Conor McGregor reveals reasons for major career pivot amid UFC ‘plateau' as MMA legend's return remains a mystery

The Sun

01-05-2025

CONOR MCGREGOR ventured into the world of fight promotion just over a year ago.
The former two-division UFC champion stunned combat sports fans last April by dipping his toes into the world of bareknuckle boxing.
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The Irishman, through his McGregor Sports and Entertainment company, acquired significant shares in the fast-rising and brutal Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
His acquisition of shares in BKFC and subsequent undertaking of a promoter's role stunned his legion of fans, many of whom were wondering if the move marked the end of his fighting days.
But he couldn't help jumping on board the BKFC ship after being blown away by the beautiful violence the promotion had displayed.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, The Notorious said: "This is a major player in this industry.
"Bareknuckle Fighting Championship is a major, major player in this industry. And it's growing fast.
"And it's got an unbelievable foundation, it's a rock-solid [foundation].
"With the stable of fighters and a stable team, the team around it that's grown it and built it, this is a serious player in the game."
McGregor believes BKFC's rise in popularity has been helped by the stagnation of several combat sports promotions, including the UFC.
"In that time, you know, I won't say stale," he said. "But certain things have hit almost a plateau.
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Inside McGregor's Notorious lifestyle
With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor's rise has been an enthralling watch.
Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses.
He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line.
And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler.
McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene.
Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch.
The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend KhabibNurmagomedov.
That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus.
He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later.
Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury.
Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017.
"Certain other players have hit a plateau. And all of a sudden, bare knuckle arises.
"And you've got a wild card, there's huge shows and events all across the world.
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"And I'm right there with it. The timing was impeccable."
McGregor, 36, has become enamoured by the bloodiness and brutality of BKFC, which is fast becoming a globally accepted promotion.
And he's eager to one day test himself in the sport, saying: 'I'm not up here just as an owner, player-manager, I'll title myself on this one.'
McGregor hasn't fought in any combat sport since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier nearly four years ago.
The UFC's first simultaneous two-weight world champion was set to make his grand cage comeback last June against Michael Chandler but was forced out of the Sin City showdown with a broken left pinky toe.
The Dubliner sensationally hinted that his fighting days might be over in March when he admitted he's content with his achievements.
But he's since performed a U-turn, setting his sights on a long-overdue showdown with Chandler in the wake of his rival's crushing defeat to Paddy Pimblett last month.
He wrote on X: "I'll only come back to a stadium. IRON MIKE CHANDLER, unfinished business."