David Feldman teases a fight in the works that would shake the fight game to its core.
In a recent interview, BKFC’s founder and president David Feldman stated that if he pulls off a deal he’s working on, it will be “ THE BIGGEST FIGHT IN COMBAT SPORTS HISTORY!”
The only other information we are given is:
1. It will be at a catchweight.
2. One is a boxer and one is an MMA fighter.
To state a claim like “The biggest fight in combat sports history” means that star power needs to come from both sides; both men need to be able to sell out arenas on their own. While we are speculating, one name immediately comes to mind: BKFC’s newest part owner, Conor McGregor.
In an interview with ESPN in the lead up to his now postponed fight in the UFC against Michael Chandler, McGregor stated,
“I have two fights left on my UFC contract, I’m excited to get them. What’s next? I don’t know… There’s been no talks of a re-sign.”
Photo Courtesy: BKFC
Fast forward a few months later, after his announcement of becoming a part owner of BKFC, and while attending a press conference for BKFC Spain, Conor would then say,
“I have a bit of business left with the UFC, two fights left on my contract, but for sure… I’m not up here just as an owner, you know (I’m) a player-manager.”
“My accuracy will lend well into this sport. You take my gloves off, my speed and my accuracy will lend very well into this game. I had that issue with my last fight (Chandler), I had to reschedule and postpone, I’m just looking forward to getting back into the octagon myself, handling my business with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and seeing what the future holds. The future is bright, for sure.”
“I haven’t worn gloves since I came on board, in the gym. I’m hitting the wooden wall my own self, I’m getting ready. This is likely a line up for me.
With all that out of there, it's clear McGregor intends to test the BKFC waters one way or another, meaning this massive fight that Feldman is mentioning will most likely include him, even if it's a ways down the road when Conor is out of his UFC contract. Here are my thoughts on who this could mean, and yes, I’m swinging for the fences.
Photo Courtesy: BKFC
1. Conor McGregor vs. Manny Pacquiao
This fight has been rumored to be in the works for years. At one point, the pair tried to pose it as a “charity boxing match” to skirt around McGregor's UFC contract. While it may not be “MayPac” level or “Mayweather-McGregor” level, pitting these two together in a bare knuckle ring with only 10 minutes to work could unleash some of the most vicious bare knuckle fighting we have seen since its return to prominence.
Add in Pacquiao’s relationship with BKFC’s newest partner Rizin FF, and this option becomes a little less crazy. Two megastars with unresolved history dating back years, could just be this secret super fight Feldman has alluded to.
2. Conor McGregor vs. Ryan Garcia
You want to talk about build up? I think I might actually want to see the press conference for this fight more than the actual fight. Garcia has been in limbo since his suspension following his fight with Devin Haney. But a non weight drained Garcia could weigh in around 160-odd pounds and that's right in McGregor’s striking range for a catchweight.
Is two men who love their twitter rants, talking trash on the mic, and putting people to sleep in their respective sports the biggest fight in combat sports history? Well, no, BUT this would have all kinds of eyes on it, would definitely bring in massive numbers for BKFC, and would be a pretty entertaining scrap for however long it lasted.
3. Conor McGregor vs. Jake Paul
Don’t laugh, but there’s a real possibility these two meet in some capacity in the future, either in boxing or not. If you’re Conor, why not take the possible advantages that are present in the bare knuckle space. Jake can move the needle, like it or not. He got Mike Tyson out of retirement and that won’t be for a small payday. The buys that Conor brings on his own, combined with the social media machine that is Paul, and you have a fight that could circle right around the 2 Million buys range.
But if this rumoured match doesn’t involve McGregor then who is representing Team MMA? We’re keeping Jake Paul, but swapping his opponent for another one of BKFC’s prized possessions.
Photo Courtesy: BKFC
4. Mike Perry vs. Jake Paul
Our only option that doesn’t include McGregor does see him swapped out for the biggest star in bare knuckle, Mike Perry. This bout has happened once before, with Paul winning their boxing fight by sixth round TKO, but in the gloveless game this is a much more competitive fight.
And those who will say Jake would never do it, I’m not sold on that. He is just crazy and just confident enough in his abilities. He could see this as another challenge to shut the haters up, just look at his challenge of Nate Diaz to an MMA fight. While this certainly wouldn’t break the internet at the “biggest fight in combat sports history”, you can’t deny this would be a huge fight and a massive grab for BKFC.
And finally, our one shot takes all, wing and a prayer, Hail Mary, throw at the wall and see what sticks option.
5. Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor (yes I know)
By far the longest shot on this list, Floyd’s whole thing with these exhibition fights is that he’s doing them to compete without having to take unnecessary damage, when that is quite literally all that BKFC is about.
But from Floyd's side, it’s only five two-minute rounds, 10 minutes in total, and bare knuckle fighting has fewer hand fractures and less concussive damage than boxing or MMA. Now, he might get cut up but he’s not Pretty Boy Floyd anymore, he’s Money Mayweather and one this is for sure against his old foe McGregor, this thing would print money. Is it enough money to draw Floyd back into the pro ranks and lose gloves, probably (definitely) not. But let me dream!
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