Conor McGregor has his eyes on two not-so-potential opponents.
We have yet to see the UFC superstar return to the Octagon after four years away. Ireland’s McGregor hasn’t competed since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021.
McGregor, 37, has tried to come back, but to no avail, pulling out of his main event with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 last summer.
In 2025, McGregor’s attempting to make a political run in Ireland but the more recent headlines about the fighter read of a potential return as he’s back in the gym training.
On Thursday, McGregor was supposed to show up at the BKFC 82 press conference in Newark, but McGregor, a company part-owner, had other things to tend to—like his next fight, says BKFC president David Feldman.
David Feldman says Conor McGregor is targeting winner of Mike Perry vs. Jeremy Stephens
Business partners with McGregor, Feldman claimed the Irishman couldn’t make it to the presser because he’s currently getting ready for the BKFC main event winner between rivals Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 82 on Oct. 4.
McGregor has faced off with both Stephens and Perry before in the BKFC ring, but ‘The Notorious’ can’t fight them as he is still under UFC contract for two more bouts.
“We were supposed to have my partner, my friend Conor McGregor was going to be here today, but he couldn’t make it last minute because he’s actually very, very focused,” Feldman said of McGregor.
“It’s the best Conor McGregor I’ve ever seen… He’s training hard.
“He’s focused because he said one of you two guys is probably his next fight,” Feldman said of Perry and Stephens.
McGregor has teased his BKFC debut for some time now, despite being signed to UFC.
McGregor said he ‘fired’ Perry from BKFC after losing to Jake Paul in a boxing match, but no such thing happened as Perry is still on the roster. McGregor told Perry to dance for him at a BKFC press conference earlier this summer.
Meanwhile, Stephens has been wanting to fight McGregor since 2016. McGregor made a mockery out of Stephens at the UFC 205 press conference by asking ‘Who the f— is that guy?’ when Stephens tried to interrupt him.
Stephens popped up on McGregor’s radar again when he broke Eddie Alvarez’s jaw in January.
Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens face off for ‘King of Violence’ title
Perry and Stephens had their first face-off in Newark on Thursday, months out from the title fight.
The BKFC stars collide for the ‘King of Violence’ title, which determines who the baddest fighter of the promotion is, similar to the UFC’s BMF title.
“Baddest motherf—– in the world,” Feldman said as he faced off Perry and Stephens on stage.
“That’s who I am,” Perry said to Stephens during the staredown.
Perry is 5-0 under the BKFC banner. Stephens is a perfect 3-0. Both fighters were fan-favorites in the UFC.