UFC star Conor McGregor set the combat sports world ablaze this week, building on the buzz generated by his announcement of a return to action against YouTuber-turned-WWE star Logan Paul in a boxing match. ‘The Notorious’ further stirred excitement by shifting focus to his co-owned promotion, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Taking to Instagram, the Irishman shared, “I’m training, getting ready to face dangerous opposition bare knuckle! Nobody wanted it, now they think it’s a game. Everything happens for a reason. Let’s GO @bareknucklefc 🦾.”

The speculation gained momentum when BKFC CEO David Feldman added fuel to the fire during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. Feldman revealed, “We’re going to do another one, a big show, at the end of March or the beginning of April,” further heightening fan anticipation.

Today, McGregor amplified the excitement by posting on X to promote an upcoming BKFC event in Philadelphia. In his post, the Irishman wrote, “WE ARE BAD MOTHERF**ERS IN BAREKNUCKLE, END OF. Watch the content below. 🚀 See you soon, beautiful Philadelphia, home of Rocky Balboa. We are coming in with NO GLOVES AND CLOSED FISTS and with the Heavyweight World Title on the line…”

McGregor’s bold promotion didn’t escape the attention of his former rival Michael Chandler. The Missouri native, who had waited for over 18 months for McGregor’s grand UFC return, took a swipe at the Dubliner’s involvement with BKFC. Responding in the same thread, Chandler mocked the UFC star, saying, “Who TF is ‘we’—you are a suit, and the ones you wear keep getting cheaper and cheaper. You’ll be flipping through the clearance rack in no time…@TheNotoriousMMA.”

Chandler’s jab hit during a particularly rocky phase in McGregor’s career, as the Irishman finds himself in the spotlight for reasons beyond the Octagon. In November 2023, the Dublin High Court ruled against McGregor in a civil lawsuit filed, ordering him to pay €250,000 in damages. The verdict triggered significant fallout, with major organizations, business partners, and associates distancing themselves from the Irishman.

Once celebrated as a symbol of success and an unstoppable brand, the Irishman’s reputation has taken a sharp downturn, leaving his legacy deeply shaken and fractured. At the same time, McGregor’s financial claims have come under renewed scrutiny. An MMA analyst recently questioned the legitimacy of the earnings the UFC star reportedly projected for his rumored fight with Logan Paul in India, further amplifying doubts about his current standing in the combat sports world.

Is Conor McGregor really fighting Logan Paul?

Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to combat sports has sparked excitement among fans but also raised questions, particularly following his announcement about a “preliminary agreement with the Ambani family” to face Logan Paul in India. Last month, ‘The Notorious’ intensified speculation by posting “250000000” alongside “#iamcoming” and an Indian flag emoji, suggesting that each fighter would earn $250 million, bringing the total purse to a staggering $500 million.

The bold claims have drawn skepticism, particularly from UFC fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen, who is known for challenging overhyped narratives. Sonnen, who previously cast doubt on the financial figures surrounding Conor McGregor’s 2017 boxing match, is equally wary of the rumored fight in Mumbai.

During a conversation with UFC star Bo Nickal, Sonnen dismissed the claims as “fake” and criticized the premise, stating, “What a scam – the whole thing is flawed… First off, it’s not Saudi Arabia, it’s India; for some Indian billionaire who wants to bring tourism to the country [when] India is the most populated country in the world. Like, it is just fake.”

What do you think of Conor McGregor’s recent strategy in promoting his upcoming fights? Do you agree with Michael Chandler’s comment that ‘Mystic Mac’s’ “suits” are becoming “cheaper and cheaper”? Share your thoughts below!