BKFC’s King of Violence, Mike Perry, wants to see Conor McGregor back in the octagon ASAP, but believes the UFC is delaying his comeback.
Meanwhile, Perry, after nearly a 5-year hiatus, is set to return to MMA on May 16 and will take on Nate Diaz on MVP’s Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card, which will stream live on Netflix.
During a recent sitdown with Ariel Helwani, “Platinum” took a lighthearted jab at McGregor:
“Conor’s punching the air right now, me and Nate [Diaz] instead of his trilogy. [Imitates McGregor] Damn Platinum Perry, King of Violence, working off my shine in Bare Knuckle. He’s never fought anybody in bare knuckle.”
Conor McGregor was rumored to meet Nate Diaz a third time to complete their trilogy. However, now that Diaz has opted to be a part of MVP’s blockbuster triple-headliner, the UFC may not welcome him back again.
Next, Perry lauded McGregor, adding that the latter is trying his best to make a UFC return in 2026, but the promotion is giving the Irishman a hard time:
“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.”
Mike Perry calls out Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor had expressed interest in fighting on the UFC Freedom 250 card, but the June 14 lineup is now set, and his name is absent from the bout list.
The 37-year-old is now expected to make his return on the International Fight Week card in July. The Dubliners’ manager met with the UFC brass earlier this month, and so far, there has been no word on how the negotiations went and who “The Notorious” will fight on his return.
Meanwhile, Mike Perry thinks a Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler bout, which fans wanted to witness to complete the TUF 31 Saga, does not make sense anymore. He then added:
“He [Conor McGregor] could fight me in Bare Knuckle, maybe if he wanted.”
McGregor, a part-owner of the BKFC, has previously shown interest in a bare-knuckle boxing match down the line, and is also game to fight BKFC’s King of Violence.
For now, the former UFC double champ, who has 2 fights left in his contract, is laser-focused on returning to the octagon this year. He is already the most tested UFC fighter in 2026, going all out in training and ready to face anyone.