- Conor McGregor was at ringside as BKFC travelled to Newcastle on Saturday
- The Irishman downed a drink with a fighter who scored a huge one-punch KO
A victorious bare knuckle boxer enjoyed a post-fight celebration to remember alongside Conor McGregor at BKFC 68 Newcastle.
McGregor has become a regular feature at BKFC events since becoming a part-owner of the burgeoning promotion earlier this year.
The Irishman was ringside on Saturday as BKFC held an event at the Utilita Arena, and quickly found himself under the spotlight following the clash between Lewis Keen and Ben Bonner.
In the first of five scheduled rounds, Bonner landed a huge right hand that resulted in his opponent crashing down onto the canvas unconscious.
After taunting the downed fighter, Bonner made his way over to McGregor at ringside and was promptly passed a can of the UFC star’s Forged Irish Stout.
Conor McGregor was filmed downing a drink with a BKFC fighter after they scored a KO win
Ben Bonner secured a highlight-reel knockout of Lewis Keen at BKFC 68 in Newcastle
McGregor has served as a minority owner of the bare-knuckle boxing promotion since April
McGregor than shared a drink with the fighter as the jubilant celebrations well and truly got underway.
However, the clip proved divisive among fans on social media, with some claiming McGregor’s long-awaited return to competition will not take place.
One wrote: ‘Yeah, he’s never fighting again.’
Another agreed: Yup conor is never gonna fight again. Too busy partying and enjoying his money. I guess he earned it. He’s already made his legacy as a double champ.’
A third fan argued: ‘McGregor is just living his best life and the best thing to happen to BKFC since Perry.’
The last time McGregor stepped inside the Octagon was in July of 2021 when he was defeated by Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout at UFC 264.
During the fight the former two-weight UFC champion suffered a major leg injury that forced him to take an extended hiatus from competition.
Since then he has been repeatedly linked with a return, having coached The Ultimate Fighter alongside Michael Chandler ahead of a slated clash with the lightweight contender.
Some fans claimed the incident was evidence that McGregor’s days as an active fighter are over
The showdown was eventually booked for UFC 303 in June of this year but was cancelled just weeks before the event after he suffered a broken toe.
McGregor stated following the cancellation that he hoped to compete before the end of the year but UFC president Dana White told Mail Sport last month that he now expects the Irishman to return next summer.
He said: ‘Conor will be back in the Octagon in the summer of 2025. Trust me, it’ll be worth the wait.’
