Eight-year-old beef comes full circle as Conor McGregor gets in heated face-off with Jeremy Stephens, fans react: "Thought he was going to punch him"

Conor McGregor and Jeremy Stephens have just reignited a feud that's been simmering for 8 years. 'Little Heathen' knocked out Eddie Alvarez in the main event of BKFC KnuckleMania V. Afterward, he and McGregor had a face-off, which was quick to draw fan attention on social media.

A clip of the pair's face-off was shared on X, and McGregor can be heard accepting a bare-knuckle boxing match with Stephens. Aware that the UFC may not allow him to fight anywhere else but the octagon, the Irishman preemptively dismissed the notion that he could be prevented from fighting.

McGregor said:

"Who the f*** is this guy? Let's make a date, let's set a date. Who's gonna stop me, man to man? No one's gonna stop me. Dave [Feldman] make the date, let's do it. I'm down for it, bro."

Check out Conor McGregor's face-off with Jeremy Stephens:

Thereafter, McGregor and Stephens intensified their face-off, touching foreheads before embracing. Stephens previously competed in the UFC, having experience against several notable names, including former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira.

Now, it seems he may be in position to fight another former UFC champion in McGregor. Fans, though, were quick to point out that UFC CEO Dana White is unlikely to clear any bout outside of the promotion, as McGregor is still under contract with them.

"He won't fight because Dana would never let him"

Others were in awe of the intensity of the face-off.

"Once McGregor took the suit jacket off, you knew this was coming, thought he was going to punch him"

Meanwhile, some fans just aren't sold on McGregor ever fighting again.

"Conor's never fighting again lad"

A collage of fan reactions can be seen below:

Fan reaction to the Conor McGregor-Jeremy Stephens face-off

This isn't the first time McGregor has expressed an interest in bare-knuckle boxing. Unfortunately, he still hasn't fought since 2021.

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What sparked the Conor McGregor-Jeremy Stephens feud?

At the UFC 205 pre-fight presser, Conor McGregor—who was facing Eddie Alvarez for lightweight gold—was asked who, from the fighters on stage he felt presented the biggest challenge. Before he could answer, Jeremy Stephens interrupted, claiming it was him, while scoffing at McGregor's punching power.

McGregor, Stephens said, only TKO'd his foes. Stephens claimed he knocked them out cold. This led to a popular McGregor quote in response:

"Who the f*** is that guy?"

Check out Conor McGregor's response to Jeremy Stephens (47:20):