Conor McGregor just announced ‘the most lucrative tournament in all of combat sports’.
The BKFC’s biggest press conference took place Thursday evening from Hollywood, Florida, with 15 world champions onstage along with BKFC president David Feldman and part-owner, former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor.
The Champions Summit featured former UFC stars such as ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry and heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell in a drama-filled press conference, with many fighters shouting at each other over potential matchups and rivalries.
Before things got too rowdy, McGregor broke news of a massive tournament and the promotion’s newest signings.
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Conor McGregor says $25M open-weight tournament begins March 2026
Feldman has teased a BKFC tournament for several months now, with McGregor finally lifting the curtain at the press conference.
“I’m going to announce the most lucrative tournament in all of combat sports,” McGregor said.
“Open weight, the baddest man on the planet…
“The world’s baddest $25,000,000 tournament begins March 2026. The weight divisions will be open-weight somewhat. We’ll start from the biggest and baddest in bare knuckle, 265 lbs right down to 185.
“These men in this division will contest against each other for the $25,000,000 prize and to see who really is the baddest man on the planet. Let’s go.”
Feldman says the open-weight tournament will begin in March 2026 in Los Angeles, CA, and then end a year later in the Middle East in March 2027. The top prize is $15M with second place getting $1M, third and fourth place getting $500K each.
BKFC signs four former UFC fighters including Yoel Romero
The open weight tournament wasn’t all McGregor announced.
The BKFC part owner revealed that the BKFC had signed former UFC title challengers Yoel Romero and Thiago Santos.
Romero and Santos were explosive knockout artists in the UFC and were on the verge of a UFC title against Robert Whittaker and Jon Jones. Santos is 41 years old and Romero is 48.
Joining Romero and Santos are more UFC veterans as perennial middleweight contender Derek Brunson and Aspen Ladd have also signed to the BKFC, per Feldman.
Known more for his wrestling game than his boxing, Brunson left the UFC with a winning record of 14-7. The 41-year-old has only fought once since losing to current champion Dricus du Plessis, defeating former PFL champion Ray Cooper III in the PFL in 2023.
Feldman also announced a four-man lightweight tournament featuring Ben Bonner vs. Franco Tenaglia for the interim title and Austin Trout vs. Luis Palomino, with the winners squaring off against each other.