Perry Open to a Fight with McGregor
Mike Perry believes a bare-knuckle bout against Conor McGregor could become reality if the circumstances align. Speaking ahead of his next fight, Perry said he sees a legitimate path to a matchup with the former UFC superstar, provided both fighters are fully committed.
BKFC 82 and the Build-Up
Perry is set to defend his King of Violence title against Jeremy Stephens in the main event of BKFC 82 on October 4 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. At a recent press conference, promoter David Feldman noted that McGregor was not in attendance because he is monitoring the outcome of the Perry vs. Stephens fight. When asked about a potential McGregor matchup—who is still under a UFC contract—Perry expressed excitement, citing his recent focus on training and discipline as key to positioning himself for a big fight.
McGregor’s Status and Perry’s Vision
Conor McGregor, co-owner of BKFC and former two-division UFC champion, has not competed since a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 over four years ago. McGregor has teased a return, including a possible fight on the UFC’s proposed White House card in July 2026. Perry sees a bare-knuckle showdown as a unique and lucrative opportunity, pointing out that McGregor has the skills, the drive, and the financial incentive to make it happen.
Momentum in BKFC
Since leaving the UFC, Perry has enjoyed success in BKFC, securing stoppage victories over former champions Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez, along with a win over current UFC fighter Michael Page. While his immediate focus is on defeating Stephens in style, Perry believes that a standout performance could pave the way for a blockbuster fight with McGregor. “If I put on the right performance and make enough noise, the chances of fighting Conor could be very real,” Perry said, emphasizing the importance of taking it one step at a time.
