Conor McGregor and his “McGregor” effect is here to stay in combat sports. The former UFC two-division champ will maintain his part-equity stake in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). That comes despite major partners and sponsorships having jumped ship after his civil lawsuit. But BKFC president David Feldman doesn’t mind those.
A Dublin Jury found Conor McGregor guilty of assault on Nikita Hand in 2018. The jury’s decision also included damages of just upward of €248,000 in damages (£206,000 /$260,000 all-in). The verdict prompted Proper 12 to cut ties with McGregor as well. However, at a time like this, David Feldman values loyalty above all else.
We don’t want to go into what happened but at the end of the day, we’re with him, …He’s our partner, and we’re going to grow this thing together. He talks, people listen. I don’t condone any bad things that may have happened but what I do support 100 percent is loyalty. You’re with somebody, you’re with somebody, and you’re with somebody through good and bad. Not just with them through the good. We’ve been with Conor McGregor the whole time.
BKFC president David Feldman to MMAFighting on SBN
McGregor is the source of friction between the BKFC and its streaming partner DAZN. ‘The Notorious’ recently threatened to pull out of the broadcast deal over the cutting of post-fight interviews. It turns out that, thanks to the penny-pinchers at the Hard Rock, the decision to skip the fighters’ speeches was made by BKFC executives in the interest of saving time and money.
Despite the slight media turmoil and the dwindling effects, BKFC president David Feldman plans an epic year ahead with McGregor’s presence. Boasting that ‘Mystic Mac’ Money, the promotion’s eight-man, $25 million tournament would certainly qualify for it, especially with Conor McGregor on usual host duties.
BKFC president David Feldman says the promotion is standing by Conor McGregor:
“I don’t condone any bad things that may have happened but what I do support 100 percent is loyalty. … You’re with somebody through good and bad. Not just with them through the good.” pic.twitter.com/FgI6FQqkTK
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 3, 2025
The Irishman was even in attendance at BKFC on DAZN: Spain weigh-ins and held the first kick-off conference. BKFC is expected to return to DAZN for BKFC: “Pechanga” on the 18th, this month, and McGregor will continue on as usual.
Joe Rogan questions Conor McGregor’s UFC future after civil lawsuit defeat
Conor McGregor might be holding on to his MMA promoter and BKFC part-owner roles. But he does not have much in the way of an actual UFC/MMA return. The MMA clique is up on three-and-a-half years since McGregor last competed inside the octagon. McGregor’s last matchup was his 2021 TKO leg break loss to Dustin Poirier.
Conor McGregor is yet to return to fighting (Source: X)The Irishman’s ride is ever so controversial. Now, with him liable for assault, major companies have dropped him as a pitchman or brand media face; all but BKFC at the moment. Although promotional CEO Dana White shrugged off the outcome, Joe Rogan considers otherwise. Rogan considers McGregor might never even fight again.
I don’t know if Conor’s ever gonna fight again, …I don’t know the real details of that case. I know his version of it and her version of it and what played out in the court. But the reality is that guy’s partying, and he’s partying real hard. And he talked about it in the court case…We’ve seen Conor’s sparring footage. He’s sparring pro boxers, he’s sparring elite fighters, you’re getting hit in the head a lot. And a lot of fighters, especially toward the end of their career, turn to drugs.
Joe Rogan on the ‘JRE’ Show #2239 – PowerfulJRE (@joerogan)
It’s unclear when or if McGregor will return to the cage, with White saying it wouldn’t happen until late 2025. McGregor raised eyebrows when he tweeted he’d agreed to fight Logan Paul in an exhibition bout. Although White and the UFC have yet to confirm the claim, his future is very much up in the air.
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