When Conor McGregor finishes his battle with Michael Chandler at UFC 303, he’ll depart the octagon as a fighter with just one bout left on his contract.
The Irish famous person documented previous to signing his newest bout settlement that his present cope with the UFC solely had two fights remaining, and one comes towards Chandler on June 29. As the most important attract UFC historical past, it appears extremely unlikely the promotion will let McGregor slip away, however the former two-division champion has lengthy aspired to check himself in different areas, together with a possible return to boxing — and he’s even proven curiosity in testing the waters in bare-knuckle competitors.
After attending a BKFC present final yr, McGregor touted that he needed to throw arms with out gloves a minimum of as soon as in his profession. That was precisely what Mike Perry needed to listen to after inviting McGregor into the ring for an impromptu faceoff following his damaging win over ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold.
Now, nearly precisely one yr later, Perry isn’t banking on that combat materializing, however he’s additionally good sufficient to know that something is feasible, particularly with the form of leverage McGregor maintains over his personal profession.
“I believe it may very well be a chance,” Perry informed MMA Preventing of preventing McGregor. “When my supervisor shared it and [he was like], ‘It will occur,’ I used to be like, whoa, that’s cool.
“Look, Conor likes to throw arms. He’s a terrific boxer. Fought Floyd Mayweather. He acquired a entrance row seat to look at my present with Luke [Rockhold] and he gave me respect by coming into the ring and giving me a few of his time there. I believe it will be enjoyable and unbelievable.”
After all, Perry understands that signing up for a combat with McGregor could be an invite to a number of the most vicious trash speak within the sport.
McGregor rose to fame partially as a result of he by no means had an issue talking his thoughts, and there’s no line he gained’t cross to have interaction in psychological warfare together with his opposition. He famously engaged in a verbal assault on Dustin Poirier’s spouse, and did a lot of the identical to Khabib Nurmagomedov earlier than they met in 2018.
Perry concedes that he’ll by no means match McGregor phrase for phrase, however he’s undecided the at all times outspoken Irishman may sustain with him punch for punch within the ring.
“Possibly he would rip me aside with the phrases. I’d be there for it!” Perry stated. “Let’s go! I’d study a factor or two for certain, and I’d attempt to train him a factor or two within the ring when it got here to preventing. I wouldn’t need any excuses and I’m certain he’s so good at speaking, he wouldn’t have any excuses if we did combat and it goes the best way I believe it will go.
“It may probably be that massive dream combat that persons are ready on. I’ll simply preserve successful within the meantime and preserve scaring these guys from wanting to return over right here and see me.”
Since largely turning into the face of BKFC, Perry has referred to as out numerous high-profile opponents with hopes he may get even larger fights for his bare-knuckle profession.
A pair have answered the problem, however Perry believes he might have unintentionally scared just a few away together with his brutal performances. That checklist would possibly embody one-time UFC title challenger Darren Until, who Perry claimed turned down a $2 million supply to combat him on the upcoming BKFC KnuckleMania IV card in Los Angeles on Saturday.
As an alternative, Perry faces UFC veteran Thiago Alves in the primary occasion.
In contrast to the Until matchup, Perry has little doubt that if the financials are in place, McGregor would completely go to struggle with him, which is why he gained’t low cost the possibility that the combat may occur down the street.
“Darren Until’s going to maintain being scared,” Perry stated. “If Thiago reveals up, what I do to him would possibly scare some others and it’d deliver up some actual ones. Conor’s an actual one. He would possibly see the problem there and actually have an interest.”
