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      Conor McGregor called out to brutal bare-knuckle fight by champion Mike Perry after shock face-off in the ring

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      CONOR McGREGOR has been called out to brutal bare-knuckle fight by Mike Perry after their shock face-off in the ring. McGregor was a surprise ringside guest at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s event in Denver.
      Mike Perry facing off with Conor McGregorCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
      He watched as ex-opponents Chad Mendes, 37, and Eddie Alvarez, 39, put on a brutal barnstormer with the latter winning.
      And McGregor, 34, stunned all when he went into the ring to confront BKFC champion Perry, 31, before teasing a bare-knuckle switch.
      Now the Irishman has been called out to take the gloves off and fight it out.
      Perry told TMZ Sports: “I think a fight looks very entertaining. The build-up. The s*** talk.
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      “We’ve both been professionals in this business a long time, everyone knows who he is, he’s been at the top that list of professional fighters and athletes.
      “Big business marketing standpoint from that, I’ve got some big, big people pushing behind me who would want to make something like this happen.
      “They believe in me and my attributes and my capabilities in the sport of bare-knuckle boxing.”
      McGregor is set to make his UFC return later in the year against Michael Chandler, 36, having been out injured since July 2021.
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      Meanwhile, Perry moved to 3-0 in BKFC after beating Luke Rockhold, 38, having punched the ex-UFC champion’s TEETH out.
      McGregor has one before crossed over to boxing, losing in a lucrative bout against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
      But he needed special permission from the UFC to do so, something they have not granted a signed star since.
      Although Perry is hoping McGregor wins his comeback bout against Chandler so they can set up a blockbuster in the ring.
      He said: “You know he’s still in with the UFC.
      “Let’s hope he beats Michael Chandler, then we can really make the biggest fight date in the world, Platinum Mike Perry versus The Notorious Conor McGregor.”
      Conor McGregor was a shock guest at the BKFC eventCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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      KSI says he is ‘very close’ to Tommy Fury fight but fears a win will scare Jake Paul away from bitter grudge match

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      KSI says he is “very close” to sealing a fight against Tommy Fury – but fears it could ultimately KO his grudge match with Jake Paul. The bitter YouTube rivals looked set to finally end their years of feuding with a blockbuster at the end of 2023.
      KSI says he is ‘very close’ to sealing a fight with Tommy FuryCredit: Darren Fletcher
      Tommy Fury celebrating defeating Jake PaulCredit: AP
      But that was until Paul suffered defeat for the first time, losing a split-decision to Fury in February in Saudi Arabia.
      The American snubbed a rematch or talks with KSI to instead return on August 5 in Texas against 38-year-old ex-UFC star Nate Diaz.
      So KSI will refuse to wait around for Paul and instead try to one-up his arch enemy by finishing what he started.
      KSI told SunSport: “He doesn’t want it. I want Tommy Fury.
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      “I want Tommy Fury, simple as that. I’m not going to waste my time with Jake Paul.
      “He wants to fight Nate Diaz, an MMA fighter who isn’t known for his boxing; black belt in jujitsu, blah, blah, blah.
      “Maybe in the UFC ring it would be a bit more entertaining, in the MMA ring yeah, but in the boxing ring everyone just knows Jake is going to win that.
      “I’m not just going to waste my time, I’m going to go straight for Tommy and do what Jake Paul couldn’t.”
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      KSI, 29, returns on May 13 at Wembley Arena against millionaire nightclub tycoon-turned 9-0 boxer Joe Fournier, 40.
      But in the background, his promoter Kalle Sauerland revealed ongoing negotiations with Fury, 23, and his dad John.
      And KSI insisted the talks to face the brother of unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson is no publicity stunt.
      He said: “It’s so funny, because a lot of people think it’s all cap.
      “A lot of people think I’m just chatting out my a***. Does it look like I’m chatting out my a***?
      “We’re working on it, man. Just a few thing but I think we’re very close and I’m pretty sure, fingers crossed by next week, we’ll see.”
      I’m not just going to waste my time, I’m going to go straight for Tommy and do what Jake Paul couldn’t.KSI
      KSI’s plan would deny Paul, 26, the chance to avenge his loss to Fury in a rematch many expected would follow.
      But the YouTuber, rapper and influencer boxer also believes beating the 9-0 British prospect could scare his nemesis off for good.
      KSI said: “I’m trying to think, do people still want to see it after I beat Tommy Fury?
      “Because then at that point everyone will be in my favour, everyone will be like, ‘Jake has no chance.’ And maybe Jake would also think that.
      “Maybe he’ll just avoid me and maybe he’ll just be happy with fighting MMA fighters.
      “Obviously, I want to destroy Jake, but it takes two to tango, man. If he doesn’t want to fight me, what can I do?
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      “I can’t drag him into the ring, like what the f***. Look, it’s up to him. I’m down and yeah, the cards are in his hands.”
      Jake Paul was beaten by Tommy Fury on pointsCredit: GETTY
      KSI training in his gym ahead of his next fightCredit: Darren Fletcher More

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      Ex-UFC star Chad Mendes RETIRES after being left with gruesomely swollen face in bare-knuckle fight with Eddie Alvarez

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      CHAD MENDES announced his retirement from fighting after a brutal bare-knuckle boxing bout with Eddie Alvarez. The former UFC pair put on a hellacious show over five rounds in Denver, both scoring knockdowns against each other.
      Eddie Alvarez beat Chad Mendes in their bare-knuckle boutCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
      But Alvarez emerged with a split-decision victory, which left a battered and bruised Mendes to call it quits.
      He said: “I just wanted to say thank you to all the fans.
      “This has been a lifelong career for me, I started wrestling at the age of five years old, never taken a year off up until this now.
      “I’m officially hanging them up tonight guys. Thank you very much for all the awesome memories through all my UFC career, coming into bare-knuckle.”
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      Mendes, 37, left the UFC in 2018 after retiring from MMA.
      But in 2022 he crossed over to sign for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and stopped Joshuah Alvarez in his debut.
      Ex-UFC lightweight champion Alvarez, 39, faced Mendes in his first BKFC fight after leaving MMA promotion ONE Championship.
      And the two slugged it out in front of old rival Conor McGregor.
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      McGregor knocked out Mendes for the interim UFC featherweight title in 2015 and repeated the result against Alvarez a year later for the lightweight belt.
      The Irishman, 34, was seen ducking and dodging during the bout, shouting advice to his former opponents.
      And he later faced off with BKFC champion Mike Perry, 31, who beat Luke Rockhold, 38, in the main event.
      Conor McGregor ringside at the fightCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
      Chad Mendes and Eddie Alvarez after their brutal fightCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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      Ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold quits in brutal bare-knuckle fight with Mike Perry after having his TEETH knocked out

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      MIKE PERRY made Luke Rockhold quit in their bare-knuckle bout after brutally punching his TEETH out. Ex-UFC middleweight champion Rockhold took his gumshield out in round two and signalled that he could not continue.
      Luke Rockhold had his teeth punched out by Mike PerryCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
      Mike Perry beat Luke Rockhold in two roundsCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
      And post-fight, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship president Dave Feldman revealed the extent of the American’s injury.
      Feldman said: “Luke Rockhold got some of his teeth got cracked, so that is why he was unable to continue.
      “His teeth definitely got messed up pretty good. You know, but what a great start to that fight.”
      Perry, 31, moved to 3-0 in BKFC since leaving the UFC in 2021.
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      And he did so with Conor McGregor, 34, as a surprise ringside guest and the Irishman opened the door to a shock bare-knuckle switch.
      McGregor said: “Fair play to you mate, I respect you. I’m into this game, I’m into this game.
      “Fair play to you. I’d fight you. I’d fight you most definitely. I’d fight you no problem, mate. I’m never retiring.”
      Perry said in his post-fight press conference: “What’s next for me? Conor McGregor.
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      “He likes to box too, we can go throw hands. And he gave me a face-off, man. How cool was that?”
      McGregor – swigging whiskey from the bottle – was a keen viewer as his ex-opponents Eddie Alvarez, 39, and Chad Mendes, 39, also put on a show.
      And after a series of knockdowns for both men, Alvarez won a split-decision.
      Mike Perry facing off with Conor McGregorCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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      Fans all say the same thing as UFC legend Conor McGregor swigs Proper 12 whiskey from ringside at bare-knuckle fights

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      CONOR McGREGOR swigged his Proper 12 whiskey from the bottle as he made a shock appearance at a bare-knuckle boxing event. The Irishman took a ringside seat in Denver to watch former opponents Chad Mendes and Eddie Alvarez put on a brutal show.
      Conor McGregor swigging Proper 12 whiskey from ringsideCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrpP6kKuCGy/
      Alvarez, 39, beat Mendes, 37, on points before Mike Perry stopped ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold in two rounds of the main event.
      And McGregor, 34, looked to be enjoying himself as he was captured sipping his limited edition Irish Apple whiskey.
      But it left some fans fearing the worst with the MMA legend, who is set to make his UFC return later this year against Michael Chandler, 36.
      One said: “There is no way this dude is fighting Chandler.”
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      Another added: “Conor training that liver.”
      One commented: “This dude ain’t fighting.”
      Another agreed: “I don’t think he’s fighting Chandler.”
      McGregor was later called out for a face-off with Perry, 31, and opened the door to a bare-knuckle boxing switch.
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      He said: “Fair play to you mate, I respect you. I’m into this game, I’m into this game.
      “Fair play to you. I’d fight you. I’d fight you most definitely. I’d fight you no problem, mate. I’m never retiring.”
      Perry said in his post-fight press conference: “What’s next for me? Conor McGregor.
      “He likes to box too, we can go throw hands. And he gave me a face-off, man. How cool was that?”
      Mike Perry facing off with Conor McGregor More

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      ‘I’d fight you’ – Conor McGregor teases brutal bare-knuckle boxing switch after facing off with ex-UFC star Mike Perry

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      CONOR McGREGOR teased a switch to bare-knuckle boxing after squaring off with Mike Perry in the ring. The Irishman took a ringside seat in Denver to watch Perry brutally beat ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold in two rounds.
      Mike Perry facing off with Conor McGregorCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
      And McGregor was called out by the American for a face off in the ring before the two exchanged words.
      Perry, 31, said: “Can I get a face-off with Conor McGregor?”
      The UFC legend, wearing a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship belt, then strutted into the squared circle.
      And he told Perry: “Fair play to you mate, I respect you. I’m into this game, I’m into this game.
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      “Fair play to you. I’d fight you. I’d fight you most definitely. I’d fight you no problem, mate. I’m never retiring.”
      McGregor, who was in Las Vegas last week to watch Gervonta Davis beat Ryan Garcia, flew into Denver to watch the show.
      And he boasted about holding gold in his first time in the BKFC ring.
      McGregor, 34, said: “It’s an incredible set-up here, incredible matchmaking, incredibly storytelling, I had to come here.
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      “I flew straight away I was not going to miss this and it did not disappoint.
      “All these fighters that stepped in here are warriors and all have my respect and I’m into this game, I’d be into this.
      “I already have the belt. How am I showing up here and already I’ve got the belt? Come get it baby. Come get the strap.”
      McGregor is set to make his UFC return this year against Michael Chandler, 36, having not fought since July 2021.
      Whereas Perry went 3-0 in the BKFC ring having left the UFC in 2021 and called to fight McGregor next.
      He said: “What’s next for me? Conor McGregor. He likes to box too, we can go throw hands. And he gave me a face-off, man. How cool was that?”
      Mike Perry beat Luke RockholdCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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      Floyd Mayweather reveals friendship with Gotti family ahead of exhibition fight with notorious Mafia boss’s grandson

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER revealed his friendship with the notorious Gotti family – which helped make his fight with the mafia boss’s grandson. Mayweather is set to return to the ring for an exhibition on Sunday, June 11 in Miami against John Gotti III.
      Floyd Mayweather with John Gotti III ahead of their exhibitionCredit: Rex
      Notorious New York mafia boss John Gotti in 1990Credit: Getty
      Floyd Mayweather with John Gotti Jr
      But the boxing legend’s history with the crime family goes way back, having formed a friendship with Gotti Jr.
      And the pair have been talking for a number of years in an attempt to make a bout between Mayweather and Gotti III.
      Mayweather said at a press conference: “I’m friends with his dad.
      “This is what people don’t know, I’ve always been friends with the Gotti family. That’s what a lot of people don’t know.
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      “Of course, John Gotti Jr, how you doing John? It’s always good seeing you.It’s always great talking with you.
      “And I’m glad we’re finally able to get this done, we’ve been working on this for a couple years now. For a long time.
      “And of course, a great last name for this battle, last name means everything. You’re last names matters.
      “I just want to say thank you John once again. You’ve always been a class act, a gentleman, a respectful man.
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      “And your son has been busting his ass working extremely hard, whether it’s MMA or boxing.
      “And to be the best you have to continue to fight and improve yourself that’s what I did and I’m glad we were able to come together to make this event happen.”
      Gotti Sr was famously boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City and earned the nickname the “Teflon Don.”
      He was imprisoned in 1992 and sentenced to life after being found guilty on 14 accounts of conspiracy to commit murder and racketeering.
      Gotti died in 2002 aged 61 after a battle with throat cancer while his son Jr stepped in as acting boss during the 90s.
      Jr was also sentenced to six years and five months in jail in 1999 having been indicted on racketeering charges.
      But following his release, the American claimed to have left the criminal underworld.
      Gotti III – a 5-1 MMA fighter and 2-0 light-heavyweight boxer – has no links to organised crime.
      He turned professional in MMA in 2017 but switched to boxing last year, most recently winning in January.

      And Gotti III will be the latest in Mayweather’s collection of exhibition bouts since officially retiring in 2017.
      His last came at London’s O2 Arena against reality TV star-turned boxer Aaron Chalmers, 35, which he dominated over eight rounds.
      Floyd Mayweather is set to face John Gotti III on June 11 in MiamiCredit: Rex More

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      Conor McGregor had to apologise for calling TV boss a ‘weasel’ in order to get Gervonta Davis tickets, claims old rival

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      CONOR McGREGOR had to apologise to TV boss Stephen Espinoza in order to get tickets to Gervonta Davis’ fight with Ryan Garcia. That is according to old rival Paulie Malignaggi, who famously feuded with the Irishman following their disputed sparring sessions.
      Conor McGregor at Gervonta Davis’ fight with Ryan GarciaCredit: Social Media Collect
      Floyd Mayweather, Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza and Conor McGregorCredit: USA Today Sports
      The spars came in the lead up to McGregor’s crossover boxing match with Mayweather in 2017, which he lost in ten rounds.
      And during the heated build up to the blockbuster bout, the UFC superstar called Showtime’s Espinoza a “weasel”.
      So when McGregor, 34, wanted entry into Davis’ super-fight with Garcia six years later, he allegedly had some grovelling to do.
      Malignaggi claimed on his YouTube channel: “This happened because I’ve got all the inside sources, Conor McGregor had to apologise to Stephen Espinoza in order to get tickets to the Gervonta Davis versus Ryan Garcia fight.
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      “Everybody knows that McGregor has had issues, his run ins with Espinoza in the past and they were enemies as well.
      “But Espinoza now controls the tickets, it’s a Showtime fight. He had to apologise and this p****y apologised just to get tickets to the fight.
      “Conor McGregor, Connie, how does Stephen Espinoza’s d taste? Can you let me know?
      “Because I told them to f*** off when they wanted me to apologise.”
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      Malignaggi, who retired in 2017, was sacked as an analyst for Showtime in 2020 over comments about race.
      McGregor watched as Davis, 28, stopped Garcia, 24, in round seven with a brutal body shot.
      He was later seen backstage and bumped into Mayweather Sr, where he revealed an interest in training with his ex-opponent’s dad.
      And McGregor also visited Garcia’s changing rooms after the American’s defeat and called to see a rematch with Davis.
      Ryan Garcia with Conor McGregor after defeat to Gervonta DavisCredit: Golden Boy More