"You'll probably make more money" - David Feldman says Conor McGregor will "100%" fight for BKFC in future amid troubles with UFC comeback
Conor McGregor has not competed in combat sports in more than three years since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. While the former double champ appeared set to return to the octagon against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June, he was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a pinky toe injury.
Despite his inactivity, 'The Notorious' has remained involved in the combat sports world. He has frequently shown up to big-time boxing fights and became a part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in April. David Feldman recently shared that he believes that McGregor will fight in the promotion at some point. Speaking to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, the BKFC president and founder stated:
"The UFC doesn't need us. Like, they don't need us. We need a co-pro with them. They don't need a co-pro with us, which would be phenomenal. They're not going to do it. They're not going to do it. If they do Conor McGregor in anything, they don't have to do a co-pro with us, but that being said, I mean, unless he's the best salesman in the world, because the talks that we've had, he's like, 'I'm fighting here'."
Feldman continued:
"I'm like, 'yeah, okay'. He's like, 'I'm fighting here. I'm fighting here'. And then I go, 'well, why wouldn't you fight here because you have equity in the company and if you fight here, you'll probably make more money here than anywhere else in the world because of what it's going to do for the company'. So, I truly believe what you said. I think 100% he fights here."
Check out David Feldman's comments on Conor McGregor below:
McGregor reportedly has two fights left on his UFC contract and it is unlikely that the promotion would agree for him to fight elsewhere. Despite his inactivity, 'The Notorious' remains the biggest star in mixed martial arts.
Jake Paul claims Conor McGregor is being shelved due to ongoing broadcast rights negotiations
Despite his stated desire to fight in December, Conor McGregor remains without a date for his return to the octagon. Furthermore, Michael Chandler has been given a new opponent as he will face Charles Oliveira in a five-round co-main event at UFC 309. Jake Paul recently speculated that the UFC may be keeping 'The Notorious' sidelined due to their ongoing broadcast rights negotiations.
Speaking on his podcast, BS w/ Jake Paul, the social media personality claimed:
"Conor has two fights left on his fight deal, but the UFC is trying to renew their rights deal because they licensed their content - which are the fights - through platforms so they're trying to renew their deal, which they're negotiations with multiple people, but let's say they're going to go with ESPN. They're trying to renew the deal and get the most amount of money."
Paul continued:
"A part of that negotiation is, 'hey, we have Conor McGregor for two more fights', but if he were to fight now, that wouldn't be a part of the negotiations. The company would be like, 'oh, yeah, well you only have Conor for one fight'. So that's why Conor is not fighting right now."
Check out Jake Paul's comments on Conor McGregor below:
It is debatable whether the UFC still needs to rely on their biggest star as they have thrived in the three years of his inactivity. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Paul, who has spent years publicly feuding with Dana White, has insight into the company's negotiations.