McGregor teases BKFC jump: 'Not up here just as an owner'

Being part of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship ownership group seemingly isn't enough for Conor McGregor, who said Thursday that he would love to fight in BKFC one day.

"For me, I have a bit of business left with the Ultimate Fighting Championship - two fights left on my contract," McGregor said, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. "But for sure, we have three lightweights up here on the dais, and I have my eye on all of this. I'm not up here just as an owner. I'm a player-manager, I'll title myself."

McGregor purchased a stake in BKFC in April. The promotion has gained significant popularity in recent years, and multiple former UFC fighters have competed in the organization, including Mike Perry, Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez.

"This is the real deal," McGregor added. "No one in this combat sports space can speak one bad (word) about a bare-knuckle fighting champion, and that, for me, is money in the bank."

McGregor hasn't fought since July 2021. The former UFC two-division champion was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The 36-year-old is still expected to fight Chandler next, but UFC CEO Dana White has yet to announce a new date for the event. McGregor recently said the highly anticipated bout is "for sure" happening in 2024.

Once he becomes a free agent, McGregor said the opportunity to fight in BKFC would be too good to pass up.

"This is a very, very exciting organization here," McGregor added, according to Nolan King of MMA Junkie. "How could you not? How could you not look to become a two-sport world champion in something as wild as a bare-knuckle fighting organization. We've got the money, too. We've got the dough. This is big payouts here, also - big pay, big shows, big news, and a coveted world title in a wild and dangerous game. For any real fighter out there, that's all you want to hear. Money, power, respect. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has it all."