Former UFC champion Conor McGregor makes wave with BKFC involvement

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has solidified his partnership with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) by becoming a part-owner of the promotion.

The announcement was made during the KnuckleMania 4 event in Sturgis, South Dakota, where McGregor made a grand entrance accompanied by ring girls and his signature walkout song.

"Welcome to the big leagues. David Feldman, baby, we did it," McGregor declared, addressing BKFC president David Feldman.

McGregor echoed the excitement, stating, "We had some unbelievable conversations, some great ideas already exchanged. It was funny, I was telling my wife, ‘I was dying for Conor McGregor to call me and now the guy won’t stop calling me.’ It’s unbelievable."

Meanwhile, McGregor is facing legal troubles outside the ring as he was handed a five-month suspended sentence for dangerous driving earlier this week.

The 36-year-old had been travelling in his Bentley Continental GT when he was stopped by the State Police in Ireland (Gardai) on the motorway.

The former UFC champion was also fined €5,000 and given a two-year driving ban.

Judge David McHugh described the incident as "an appalling series of breaches of the road traffic rules and an appalling episode of dangerous driving."

In 2021, McGregor was named the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes, with earnings of $180 million. He also ranked fourth in 2018, earning $99 million.