Injured Conor McGregor ‘looking forward’ to seeing out UFC contract with massive career change on the cards

CONOR McGREGOR is champing at the bit to finish his UFC contract and test free agency. The former two-division champion has ONE FIGHT left on his deal with mixed martial arts‘ top promotion. Conor McGregor has one fight left on his current UFC deal Credit: GETTY He’ll have to wait until 2027 to enter free agency as he’s currently injured Credit: GETTY But he’ll have to wait until the summer of 2027 to enter free agency as he suffered a devastating torn ACL in his cage comeback against Max Holloway last month. The Irishman, who went under the knife earlier this month, will have a wealth of competitive options available to him once he sees out his UFC contract – including the opportunity to box in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! And BKFC chairman Dave Feldman firmly believes ‘The Notorious’, who is a stakeholder in the promotion, will make good on his vow to enter the bare-knuckle world once he becomes a free agent. In an exclusive interview with SunSport, Feldman said: “He’s really looking forward to coming back and getting that last fight under his belt. “So that way it clears him up for the ability to fight in the BKFC. “And I really do think you see that happening. “Obviously, it depends on what happens with this next fight. “If he can come out injury-free, you know, I would bet the house that you’ll see Conor McGregor in BKFC. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Conor McGregor tore his right ACL in his rematch with Max Holloway Credit: GETTY McGregor was “beyond dark” after blowing out his right knee in his rematch with Holloway, which lasted 69 seconds. But judging from his recent social media updates, he’s optimistic about making a speedy recovery and returning to the cage next year. Feldman sensed that optimism during a recent phone call with ‘Mystic Mac’, saying: “I had a long conversation with him last night actually, and it was great. “[He] was the most enthusiastic I ever heard. He said, ‘I’ll be back. I’m doing this. “They want me to do this, you want me to do this, but I’m not doing anything until I get right and I have that next fight. ‘The Notorious’ went under the knife earlier this month Credit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA Conor McGregor was ‘beyond dark’ after his latest injury setback Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK But according to BKFC business partner Dave Feldman, the Irishman is in now in great spirits Credit: BKFC “I was there in attendance. It was very, very unfortunate. But at the end of the day, his spirits are very, very high. “And he’s very focused on what’s to come next. And he sounds very, very good. I actually messaged him afterwards. “I always said, you sound unbelievable, the best that I’ve ever heard you, man. You know, keep it going.” McGregor spent 11 months on the sidelines after tearing the ACL in his left knee in his first fight with Holloway in August 2013. He faces a similar spell on the sidelines following his latest setback, with UFC supremo Dana White saying last weekend: “He’s out for a year.” Comment now