a notion that continues to generate speculative discussion. While McGregor remains under an exclusive contract with the UFC, he has publicly entertained the idea of bare-knuckle competition. Nevertheless, his current stance mandates that Perry first successfully navigate his upcoming challenge. The identity of Perry’s opponent for the October 11th date was teased as a notable veteran from the Ultimate Fighting Championship ranks, its name withheld pending a formal reveal. McGregor framed this impending contest as an audition, stating he would personally assess Perry`s performance to determine his “worthiness” for potential future high-profile opportunities.
Beyond the focused interaction concerning Mike Perry, the summit served as a platform to unveil a significant expansion of the BKFC roster. The organization confirmed the acquisition of several high-profile athletes transitioning from mixed martial arts and professional boxing. Perhaps the most prominent addition is Yoel Romero, the perennially formidable former UFC middleweight title challenger. Romero’s move to bare-knuckle follows a recent venture into the `Dirty Boxing` format, bringing a reputation for explosive power and remarkable durability into the BKFC ring.
The influx of talent doesn`t stop there. Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos, known for his devastating striking power, has also signed with BKFC, seeking a new chapter in his combat sports career. Veteran UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson and former UFC bantamweight title challenger Aspen Ladd are also joining the bare-knuckle ranks, adding depth to their respective divisions. The signings further extended to the boxing world with the addition of former super-middleweight world champion James DeGale, indicating BKFC’s continued interest in integrating pure boxing pedigree.
These strategic roster enhancements, announced under the visible influence of Conor McGregor, signal BKFC’s clear intention to elevate its competitive landscape and enhance its market presence. The addition of established names across multiple combat disciplines positions the promotion for potential high-interest matchups and increased viewership, reflecting a calculated effort to solidify its standing within the global fight scene.
