Conor McGregor has been making headlines with his involvement in the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship). But his UFC return? That still remains up in the air. ‘The Notorious’ is a part-owner of the bare-knuckle promotion but has indicated that he isn’t interested in sitting on the sidelines for long.

The former ‘champ-champ’ recently stated at a BKFC press conference, “If you think I’m up here giving these speeches and leading these men into battle and I won’t step in there myself, think again.”

While he named former UFC stars Mike Perry, Jeremy Stephens, and Eddie Alvarez as potential opponents, even he couldn’t have predicted receiving a challenge from a UFC middleweight!

In the latest twist in his unpredictable career, a surprising name has entered the conversation, Paulo Costa. In a moment that left fans scratching their heads, Costa took to X with a simple, yet bizarre demand, stating, “McGregor I want bkfc u”

No build-up, no explanation, just a direct callout to fight McGregor in bare-knuckle. The Irishman’s response? A pair of crying laughing emojis at the challenge that came out of nowhere.

And that was it. No lengthy back-and-forth, no trash talk, just laughter. But what exactly did Costa mean? Was he serious? Or was this just another case of ‘The Eraser’ being up to his usual trolling on social media?

While Paulo Costa’s tweet may have been unexpected, Conor McGregor’s potential BKFC debut has been gaining momentum. The Irishman has made it clear, he’s not just an investor. During the previously mentioned press conference, the Irishman proclaimed, “I would wish to be the Bare Knuckle world champion. That is a significant belt to hold in your career. Nobody from boxing or mixed martial arts can speak nothing bad on a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship world champion. So, for sure, I would be coming in looking for the world title.”

So what does this mean for his return to the Octagon? Are the dreams of seeing his famed left hand in action over for MMA fans? According to a UFC veteran, the end may already be in sight.

Conor McGregor’s UFC return receives a grim outlook from Chael Sonnen  

Chael Sonnen isn’t one to mince words, and when it comes to Conor McGregor’s UFC return, he’s not holding his breath. ‘The Notorious’ last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 264 in 2021 and suffered a horrific leg fracture. While he was scheduled to take on Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in 2024, the comeback fell through due to a broken toe sustained by McGregor in training just weeks before the fight.

As such, on his appearance on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, Sonnen stated, “If you pull out of a fight because of a discolored pinky toe that may or may not be yours, that may or may not be broken, you’re not fighting again.  It’s just the truth.”  ”

The UFC veteran also argued that the idea of McGregor making a triumphant return to the Octagon is nothing more than wishful thinking. The reason? He explained, “The basic rule of protect yourself at all times. Conor McGregor is not in a position with anybody under contract with the UFC to protect himself at all times.  It’s a silly proposition.”

Sonnen also pointed out that Chris Weidman, one of the most disciplined athletes in MMA, suffered the same injury and still hasn’t looked the same. And yet, somehow, McGregor is expected to do it better?

To wrap things up, Chael Sonnen has made his stance clear, McGregor’s fighting days at the highest level are behind him. And given the Irishman’s history of injuries and failed comebacks, it’s hard to argue against him. If he truly steps into a BKFC ring, it could signal a permanent shift away from MMA.

But maybe the laughter at Paulo Costa’s challenge is just a smokescreen. Maybe the Irishman has one more act left in his UFC story. What do you think? Is BKFC the future for Conor McGregor or will he return to claim the Octagon once more? Let us know in the comments below!