Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is set to make waves this weekend with its highly anticipated debut in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The event is headlined by a Cruiserweight title fight between Alessio Sakara and Chris Camozzi. However, it was the appearance of co-owner Conor McGregor at the pre-fight press conference that stole the spotlight, as he shared a deeply personal and emotional message about his journey back to competition.
McGregor reflected on his path to return to the ring, discussing his role in promoting BKFC and his plans to compete again at the UFC White House event next year. He spoke candidly about his renewed faith and transformative spiritual journey, stating, “I am not here just by chance. There is a higher power — God — that dictates my journey. I live my life by God’s word, and since the last event, I have engaged in a spiritual journey. I’m saved. I’m healed. On the back of that, the world is in for a treat. My competitive spark that was once in my heart is now a roaring blaze, so I’m very excited.”
During the conference, McGregor praised the dedication and discipline of the BKFC fighters, expressing admiration for their preparations leading up to the event. “You know, I envy these men up here. They’re about to make weight, and they’re going to go in and entertain and do what they were called to do — as am I called to do. I had to dial myself back, go inward, and I have done that. I am very, very excited to come back myself.”
The last few years have been challenging for McGregor, as he has not stepped into the Octagon since his leg break during a fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021. This hiatus has been marked by injuries and various controversies, leading many to speculate about the possibility of his return. Whether McGregor’s claims of a “reborn” self signify a genuine new beginning or yet another attempt at reinvention remains uncertain, especially considering the complexities of personal transformation in the world of sports.
As BKFC prepares to launch in Rome, fans and fighters alike will be eager to see if McGregor’s inspiring words translate into a triumphant comeback, potentially reigniting his storied career in combat sports.