Conor McGregor’s explosive taunt, “Who the f–k is that guy?” hurled at Jeremy Stephens during a 2016 UFC press conference, is forever etched in MMA history as one of his most iconic moments. Fast forward, and the tables have turned—Stephens is out of the UFC and has joined Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where McGregor’s influence still looms large as a co-owner.

Now, with Stephens gearing up for his debut on the BKFC 65 card on September 6, ‘The Notorious’ is up to his usual game—stirring the pot and making waves. Never one to shy away from drama, McGregor took to social media to rally his fans, hyping up the Salt Lake City event. But in true McGregor fashion, he didn’t stop there. The Irishman dropped a bombshell, hinting he might square off against Stephens in the BKFC ring someday.

It’s a classic McGregor move—part showman, part provocateur, keeping everyone guessing about his next step. With his unpredictable style and razor-sharp tongue, McGregor once again reminds the world that wherever he goes, chaos and excitement are sure to follow. Will this bold tease lead to an actual showdown between the two? The fight world can only hold its breath and wait.

“BARE KNUCKLE WARRIORS LETS GO! We are live this Friday from Salt Lake City, Utah… In our co-main event also we have “who the f**k is that guy” facing off again against Bobby Taylor. Me and “who the f**k” is an exciting bare knuckle fight down the line 100%! Good luck to all our combatants! EXCITED! @bareknucklefc FIGHT WEEK! Swipe for the card and full schedule! @bareknucklefc,” McGregor wrote in part.

This, of course, means that Stephens will finally get his wish to face McGregor fulfilled, which had been the whole reason ‘Mac’ had savaged him all those years ago at the UFC 205 pre-fight press conference. It will just happen outside the UFC. And ‘Mac’ of course, does seem to be approaching the end of his UFC career, which has taken a sharp downward turn of late. After which, it makes all of the sense (especially financially) for ‘Mac’ to go down to the BKFC where he has a couple of ready-made matchups already.

Why Conor McGregor may eventually move to the UFC and fight Jeremy Stephens?

Conor McGregor owns equity in the BKFC, which, of course, means that he makes more money the higher its share go in value. And what is a sure way to make the BKFC shares explode in value? Perhaps having the biggest name in mixed martial arts who can sell PPVs like no one else in the world?

This is why former UFC star Josh Thomson had floated the possibility that ‘Mac’ may look to leave the UFC after his current UFC contract (which has two fights left on it) is up. And go to the BKFC, where he could fight Mike Perry (with whom he has been feuding since the latter’s loss to Jake Paul), who is the biggest star of bare-knuckle at the moment.

Now, with ‘Mac’s Insta post, it does seem there is a second matchup readymade for him in the David Feldman-led promotion, which already has a well-developed and exciting storyline behind it. By sheer virtue of being at the right place at the right time, Jeremy Stephens finds himself facing the prospects of a fight with Conor McGregor down the line. If that is, what ‘Mac’ has said about possibly facing him is true.

It could (and probably is) just a way for the Irishman to promote the card and he doesn’t really have any intentions of ever actually facing Stephens in the BKFC. But this is the fight game, and exciting, PPV selling matchups are not easy to come by. Whatever ‘Mac’s intent right now may be, there is now much more than a non-zero chance that Jeremy Stephens will fight Conor McGregor, even if it is a few years down the line. What are your thoughts on the topic?