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Conor McGregor has always been synonymous with theatrics, and he proved once again why he’s one of combat sports' biggest showmen. The former UFC double champion turned part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made a predictably unpredictable entrance at the KnuckleMania 5 press conference in Philadelphia.
The event, which featured a stacked lineup headlined by Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens, began without McGregor despite his advertised attendance. For nearly an hour, the fighters fielded questions, and the anticipation for McGregor’s arrival built like a slow-burning fuse. Just as the crowd’s murmurs began to simmer into impatience, McGregor stormed the stage in classic "Notorious" fashion, unapologetically making the moment his own.
“Sorry I’m late. I don’t give a f*ck,” McGregor bellowed to the Philadelphia crowd, triggering an eruption of cheers. Donning his signature swagger, he added, “I’m the big boss around here. Philadelphia, what’s up? I’m here to summon the Gods of fighting to action. May they turn our combatants’ knuckles to knives.”
It was pure McGregor: brash, magnetic, and utterly captivating.
A Historic Event for Philadelphia
The press conference, held ahead of Saturday's KnuckleMania 5 event at the Wells Fargo Center, showcased BKFC’s growing momentum. BKFC founder and CEO David Feldman announced that the card is expected to break the all-time attendance record for a combat sports event in Philadelphia — a record previously held by the UFC.
McGregor’s connection to the main event fighters only added to the spectacle. Eddie Alvarez, a Philadelphia native, was famously dethroned by McGregor in 2016 when “The Notorious” became the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion at Madison Square Garden. Jeremy Stephens, meanwhile, shares a notorious history with McGregor from the same UFC press conference where McGregor unleashed the now-iconic retort, “Who the f*ck is that guy?”
With those rivalries now a part of MMA lore, McGregor’s presence at the BKFC event brings the narrative full circle. As Alvarez and Stephens prepare for their bare-knuckle showdown, McGregor’s larger-than-life aura looms over the bout.
McGregor’s Vision for BKFC
Since becoming a part-owner of BKFC in 2024, McGregor has embraced the promotion’s gritty appeal and unrelenting action. At the press conference, he didn’t just promote the fight — he elevated it to almost mythical proportions.
“On Saturday night, may we all bleed in the honor of Philadelphia’s rich fighting history,” McGregor proclaimed. “May we as Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the alien of combat sports, rise above the night sky and rain down blows viciously and prove our worth against any deniers.”
His words, though dramatic, capture the essence of what BKFC represents — an untamed, unfiltered take on combat sports that stands apart from traditional MMA or boxing.
The Big Fight
The Alvarez vs. Stephens main event is set to deliver fireworks. Both fighters have reputations for being unrelenting warriors, and their transition to bare-knuckle fighting has only amplified their ferocity.
Alvarez, fighting in front of his hometown crowd, brings the pressure of representing Philadelphia’s fighting spirit. Stephens, on the other hand, is looking to settle scores and prove himself against one of the toughest competitors in combat sports.
McGregor’s involvement has already pushed the event to new heights. His presence alone guarantees a global spotlight, but his role as a promoter and part-owner signals something larger: the “Notorious” vision for BKFC as a force to be reckoned with in combat sports.
McGregor’s Moment
Conor McGregor’s ability to command attention, even in a room full of seasoned fighters, remains unmatched. Whether he’s arriving late to a press conference or hyping a fight with his poetic bombast, McGregor continues to be the ultimate showman.
As the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center prepares for a night of bloody battles, one thing is clear: McGregor isn’t just along for the ride with BKFC. He’s driving the ship, and he’s doing it his way — unapologetically late, unmistakably loud, and undeniably captivating.
KnuckleMania 5 promises to be a historic night, and with McGregor in the mix, it’s destined to be unforgettable.