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Despite UFC Contract, Conor McGregor Could Still Make a “Million PPV Buys” at BKFC against Mike Perry, Joe Rogan Once Stated

Published 04/28/2024, 2:12 PM EDT

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Joe Rogan is a big fan of Conor McGregor fighting Mike Perry in a bare-knuckle boxing match. Bare-knuckle boxing has emerged as a new and exciting combat sport, with many ex-UFC fighters and champions trying their hand at the fledgling sport. But none has made a mark like ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry, who retired Thiago Alves after a fantastic first-round knockout at KnuckleMania last night.

Rogan was joined by Perry last year on his JRE podcast, where the duo discussed Conor McGregor facing off with ‘Platinum’ following his victory over another UFC legend, Eddie Alvarez last year. And Rogan was positively salivating at the prospect of UFC’s biggest star possibly crossing over to bare-knuckle.

Joe Rogan thinks Perry vs. McGregor will do millions of PPV buys

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Joe Rogan, discussing McGregor’s face-off with Perry, was a big fan of the idea of McGregor trying his hand at the quintessential pugilist sport and fighting Perry at the BKFC. The podcast host felt it would be a blockbuster hit on PPV.

“Listen if he [McGregor] decided to do that, if somehow or another they [the UFC] gave him the green light to do that… if that happened in a bare-knuckle fight, that would be f***ing bananas, that would be bananas… But I mean if somehow or another he agreed to fight bare-knuckle, Jesus Christ, you know how big that would be?… That would be wild, and it would be cool, man… If they did that in bare-knuckle, it would get a million pay-per-view buys at least, [or even] more,” he said on his podcast.

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Mike Perry, who left the UFC in 2021 after an unremarkable UFC career, signed with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), America’s first bare-knuckle boxing promotion of any significance. Over the past three years, the Michigan native has emerged as the biggest star in the sport with notable victories over the likes of Michael ‘Venom’ Page, Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez.

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Last year, Perry continued building his legend as he notched up a knockout victory over Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 56. Present at the ring side was Conor McGregor. After victory, ‘Platinum’ asked Conor McGregor to enter the ring. The two engaged in an amicable and respectful face-off, with McGregor congratulating Perry before putting the BKFC belt on him. And although it might be like a very long shot, it seems that a bare-knuckle bout between McGregor and Perry is one step closer to being realized after last night’s mega-announcement.

Conor McGregor becomes part-owner of BKFC

Conor McGregor, as we have seen, was very impressed with the BKFC 56 event last year. So impressed that he has become part owner of the bare-knuckle promotion, it was announced at the BKFC KnuckleMania 4 event, which saw Perry score a first-round knockout against former BKFC champion and UFC veteran Thiago Alves.

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‘Triller’ remains the majority stake-owner in the BKFC, and McGregor’s entry into the ownership group is expected to attract more eyeballs and boost the promotion’s popularity, with McGregor helping promote its events. “‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor here. Ladies and gentlemen, a huge announcement that I have for you today, Conor McGregor myself and McGregor Sports and Entertainment is now an owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships.” ‘Mac’ said in a video and went on to congratulate BKFC CEO David Feldman.

McGregor, of course, is training for his much-awaited comeback at UFC 303 on June 29 against Michael Chandler after their contention ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ stint last year. And still has two fights left on his UFC contract. After that, who knows, maybe the BKFC can make him an offer he simply can’t refuse.

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Written by:

Kanishk Thakur

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Kanishk Thakur is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports with nearly 5 years of professional writing experience. Kanishk has expertly covered the heated rivalries of the fight game, and delivered meticulous reports of payouts of PPV events and Fight Nights, in addition to covering the personal side of fighters outside the sport. He is also an ardent Joe Rogan fan, who hopes to draw in more fans to the sport as Rogan did for him.
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Edited by:

Sakshi Jain