One fight left, then a change of discipline
Conor McGregor says his Ultimate Fighting Championship career is down to a single remaining bout, and he does not plan for that appearance to close out his time as a fighter. The former two-division champion, who spoke with Spitfire Gym Berlin while attending the Hype Italy event, indicated that once the contract is fulfilled he intends to shift to bare-knuckle competition rather than step away from combat sports altogether.[S1][S2]
According to McGregor, the plan is to remove his gloves inside the octagon for that last UFC outing and use the moment to signal what comes next, which he described as an announcement of bare-knuckle fighting rather than a retirement. He framed the move as a continuation of his career in a different format, not an exit from it.[S1]
Why bare knuckle appeals to him
McGregor said he genuinely enjoys bare-knuckle fighting and argued that the format leaves little room for dull bouts. He also weighed it against mixed martial arts, which he said is difficult to surpass when the quality is high, while describing the gloveless version as thrilling and hazardous and, in his view, demanding greater bravery from him personally.[S1][S2]
He acknowledged that his enthusiasm might be shaped by his own recent experience, referring to a difficult outing last time, and joked about the toll the sport takes on the body, remarking that teeth and noses can be replaced. The remarks came as he continues to recover from surgery after injuring his knee in his comeback bout against Max Holloway.[S1][S2]
An owner who wants to compete
McGregor took an ownership stake in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in 2024, giving him a commercial interest in the organization as well as a stated desire to fight under its rules. That combination would make him by far the most recognizable figure connected to the promotion as it seeks wider attention.[S1][S2]
His drawing power has long rested on entertainment value, and supporters of the switch argue that bare-knuckle competition, however brutal some find it, fits that reputation. The timing of any debut remains unsettled, since his contractual obligation to the UFC and his knee rehabilitation both come first.[S2]
