Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) star Mike Perry has openly stated his belief that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is actively impeding Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the octagon.
Perry himself is gearing up for his own comeback to mixed martial arts after nearly five years, with a scheduled bout against Nate Diaz on May 16. This fight is part of a high-profile event streaming live on Netflix, notably featuring Ronda Rousey versus Gina Carano as a main attraction.
During a recent discussion with Ariel Helwani, “Platinum” Perry playfully jabbed at McGregor. He humorously imagined McGregor’s reaction to Perry’s upcoming fight with Diaz, suggesting McGregor might be frustrated that someone else is stepping in for what was once heavily rumored to be his own trilogy bout with Diaz.
Perry went on to praise McGregor’s efforts, stating that he knows McGregor is working hard to make a UFC return in 2026. However, Perry firmly believes that the promotion is deliberately making things difficult for the Irish superstar. “Conor, the world is excited to see you back in the ring. I know you are working on it. I know you are trying. I know the UFC is giving you a hard time. We are all looking forward to seeing him back in the ring,” Perry remarked.
Conor McGregor had previously indicated his interest in competing on the UFC Freedom 250 card. However, with the June 14 lineup now finalized, McGregor’s name is notably absent. Current expectations point towards his return during the International Fight Week card in July.
McGregor’s manager reportedly met with UFC brass earlier this month, but no official word has been released regarding the outcome of those negotiations or the identity of “The Notorious'” next opponent. McGregor himself has hinted at shifting plans from the UFC regarding a potential Michael Chandler fight, and even suggested he might face the winner of the BMF title fight between Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway.
Meanwhile, Mike Perry believes that a long-discussed bout between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, which would have capped off their rivalry from The Ultimate Fighter 31, no longer holds the same relevance. Instead, Perry threw down a challenge to McGregor: “He [Conor McGregor] could fight me in Bare Knuckle, maybe if he wanted.”
It’s worth noting that McGregor, who is a part-owner of BKFC, has previously expressed a willingness to compete in bare-knuckle boxing. For the time being, the former UFC double-champion, who has two fights remaining on his current contract, is reportedly intensely focused on making his return to the octagon this year. He is understood to be undergoing extensive training and testing, prepared to face any opponent the UFC puts in front of him.
