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Conor McGregor is once again stirring excitement, this time teasing what could be the most significant signing in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) history.
During a press conference in Italy promoting BKFC’s upcoming event on April 26, McGregor, who now holds a stake in the organization, dropped a major hint regarding MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko’s possible arrival. When a reporter likened McGregor’s accomplishments to those of Emelianenko and Royce Gracie, the Irishman’s response turned heads.
“Fedor Emelianenko?” McGregor said with a knowing grin. “Stay tuned, we might have some announcements with Fedor Emelianenko. Hey Fedor, we’re waiting. Some news might be coming with Fedor Emelianenko. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is signing and acquiring the best fighters of all time, past, present, and future, and everyone wants to be a part of this.”
If true, this would be a seismic addition to BKFC’s growing roster. Over the years, the promotion has drawn several former UFC stars, including Eddie Alvarez, Mike Perry, Jeremy Stephens, Ben Rothwell, Paige VanZant, and Thiago Alves. However, bringing in Emelianenko, widely considered the greatest MMA heavyweight of all time, would elevate BKFC to another level.
Emelianenko, 48, last competed at Bellator 290 in February 2023, where he suffered a second loss to Ryan Bader before officially retiring. His dominant 28-fight unbeaten streak from 2001-2009 cemented his legendary status, with wins over top names like Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Andrei Arlovski. Since retiring, "The Last Emperor" has shown no clear intent to return to competition, but McGregor’s comments suggest otherwise.
While Emelianenko’s future remains uncertain, McGregor is focused on expanding BKFC’s global presence. He revealed ambitious plans for the promotion’s international reach, eyeing a potential event in his native Ireland in 2026.
“2026, I believe,” McGregor stated when asked about a BKFC Ireland card. “We are coming back to Italy, we’ve already got No. 2 planned… And then we’ve got Dubai, we’ve got Australia, we’ve got a real globe-trotting plan here for 2025. I assume Ireland, which has a rich bare-knuckle history itself, will be 2026. That’s what I will aim for.”
BKFC Italy is set to take place on April 26 at Palazzo Wanny in Florence, headlined by a cruiserweight title rematch between Chris Camozzi and Lorenzo Hunt. Whether Emelianenko joins the BKFC ranks or not, McGregor’s enthusiasm is pushing the promotion into the global spotlight.