The BKFC has taken the combat sports world by storm since its inception in 2021, which showcases the century-old fighting style, bare-knuckle boxing. UFC star Conor McGregor recently became a part-owner of the promotion, adding to the number of businesses he has. If you’re wondering why he decided to choose BKFC, former UFC star Jeremy Stephens believes that he has an explanation for it.

Conor McGregor has been a fan of the BKFC long before he associated himself with the promotion. After all, how can fight fans forget the face-off he had with Mike Perry in 2023? McGregor’s been vocal about his passion for bare-knuckle boxing, and the reason, according to Jeremy Stephens, is that BKFC is as real as it can get.

Jeremy Stephens throws some light on Conor McGregor and his love for BKFC

Over the years, combat sports have become more professional, with more equipment and more rules that cater to the safety of the athletes. But when it comes to the BKFC, there are rules, but the only equipment fighters have is hand wraps. Jeremy Stephens claims that the most exciting part of bare-knuckle fighting; there’s almost no room for error.

“It’s more primal for sure. It’s definitely more primal [and] it’s more alive. You can’t make mistakes,” Jeremy Stephens told ‘TMZ Sports’. He also added that, unlike MMA or boxing, even what appears to be the slightest of blows can bust open a fighter easily. That’s seemingly what Conor McGregor seems to love about the BKFC, which is the uncertain nature of every fight.

“One shot, one jab if it cuts you that could be it… I think that’s why Conor is buying into it because you have to be psychotically skilled, I mean, at a high level,” Jeremy Stephens added. Despite the 18-minute duration of a fight, most BKFC fights have ended mostly in knockouts, and that’s been a source of excitement for many fans.

Jeremy Stephens and Conor McGregor never got to fight with each other in the UFC. The only memorable moment between the two fighters took place at UFC 205 when ‘The Notorious dropped the famous “Who the f— is that guy?” line. Maybe there’s a chance now that fans might get that fight, but we can’t be too sure about that. The only thing we can be sure of is that Stephens is relishing McGregor as a part-owner of the BKFC.

Ex-UFC star claims Conor McGregor is “the Fertittas to the Dana White” in BKFC

Very few MMA fighters, or combat sports athletes for that matter, can make as much noise as Conor McGregor does. There were very few doubts about his status as a superstar when UFC 303 recorded a $20 million total gate in the beginning, although he had to pull out due to an injury. That kind of money can prove to work wonders for the BKFC, as Jeremy Stephens compared him to the former owners of the UFC.

“I feel like he’s the Fertittas to the Dana White. He’s the money behind the driving force. Anything Conor touches, it’s gold. He brings a lot of eyes to the brand,” Jeremy Stephens told ‘MMA Junkie’. The former UFC fighter is expecting some big and credible signings in the future for the BKFC because of the association of Conor McGregor with the promotion.

What are your thoughts about Conor McGregor’s love for BKFC? Let us know in the comments down below.