Conor McGregor set to change sport and calls out three huge names ahead of debut

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor could make a sensational career change as he has discussed a potential appearance in another sport.

McGregor, 36, is way past his peak and has not fought since July 2021, a fight in which he suffered a devastating leg injury during a loss to Dustin Poirier.

And you’d have to go back even further to January 2020 for McGregor’s last win in the UFC; on that occasion, he beat Donald Cerrone by TKO.

Part of the reason - aside from his leg injury – that McGregor has been out of the octagon for so long is due to his chaotic personal life.

In November 2024, a jury in a civil case held at the High Court in Dublin found McGregor liable for the assault of Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

The Irishman has also been outspoken on social media and deleted a post about fellow MMA fighter Paul Hughes last month.

Hughes, 27, fought and lost in a gruelling five-round war against Usman Nurmagomedov – cousin of McGregor’s long-term rival Khabib Nurmagomedov – at PFL Champions Series 1 in Dubai, UAE.

After the bout, Hughes was captured embracing Usman before he said he was “not like this other guy”, to which McGregor took offence and gave his take on X.

“Too right, you’re not,” McGregor replied on X before making a derogatory comment about Hughes’ Northern Irish nationality.

McGregor later deleted his posts about Hughes.

So, all things considered, a return to the UFC has never felt further away, but what next for the once great MMA fighter?

Well, he could soon be set to take part in another sport.

McGregor was recently photographed playing football, but it is another sport that the 36-year-old has been linked with a shock appearance in despite still being under contract with the UFC.

On Sunday, he made an appearance at a BKFC press conference in Italy and discussed the prospect of competing in the sport.

“Yes. Yes. The warrior spirit burns strong inside me,” McGregor said.

“For sure. If you think I’m up here giving these speeches and leading these men into battle and I won’t step in there myself, think again. For sure.

"Conor McGregor will fight in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship – mark my words.”

The Irishman is part-owner of the fight promotion.

“I’d like a world title in this company,” he added.

“I would wish to be the Bare Knuckle world champion. That is a significant belt to hold in your career.

"Nobody from boxing to mixed martial arts can speak nothing bad on a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship world champion. So for sure, I’d be coming in looking for the world title.

“There are many bouts, showcase bouts you could say. Michael Perry, Mike Perry. You could say Jeremy Stephens. You could say a rematch against Eddie Alvarez. You could say many matches. But the lightweight title, who is the champion right now, lightweight or welterweight? Let’s see. I’m open. We’ll see when it comes."