It’s not every day that a fighter wins a title with the face of Conor McGregor tattooed on his leg and earns ‘The Notorious’ one’s roaring approval in real time. But that’s exactly what happened when Spain’s Nico ‘The Iron’ Gaffie delivered a thunderous first-round knockout at BKFC 83. The crowd inside Rome’s Palazzetto dello Sport erupted, and so did McGregor, who watched the whole thing unfold live beside The Schmo.

At just 1:13 into the opening round, Gaffie flattened Dutchman Jelle Zeegers with a savage right hand, capturing the BKFC European featherweight title and sending social media into meltdown. But it wasn’t just the knockout that went viral; it was McGregor’s reaction. The co-owner of BKFC didn’t just watch like a promoter; he watched like a fan watching his protégé make history!

Conor McGregor’s ecstatic reaction to Nico Gaffie’s win at BKFC 83 sets the internet ablaze

In the video on The Schmo’s YouTube channel, McGregor can be seen watching intently as the action unfolded inside the ring, as he stated, “It’s been a high-level evening tonight, bro. It’s been high-level fighting.”

Then, as Gaffie’s right hook connected flush across Zeegers’ jaw, McGregor screamed, “Wow!” He jumped to his feet, grinning from ear to ear, as The Schmo narrated, “Wasted no time at all. That was flush, right across the jaw… the McGregor strut, paying the respects right there.” And McGregor wasn’t done. The emotion poured out of him as he shouted, “I believe! I believe! I believe!”

It wasn’t rehearsed; it was raw. The Irishman’s passion mirrored the chaos in the arena, as Gaffie strutted just like the Irishman would, in celebration. Then, while handing the championship ring for the Spanish fighter, McGregor stated, “He’s a made man in Italia, made man, that’s what you are, brother. Awesome, I believe! I love you, Nico, I love you. There you go. You’re fearless in showing your passion and showing what you’re about, and look at that, a phenomenal knockout.”

For McGregor, this wasn’t just about one victory. It was personal. Nico Gaffie isn’t your typical prospect. A 29-year-old Spanish striker from Marbella, Gaffie entered BKFC with 48 bouts of combined kickboxing, Muay Thai, and K1 experience. But what truly separates Gaffie is his devotion. Tattooing McGregor’s face on his shin wasn’t a publicity stunt; it was a statement, a mark of respect toward the fighter who inspired him to chase glory without gloves

And now, after three straight BKFC wins, including this championship knockout, the student has given the teacher plenty to cheer for. In fact, Conor McGregor had already predicted this moment days earlier during the BKFC 83 press conference. When asked about Gaffie’s goal of becoming a two-division champion, he shared, “There is no more prestigious honor than the bare-knuckle world title, and I believe, Nico, I believe I’ve seen you at featherweight, and you were incredible. You are electric. You are a pocket rocket. And I’m very excited to see you now at your natural weight.”

Those words have now seemingly aged perfectly. Gaffie’s power, poise, and precision on the night showed exactly why McGregor was so confident in him. And judging by the Irishman’s ecstatic reaction cageside, that belief has only deepened. Yet, that isn’t the only narrative that emerged from the BKFC recently!

“I am healed” McGregor shows off new perspective as he doubles down on combat sports return

Redemption. It’s a word that’s followed Conor McGregor for years, but this time, it sounds like he truly believes it. While BKFC has given the Irishman a new stage to shine on, McGregor insists his story inside the UFC isn’t finished just yet. After four years away from competition, countless controversies, and more headlines outside the cage than in it, ‘The Notorious’ recently claimed he’s ready to rewrite the script.

Speaking at the BKFC 83 pre-fight press conference in Italy, McGregor’s tone was different as he stated, “For sure, I am not here just by chance. There is a higher power, God, that dictates my journey and all of our journeys, and I live my life by God’s word. Since around that time that you mentioned at that last event, I’ve engaged in a spiritual journey, and I’m saved. I am healed.”

It’s been a long road since his last fight at UFC 264, where a broken leg ended his trilogy against Dustin Poirier. Since then, McGregor has juggled film roles, political ambitions, and personal setbacks, including a recent retroactive 18-month suspension from Combat Sports Anti-Doping for repeated whereabouts violations.

Yet, at 37, he insisted the fire burns brighter than ever as he continued, “On the back of that, the world is in for a treat. My competitive spark that was once in my heart is now a roaring blaze, so I’m very excited. I’m eager to get back, and right now I have to dial myself in and go inward. And that, I’ve done. I’m very, very excited to come back [as] my own self.”

As such, in many ways, Conor McGregor’s reaction to Nico Gaffie’s knockout felt symbolic, a fighter rediscovering joy through the success of another. The same man who once embodied pure aggression now cheers with gratitude and belief, not just in Gaffie, but in his own rebirth. From BKFC ringside to spiritual reflection, McGregor seems to be walking a fine line between his past chaos and a calmer, more purposeful version of himself.