“My situation isn’t good. For 17 years, I worked for my family—and now, I don’t have a family. Unfortunately, we divorced. Everything I had, I left to my wife and kids. A $1.5 million house, the cars, the jewelry—I gave it all away. I didn’t take a single dollar with me when I left the U.S. With my background, should I end up on the streets or at a bus station? I don’t want that. I just want a place of my own,” said former UFC heavyweight and 80-fight veteran Aleksei Oleinik in a heartfelt interview with Sport 24, ahead of his BKFC debut against Geronimo dos Santos.

The Russian veteran entered the fight not just chasing victory, but hoping to rebuild his life—both financially and emotionally. His BKFC debut came during the promotion’s first-ever event in Dubai. But the night turned tragic! Inside the iconic Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Stadium, dos Santos brutally knocked the 47-year-old veteran out at the end of the first round.

The loss wasn’t just physical—it came against the backdrop of a painful divorce and an ongoing defamation lawsuit that had drained him. And cage-side, BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor watched it all unfold. As reported by Red Corner MMA, a video from the event captured McGregor’s stunned reaction—standing motionless in disbelief as his fellow UFC warrior was left unconscious in the ring.

Despite the setback, Oleinik isn’t done fighting. He’s already signed on with the newly formed Global Fighting League, set to launch in May with a star-studded lineup that includes former UFC names like Tony Ferguson, Lyoto Machida, and Cain Velasquez. But his BKFC debut served as a harsh reminder of just how desperate he is to turn the tide—not only in the cage but in life.

Outside the ring, the Russian continues to fight a more personal battle—one involving his children. Just last month, the veteran fighter opened up, saying, “I love our kids very much. Every two or three months, I fly to the U.S. to see them. But she manipulates them and blocks my number, so I can’t call or text them.” It’s a heartbreaking claim—but one that his ex-wife strongly disputes, offering a starkly different perspective on their strained relationship. The truth, it seems, lies somewhere in between.

Meanwhile, Conor McGregor stood cage-side—visibly stunned. But he wasn’t alone in his disappointment. Fans of ‘The Notorious’ are beginning to lose hope, as his long-hyped return to the Octagon feels more like a fading dream than an imminent comeback. After what transpired at BKFC 70, the doubts are louder than ever. Is the Irishman era truly nearing its end? Let’s see what the seasoned MMA veterans have to say.

UFC legend weighs in on Conor McGregor’s possible retirement

“I’ve got two fights left on my UFC contract. I’m in negotiations,” Conor McGregor shared during last week’s BKFC Hollywood event. “But something happened to me last week. I went to The White House… and my heart bleeds for my country right now. There’s a lot going on back home.” An emotional McGregor seemed to hint that his fighting days might be coming to an end. Instead of focusing on a UFC return, the Irishman appears more invested in addressing Ireland’s growing immigration crisis—a topic he believes is directly linked to rising crime rates.

His remarks came after he announced that he would run for President of Ireland in 2025. Though McGregor admitted he’d still love to fight—even as President—the odds look slim. After all, the 36-year-old hasn’t fought since 2021, and the responsibilities of leading a nation would almost certainly put his Octagon comeback on indefinite hold.  If he couldn’t manage a return before, how could he possibly do it while running a country? UFC veteran Matt Brown weighed in on the matter during an episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, and he wasn’t the least bit surprised.

According to Brown, McGregor’s exit was written in the stars long ago. “He told us like 10 years ago what he was going to do,” Brown recalled. “Do you remember him saying it? ‘I’m going to come in, take over, make money, and then I’m going to get the f— out.’ He even warned us back then—this game is brutal, and you don’t want to stay in it too long. He told us a decade ago, and now, he’s done exactly what he said he would.”‘

Where do you see Conor McGregor heading next? He’s already conquered MMA and is thriving in the business world—could a run in Irish politics be his next big move? Share your thoughts below.