Conor McGregor and Mike Perry once again found themselves in a heated exchange, this time during the BKFC 82 press conference held in New Jersey. Perry, who defends his “King of Violence” belt in Newark against Jeremy Stephens, returned to bare-knuckle competition after his boxing loss to Jake Paul in July 2024. McGregor, part-owner of BKFC, made it clear that Perry’s place in the promotion depends on his performance this weekend.
“We’ve got our ‘King of Violence’ world title on the line by the current champ, Mike Perry, the King of Violence, making his return,” McGregor said. “A man that paved the way in this sport and rose up and done incredible things. Then he made an error and went a different way, biggest mistake in my opinion, but now he’s back. People are underrating him. He’s got a big point to prove. And you know what’s at stake, Michael? If you don’t perform, you’re gone. You can go back to those exhibition bouts and those Misfits where they put on the big gloves, we’ll part ways, but I’m confident you’ll show up and do your thing, and I’m excited to see it.”
McGregor on the matchup and stakes
McGregor also broke down the fight dynamics between Perry and Stephens. He acknowledged Stephens’ punching power but emphasized Perry’s size and determination.
“And who are you against? You’re against a man, Jeremy Stephens, ‘Who The F*ck Is That Guy’, the one and only. The hardest-hitting 145-pounder. Listen to that. He’s a hard-hitting man, for sure, but he’s also a 145-pounder. Michael Perry is a 170-pounder, so that can never be overlooked. That’s a fierce man, a ferocious man, a man with his back against the wall. And for me in this bout, I’m undecided. I’m absolutely undecided. This could go either way, but one thing is for certain: this is gonna be one hell of a fight. And you know what’s at stake again? They’re both angling for a fight against the big boss, me. For me, who would I wish? Who would I prefer? Either or. I hope for a fight for our fans and I’m confident of that because no fight in bare-knuckle history has been a boring fight.”
Perry fires back at McGregor
During the back-and-forth, Dillon Danis’ name came up as a potential opponent for Perry, which led to more tense exchanges. Perry expressed his confidence about beating Stephens and hinted at bigger opportunities afterward.
“I’ve carried this whole shit on my back,” Perry said. “I’m gonna have bigger and better things to do after victory on Saturday night.”
McGregor pushed Perry to focus on legitimate title ambitions.
“You gotta fight for that world title, Mike,” McGregor said. “You’ve never been a world champion. You’re no world champion. So without a world title in this promotion — I only speak as I spoke, when I secure two UFC world titles. We made this fight for you.”
Conor McGregor just told Mike Perry he’s getting fired if he loses 😭
“You know what’s at stake Michael, if you don’t perform, you’re gone!” pic.twitter.com/KctBog7xRA
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 2, 2025
Perry responded by pointing to his history with BKFC middleweight champion David Mundell.
“I beat that world champion twice,” Perry responded. “I knocked him out twice in [MMA]. I mean, look, I’m gonna beat Jeremy’s ass on Saturday. Wherever, wherever they call me after, I accept…”
McGregor cut him off mid-sentence.
“Your next fight is for a world title,” McGregor interrupted him.
Perry floated more possibilities for the future.
“If the big money fight ends up being fighting Dillon Danis in MMA — or how about me and Conor at the White House?” Perry responded. “You need to find an American who can win. I’m the only one here fighting.”
McGregor had the final word.
“Your next fight, Mike — if you win, by the way, Jeremy has some good shots and your stance and movements and reactions, I see real paths for Jeremy,” McGregor said. “However, your next [fight], if you get through this, has got to be for a world title. You should be climbing for a world title in this organization, not try to piggyback around and do this bullshit. No one cares.”
Perry held his ground on the importance of his current belt.
“What you mean? My King of Violence [belt] is a world title,” Perry said. “Who cares about that bum that I knocked out twice? Obviously nobody. He’s nobody.” via MMAFighting
Vintage Conor McGregor just came out to trash talk Mike Perry 😂 pic.twitter.com/gJ6scf7wh1
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 2, 2025
McGregor’s future plans go beyond BKFC
While this fiery exchange grabbed attention, McGregor’s ambitions stretch further. The Irish superstar has been campaigning for a UFC comeback at the White House in 2026, tied to America’s 250th birthday celebrations. He has made it clear he expects a major purse and a headline role if the plan materializes. Balancing BKFC involvement with his UFC goals, McGregor continues to position himself at the center of multiple combat sports storylines.
