Conor McGregor reacts to Oleksandr Usyk potentially making "wildcard option" move in BKFC after Tyson Fury rematch

Conor McGregor has responded to the possibility of Oleksandr Usyk trying his hand at bare-knuckle boxing in the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship). A former undisputed champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight in the sport of professional boxing, Usyk is scheduled to face former unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a rematch on Dec. 21, 2024.

Ukraine's Usyk defeated the UK's Fury via split decision in May 2024. He thereby captured Fury's WBC heavyweight title; while defending the WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles. With the big four (WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF) titles in his grasp simultaneously, Usyk achieved the rare feat of becoming professional boxing's undisputed heavyweight champion.

Usyk's reign ended after he relinquished his IBF belt last month (June 2024). The relinquishment was reportedly because his upcoming immediate rematch against Fury would've clashed with his IBF mandatory title defense obligations. 'The Cat' still holds the other heavyweight belts.

Speaking to Betway Insider, Sergey Lapin, who's a part of Oleksandr Usyk's training team, recently predicted that Usyk will defeat Tyson Fury in the rematch and send 'The Gypsy King' into retirement. Lapin indicated that Usyk's beaten the top heavyweight pugilists and could pursue other options after the Fury rematch.

Lapin suggested that Usyk could explore a potential fight against UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, an MMA bout against Anthony Joshua (whom Usyk's beaten twice in boxing), or a cruiserweight boxing bout against YouTuber-cum-boxer Jake Paul. Naming Conor McGregor's BKFC as another option, Lapin stated:

"Maybe that's dropping down in weight again, or maybe there's a wildcard option on the table for him; be it in the boxing ring, the MMA cage or even Conor McGregor's Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship."

The BKFC is a top-tier bare-knuckle boxing organization, which was founded in 2018 by its current president David Feldman. Conor McGregor was announced as the new BKFC co-owner in April 2024. At the BKFC Spain press conference this month, McGregor asserted that he could compete in the BKFC after completing the two fights left on his UFC contract.

Moreover, the reports of Usyk potentially crossing over to the BKFC after the Fury rematch caught McGregor's attention. In the comments section of an Usyk-BKFC-related Instagram post from his media outlet, The Mac Life, 'Mystic Mac' left the following comment alongside a fist and Euro note/money emoji:

"USYK IN BARE KNUCKLE!"

Check out a screenshot of The Mac Life's Instagram post and McGregor's comment below:

Screenshot of the post and McGregor's comment [Image courtesy: @themaclifeofficial on Instagram]

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Conor McGregor previously outlined possible next options for Oleksandr Usyk after his win over Tyson Fury

Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 0-1 boxing) is expected to end his three-year-plus MMA hiatus by returning in a welterweight bout against Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA), likely in Dec. 2024.

Incidentally, Ireland's McGregor is a longtime acquaintance of Tyson Fury, who's a UK boxing legend of Irish traveler heritage and is deeply connected with the storied bare-knuckle boxing culture. After Usyk's victory against Fury, McGregor praised both fighters on Instagram.

Furthermore, Conor McGregor implied that Fury likely deserves a rematch against Usyk, citing that even Anthony Joshua fought and lost to Usyk twice. Alternatively, 'Mystic Mac' opined that Usyk could face Joshua for the third time, followed by the long-awaited Fury-Joshua grudge match.