Conor McGregor has spoken often about the UFC White House card. Yet new signals suggest he may step outside the UFC spotlight.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship President David Feldman raised the possibility during a press event for BKFC 82. The card features Mike Perry against Jeremy Stephens for the King of Violence title.
Feldman revealed McGregor skipped the press conference. He said the reason was training to face the winner of Perry versus Stephens.
Feldman’s claim about McGregor
“We expected my partner and friend Conor McGregor here today, but he cancelled last minute,” Feldman told reporters. He stressed McGregor’s mindset. “He’s extremely focused because one of you two is probably his next fight.”
Ownership and rivalries push speculation
McGregor became a part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in April 2024. He has teased a fight under the banner since. Such a plan depends on him completing the two bouts left on his UFC contract.
McGregor and Perry share bad blood after Perry’s boxing loss to Jake Paul last year. Their exchanges kept interest alive.
McGregor also crossed paths with Stephens. They had a face-off in January. Stephens was also the subject of McGregor’s famous insult at a UFC 205 press event in 2016.
McGregor’s long absence and return talk
McGregor has not fought since Dustin Poirier defeated him at UFC 264. Yet he keeps linking himself to big events. He recently put his name forward for the UFC White House card in July 2026.
Perry returns to bare-knuckle action against Stephens after beating Thiago Alves at Knucklemania IV in April 2024. Stephens comes with momentum after finishing Eddie Alvarez at Knucklemania V this January.
