Conor McGregor explains interest in being 'player-manager' for BKFC after UFC deal is up
UFC star Conor McGregor eyes "player-manager" status in BKFC after he fights the final two bouts on his current contract.
A member of the BKFC ownership group, Conor McGregor thinks the promotion will court more free agents going forward – potentially including himself.
At a BKFC Spain press conference held Wednesday in Marbella that he hosted, McGregor expressed interest in a potential BKFC jump following the end of his UFC contract, which has two fights left on it.
“For me, I have a bit of business left with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (with) two fights left on my contract,” McGregor said. “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 soon.”
Both McGregor and BKFC president David Feldman emphasized throughout the press event their focus on bringing in top free agents. Feldman said the promotion is currently talking to Yoel Romero and hinted another unnamed free agent has already been signed with an announcement pending.
A soon-to-be free agent himself, McGregor sees the appeal.
“That’s me,” McGregor said. “I am coming to the end of my contract. I have two fights left. This is a very, very exciting organization here. How could you not? How could you not look to become a two-sport world champion in something as wild as a bareknuckle 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.”
McGregor, 36, does not currently have a fight on the books as he recovers from a toe injury that caused him to withdraw from UFC 303 in June. McGregor is still expected to face Michael Chandler when he does return, though no timeline has yet been given for the rebooking.