McGregor to host BKFC's World's Baddest Man bare-knuckle tournament series in 2027

Conor McGregor is stepping into a new role while he recovers from knee surgery, announced Tuesday as the host and co-owner face of BKFC’s upcoming competition series World’s Baddest Man, set to premiere in summer 2027. The show will follow fighters from around the globe competing in a bracket-style bare-knuckle tournament, culminating in a winner-takes-all live final.

McGregor, who holds a co-ownership stake in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, will be featured prominently throughout the series rather than competing in it. The format blends documentary storytelling with live tournament action, with the full fighter roster still to be confirmed.

“BKFC has changed the game of combat sports, and I couldn’t be more excited to partner with FOX Nation and unleash The World’s Baddest Man Tournament,” McGregor said in a press release. “This tournament will bring together the toughest fighters on the planet in a true test of heart, grit, and willpower.”

FOX Nation president Lauren Patterson welcomed the partnership, describing the series as “a bold new original unlike any other.” She added that the show would give subscribers “unprecedented access to unique athletes while showcasing the grit, determination and heart required to compete for one of the biggest prizes in combat sports.”

The announcement marks another expansion of combat sports on FOX Nation’s programming slate, which already includes a deal to broadcast RAF wrestling. The addition of a high-profile BKFC property — anchored by one of the sport’s most recognisable names — signals a deliberate push into the genre.

McGregor has been absent from competition since suffering a leg injury during his UFC 264 bout against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, and has since undergone further procedures. No return date to the octagon has been confirmed, making the BKFC hosting role his most prominent public-facing commitment in the near term.