Conor McGregor calls out surprise next opponent – | Boxing News

Conor McGregor has referred to as out his outdated UFC rival Jeremy Stephens for a struggle, this time beneath the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) banner.

The call-out got here after Stephens’ dominant efficiency towards Eddie Alvarez at BKFC KnuckleMania V in Philadelphia, the place he secured victory by sending Alvarez to the mat within the third spherical, resulting in Alvarez’s nook dropping by the wayside.

Following his post-fight interview, Stephens had a face-off with BKFC co-proprietor McGregor, who has beforehand proven curiosity in competing in naked-knuckle combating earlier than retiring. The two have shared a contentious previous since their exchange on the UFC 205 press convention in 2016, the place McGregor famously dismissed Stephens with the road: “who the f**k is that guy?” Although their bout by no means materialised within the UFC, it now seems to be a chance in BKFC.

During their confrontation, McGregor challenged Stephens, saying: “Who the f*** is this guy? Let’s set a date. Who’s going to stop me man to man? No one’s going to stop me. Dave [Feldman], make a date, let’s do it. I’m down for it bro.”

Following a heated exchange, BKFC president Feldman revealed McGregor had expressed his intention to struggle Stephens beneath naked knuckle guidelines. Feldman shared during the post-fight press convention: “As I was walking out of the arena, Conor actually tapped me on the shoulder and he told me to make sure that I tell everybody that he’s fighting Jeremy Stephens in BKFC,” However, regardless of McGregor’s eagerness, he stays contracted to the UFC.

The 36 yr outdated is at the moment searching for a new opponent after the MMA promotion dismissed rumours of a bout with Logan Paul. McGregor himself clarified why the proposed conflict with ‘The Maverick’ fell via. Speaking to “The Schmo”, he stated: “It is what it is. The UFC just aren’t into it. The offer was there on the table, in writing. Both athletes will say, ‘He’s not fighting,’ but both athlete are under the TKO banner. UFC, WWE both rising up. The stock price of TKO Holding Ground (is) through the roof. New market in India opened up and booming. It was business savvy, and business sense to make the fight happen. Or should I say the glorified spar happen.”

“In between this waiting period that we find ourselves in before I can get back to the octagon, it made perfect sense on the calendar to go ahead with it. The UFC weren’t into it. The WWE, I’m not sure what their interest in it was. I just knew the UFC weren’t into it.”