Conor McGregor faced a tumultuous end to 2024, dealing with the fallout from a civil lawsuit verdict for sexual assault and the cancellation of a UFC fight, while simultaneously focusing on his role as a part-owner in BKFC, where he has been both supportive and controversial, notably criticizing DAZN over post-fight interview issues.
Conor McGregor faced a challenging end to 2024. A jury in Ireland found him liable in a civil lawsuit over a sexual assault accusation from years ago. This legal turmoil followed professional setbacks, including a canceled UFC fight against Michael Chandler, leaving his future in the octagon uncertain.
Following the lawsuit verdict, McGregor experienced a significant fallout. Numerous sponsors and business partners severed ties, including Proper No. 12 Irish whiskey, which he founded and later sold. Despite this, McGregor remains determined to appeal the verdict and plans to fight again. Interestingly, he’s been channeling much of his energy into promoting BKFC since becoming part-owner in 2024.
McGregor’s presence is felt strongly at BKFC events and on social media, where he boasts over 70 million followers. BKFC president David Feldman praised McGregor’s unwavering support, emphasizing their partnership through thick and thin. “We don’t want to go into what happened but at the end of the day, we’re with him,” Feldman stated. He emphasized loyalty and standing by McGregor despite past controversies.
Feldman added that they’ve supported McGregor throughout, and they anticipate an epic year ahead in 2025 for everyone involved. While McGregor’s influence has been largely positive for BKFC, he occasionally stirs things up. An example? He “fired” Mike Perry after Perry’s loss to Jake Paul in a boxing match—a move that puzzled many given his ownership role in BKFC.
Recently, during the final BKFC card of 2024, McGregor lashed out at DAZN—the streaming partner—over post-fight interview issues. “DAZN, I don’t give a f*ck,” McGregor tweeted before deleting it. Yet, his frustration was misplaced; the decision on interviews was actually BKFC’s responsibility.
Feldman clarified the situation: “It was an our production thing.” They were constrained by timelines at the venue, risking hefty fines if they overran. Feldman acknowledged McGregor’s point about fighters needing more visibility and promised adjustments to ensure they get their moment on the mic.
Despite wishing McGregor hadn’t publicly criticized DAZN, Feldman appreciates his passion for BKFC. He reassured that all issues have been resolved with DAZN, a valued partner. Moving forward, Feldman aims to ensure fighters can share their stories after big wins—something he believes is crucial for their recognition and growth within the sport.