“If you think I’m up here giving these speeches and leading these men into battle without stepping in there myself, think again,” Conor McGregor teased, hinting at his return last night in Florence, Italy. The event coincided with a historic moment for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), which hosted its first-ever press conference in Italy following last year’s BKFC: Marbella event in Spain. Held at the iconic Palazzo Wanny in Florence, the press conference set the stage for BKFC’s highly anticipated Italian debut, set to take place this summer.

Yet, it was the Irishman who stole the show. With his signature Irish accent and sharp suit, the former UFC double champ turned the Palazzo Wanny into a spectacle of drama and charisma. Fully embracing his role as a promoter, he exuded confidence from head to toe, commanding attention with every word. As he delivered one headline after another, McGregor reminded the crowd why he remains one of the most electrifying figures in combat sports—channeling the presence of UFC boss Dana White.

He carried himself like an unstoppable force, pushing for new signings and signaling that his influence in the fight game is far from over. ‘The Notorious’ also hinted at a potential return for MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko to BKFC. He teased the media, “Stay tuned, we might have an announcement with Fedor Emelianenko. Hey Fedor, we’re waiting…. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is signing and acquiring the best fighters of all time.”

But McGregor didn’t stop there. As a crowd of fight fans gathered for a glimpse of the UFC icon, he put on an impromptu show, briefly displaying his striking skills—even while dressed in a suit. Always one to celebrate his own prowess, the Irishman later doubled down on his confidence, retweeting a video shared by an MMA page on X and declaring, “Fighting’s most gorgeous puncher.”

Despite being away from the Octagon for over four years, Conor McGregor‘s striking remains as sharp as ever, signaling that he may be getting back on track. He was initially scheduled to make his return to the UFC last year against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but just a week before the fight, the Irishman suffered a broken pinky toe, causing the bout to be indefinitely delayed.

With no clear timeline for his UFC return, McGregor is now causing a stir with his potential BKFC comeback. The big question remains: Who will ‘The Notorious’ face in his next fight? Let’s hear it directly from the man himself!

Who has Conor McGregor suggested as potential opponents for his reported BKFC fight?

“There are a lot of exciting possibilities for showcase bouts,” Conor McGregor teased. “Mike Perry, Jeremy Stephens, maybe even a rematch with Eddie Alvarez. The lightweight title is up for grabs—who’s the champion right now? There are plenty of options, and I’m open to whatever comes my way.”

A showdown with Mike Perry, with whom the Irishman shares a personal rivalry, would definitely ignite excitement. There’s also the prospect of rematching Eddie Alvarez, the former UFC lightweight champion whom Conor McGregor famously defeated in 2016. ‘The Notorious’s savage second-round knockout of Alvarez made him the first fighter in UFC history to hold two titles at the same time.

However, the burning question remains: Will Dana White and the UFC allow Conor McGregor to make the leap to BKFC, especially with two fights remaining on his UFC contract? This issue was brought to light recently when the head honcho halted the Irishman’s boxing match against Logan Paul in India this summer.

What are your thoughts on McGregor potentially moving to BKFC? Do you think he’ll be able to fight again, or will his UFC contract stand in the way? Let us know your opinion below.