Conor McGregor seeking UFC departure

The biggest star in mixed martial arts history is, without a doubt, Conor McGregor.

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The Irishman changed the game. His rise to the top of the sport was met with more than just championship titles; it was met with people from outside of the MMA space knowing his name. A true household star, one the UFC hadn’t had before. ‘The Notorious’ has managed to keep that label over the years, but his hunger and desire to compete inside the octagon are fading.

Conor McGregor has competed just once in the past five years under the UFC banner. A mixture of personal problems, contract disputes, and several lengthy injuries has kept him out for longer than he’d hoped. But at 38, McGregor is just one fight away from free agency, and he cannot wait.

Shedding his blood, sweat, and tears into the cage for the past 18 years, McGregor is ready to be a free man and test himself in other areas of the martial arts game. One promotion that continues to linger around his name is Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship—an organization that he became a part-owner of two years ago. BKFC is the premier brand of bare-knuckle boxing, showcasing many well-known talents on its stage throughout its eight-year history.

Conor McGregor wants to be the latest. Taking to social media, McGregor made his feelings clear about his next career move once his time in the UFC comes to an end, saying:

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“Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is unstoppable at the moment. What a few months we’ve had, and God bless it. God bless true fighting. I can’t wait to do it. One more [UFC bout] to go. One more to go, and the Mac Daddy is free.”

Listen to what Conor McGregor had to say about his UFC future in the video below.

🚨 Conor McGregor says he can’t wait until he is “free” from his UFC contract so he can fight in bare knuckle boxing 👀

“I can’t wait to do [bare knuckle]. One more [fight] to go and the Mac Daddy is free.” pic.twitter.com/irR2KJJl7B

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This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM.