BKFC champion Austin Trout defends his title on Saturday at the promotion’s debut card in Marbella, Spain and it’s Conor McGregor who deserves credit for it.
Over the past few months, McGregor has been heavily promoting BKFC after becoming a part owner in the bare-knuckle outfit but his investment wasn’t just a way to grab a few headlines. Instead, McGregor has been present for many recent BKFC events with company founder and president David Feldman praising the Irish superstar for his constant involvement on the business side of things.
In fact, Trout says it was McGregor who orchestrated almost every aspect of the upcoming card in Spain, which also serves as the first BKFC event with DAZN after inking a new broadcast deal recently.
“This Marbella fight in Spain was his idea,” Trout told MMA Fighting. “He really took reins. He got the venue. He’s putting in work. He’s promoting the hell out of it. I don’t think he’s really left Spain but to promote other bare-knuckle fights. He’s made a home out there in Spain himself right now.
“It’s really exciting to have Conor behind [BKFC]. I mean he’s really backing it. He’s putting in work.”
Since his investment in BKFC was announced in April, McGregor has constantly touted the promotion on his various social media accounts where he has over 60 million followers combined.
Trout has seen it firsthand that McGregor is truly doing everything possible to make BKFC a bigger brand and his ownership stake actually means something to him.
“A publicist said you couldn’t pay for this type of publicity from him,” Trout said. “You couldn’t write a check for this type of publicity that he’s giving us. Even when he’s firing Mike Perry, shit like that means he’s very emotionally involved.
“Shout out to Conor. He’s about to blow this shit up and it’s a good time to be a champion. It’s a good time to stay a champion.”
While his primary focus on BKFC thus far has been serving as a promoter and co-owner, McGregor has openly stated that he eventually wants to cross over and compete in a bare-knuckle fight as well.
McGregor currently only has two bouts remaining on his current UFC contract and unless he reaches an extension, it’s possible he could fight for BKFC once that deal comes to an end.
Of course if that happens, McGregor could probably pick any opponent he wanted for his bare-knuckle debut but Trout believes he would be the perfect candidate because he’s not only a BKFC champion but he built his name through a very successful boxing career where he battled names like Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez as well as Jermall and Jermell Charlo.
“It’s one of the bigger fights in BKFC,” Trout said about potentially fighting McGregor. “I would gladly oblige. I’m your huckleberry, for sure.”
There’s no telling when or if McGregor might actually make that move but based on the current roster at BKFC, Trout feels like he would present biggest challenge along with a name to help push the event.
Of course as much as he would gladly welcome the chance to trade punches with McGregor in bare-knuckle, Trout warns him that he might not like the result.
“Bare-knuckle, me and Conor, he ain’t got no chance with me,” Trout said. “I ain’t even going humble myself on that one. But I would love for him to try. It would be good.
“I can’t see another [name]. Unless he wants to just buy a win, that’s another thing. There’s plenty of names for that. But for a fight that’s worthy of Conor, Austin Trout is it.”
