Conor McGregor last night announced his latest career move as he continues to expand his sport and media empire.
The legendary fighter is currently preparing for his return to the octagon after three years out of action with a broken leg. But that isn’t stopping him from remaining active in the business world, with a number of new projects balanced across his brand.
McGregor owns a clothing company; August/McGregor, as well as multiple alcohol brands including Forged Irish Stout and Proper Twelve whiskey. He also sponsors a number of major sporting events and is a publican in Dublin with his successful hotspot The Black Forge Inn.
Conor McGregor begins training camp for UFC 303 comeback against Michael Chandler
McGregor is currently beginning to wean off his hectic social schedule as he ramps up preparations for his first fight in three years. The Irishman will face Michael Chandler after coaching against him last year on The Ultimate Fighter.
His last outing was a UFC 264 trilogy with Dustin Poirier. Towards the end of a razor close first round he suffered a gruesome broken leg that called a halt to not only the fight, but three key years of his career as he recovered and faced outside of the cage issues.
Last weekend he declared that he would be quitting alcohol this week with just two months to go until fight night. And he enjoyed a big night out on Friday at a pub in County Meath after a training session, and he now seems prepared to get into full camp.
Conor McGregor confirms he has become part-owner of BKFC
Last night in a video link from his Dublin pub, McGregor announced that he has taken a stake in bare knuckle boxing promotion BKFC. He had previously teased that he had a big announcement during last night’s Knucklemania pay-per-view, and appeared in a video where he confirmed the news.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the huge announcement that I have for you today,” he began. “Conor McGregor myself and McGregor Sports and Entertainment is now an owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. “Welcome to the big leagues. David Feldman, baby, we did it.”
It is a big step for McGregor, who has always been keen on having some back-end involvement in a fight company after not getting a piece of the UFC during his peak. He is still contracted to the MMA promotion, and won’t be eligible to compete at BKFC at all.
BKFC President David Feldman details Conor McGregor’s reaction to new BKFC role
Clearly, McGregor is passionate about his new role. BKFC President David Feldman told reporters last night: “He’s now an owner of BKFC with us and we’re going to take this motherf*cking thing all the way to the top now.
“He came to our event, in two days it will be a year ago, in Denver. He jumped in the ring, he called out Mike Perry in fun, and one thing led to another. We partnered with his beer, his Irish stout, and they became a sponsor of us. He fell in love with this. We had some unbelievable conversations, some great ideas already exchanging.
“It was funny, I was telling my wife, ‘I was dying for Conor McGregor to call me and now the guy won’t stop calling me.’ It’s unbelievable. But he is so excited about this thing. I really think it takes it to the next level.”