Conor McGregor Gives 5x Irish Champ Strong Boost for BKFC “Glory”

Although his fighting days are behind him, Conor McGregor remains deeply connected to the world of combat sports. Just last year, he made headlines by joining the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and acquiring what was described as “needle-moving equity” in the promotion. The move was yet another testament to the Irishman’s enduring passion for the sport. Now, in his new role with BKFC, it’s fair to say that the UFC star is consciously walking a path paved by his longtime mentor and UFC CEO, Dana White.

With sharp business instincts and the undeniable charisma to sell a fight, Conor McGregor has clearly picked up more than a few lessons from his former boss. Much like White—who built a reputation for discovering and promoting fresh talent—’The Notorious’ is now paying it forward in BKFC. He’s using his platform to shine a light on rising stars, including fellow Irish fighter Sinead Kavanagh.

The 39-year-old veteran, who once competed in Bellator MMA’s featherweight division, is now gearing up for her debut in the bare-knuckle arena. Proving his promotional chops, Conor McGregor took to Instagram to welcome Sinead Kavanagh. In his story, he shared a clip of her training for her BKFC debut and wrote, “5 time National Senior Irish Champion and World Champion Contender MMA, Sinead KO Kavanagh eyes up @bareknucklefc glory! WOAH!” the Irishman didn’t stop there. He further boosted ‘Ko’s confidence by commenting on her post with, “Oh Yes.”

While the exact date of Sinead Kavanagh’s BKFC debut remains uncertain, the next event on the calendar—BKFC Albuquerque, scheduled in the next 24 days—is the most likely stage. However, her addition to the promotion has not yet been officially confirmed. Still, one thing is clear: by backing ‘KO’, Conor McGregor is bringing a fresh and formidable presence to a sport traditionally dominated by male athletes. Tapology ranks Kavanagh #7 among the world’s top female featherweights.

With 44% of her wins coming by knockout across 16 MMA bouts, she’s already proven she has the firepower to make waves in any arena. Now aligned with Conor McGregor, Sinead Kavanagh is poised to make a statement in the BKFC ring. Curious to know more about the 39-year-old Irish powerhouse? Let’s take a closer look at everything we know so far.

Who is Sinead Kavanagh, the top contender sponsored by Conor McGregor?

Sinead Kavanagh’s journey into combat sports began with boxing, but the path she walked was anything but smooth. Growing up as the middle child in a troubled household, she faced adversity from a young age. At just 17, while still in school, she became a mother to her son, Leon. Tragically, Leon’s father passed away shortly after his birth, and with an alcoholic mother at home, ‘Ko’ found herself in a constant struggle to provide and protect. Her hardships didn’t stop there. A devastating car crash claimed the lives of both her brother and sister, shaking her world and clouding any hope of a future in boxing.

With her dreams in doubt, she transitioned to kickboxing and later made her way into the world of MMA. At one point, her circumstances were so dire that she was homeless, trying to survive as a single mother with no steady income. The turning point in her story came when she stepped into SBG Ireland, the gym run by coach John Kavanagh. In an honest interview, Sinead shared just how difficult things had become:

“I was homeless. So, money became an issue for me. I packed boxing in, and I joined MMA at 28 – that’s 10 years ago now. I met John [Kavanagh] when I walked in. I had no money to pay for SBG. I was like, ‘I want to be an MMA fighter and I’ve got no money to pay.’ And he was just like, ‘Okay, you can mop the floors.’ So, that’s how I paid for MMA—I mopped the mats, and the rest is [history].”

It was through that very gym that she crossed paths with Conor McGregor. Impressed by her grit and determination, ‘The Notorious’ offered her financial support—especially during periods when she struggled to receive social welfare. He’s remained in her corner ever since, helping her pursue a professional career that once seemed out of reach. That loyalty has been mutual. When McGregor was entangled in a legal battle involving the Dublin High Court and the Nikita Hand case last year, Sinead Kavanagh was among the few who publicly stood by him.

Now, with Conor McGregor still in her corner, Sinead Kavanagh is ready to turn the page and start a bold new chapter. At 39, the seasoned featherweight is stepping into the BKFC spotlight, and all eyes will be on how far she can go—and how much of her talent she can put on display this time around.