Fans React To Conor McGregor’s Off-The-Rails BKFC Speech: 'What Is He On?'

UFC fighter Conor McGregor left fans both baffled and concerned after a strange and high-energy appearance at the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Champions Summit on Thursday night.

Held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, the press event was intended to unveil a $25 million openweight tournament to find the "baddest man on the planet."

Instead, much of the attention turned to Conor McGregor's behavior.

As part-owner of BKFC, the 36-year-old was invited onstage by co-owner David Feldman to help hype the promotion's latest endeavor. But what followed was a rambling, sweat-drenched promo that many longtime fans described as "embarrassing" and "unhinged."

"What’s good, Hollywood?" McGregor began. "As you can see in front of me or behind me, some of the baddest men and women to ever grace planet Earth... may we rise above the night sky and rain down blows viciously on all our deniers."

He ended his speech by announcing matchups, new signings, and the openweight tournament.

The 36-year-old fighter, once lauded for his sharp tongue and confident delivery, appeared to be a shadow of his former self.

"Conor is a parody of himself. I like BKFC, but this is just lunacy," one fan wrote online.

Another added, "He used to be calculated and deliberate when he spoke. This is just crashing out."

"What is he on?" someone else asked, speculating he is on drugs.

Another individual took it as far as putting up a poll, asking fans what they think "McGregor is high on?"

"Life, alcohol, cocaine, or comment any other substance," the choices read.

Some even questioned the 36-year-old's future in MMA altogether. "0% chance he ever fights again," one X user claimed.

Others remarked on his physical appearance and excessive sweating, asking if he was okay.

Despite the confusion, some fans appreciated McGregor’s enthusiasm. "Promoter. THAT is what Conor is born to do," one supporter wrote, while another acknowledged his contribution to BKFC's growing visibility.

See Conor McGregor's full speech here.

McGregor used the moment to announce several high-profile additions to the BKFC roster, including UFC veterans Yoel Romero, Thiago Santos, Derek Brunson, and Aspen Ladd.

But perhaps the most groundbreaking announcement involved equity. Feldman and McGregor revealed that BKFC champions and long-serving fighters would now be eligible for ownership shares in the company.

"Do you understand how incredible that is for our combatants to be rewarded in that way?" McGregor told the media. "To join this rise, truly be on the board with us as we rise up this ladder of combat sport."

The Irish professional mixed martial artist added, in what many perceived as a jab at the UFC, "I fought my heart and soul and gave everything to the rise of a company and I got nothing for it. Now here we are, our company, my company, we give back to the fighters who bleed for us."

McGregor’s last fight in the UFC took place on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264, where he faced Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout.

The fight ended in dramatic and unfortunate fashion when McGregor suffered a broken tibia at the end of the first round. The doctor called off the fight, resulting in a TKO win for Poirier via doctor stoppage.

That loss dropped McGregor’s UFC record at the time to 22–6, and he’s been out of action ever since—over four years of inactivity.

McGregor was widely expected to return against Michael Chandler, a former Bellator champion, and the two even served as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31, which aired in 2023. The buildup fueled months of hype, with both men trading jabs on social media and promising fireworks in the Octagon.

However, the highly anticipated fight never materialized. It was originally rumored for late 2023, then June 29, 2024, at UFC 303, but was officially scrapped just weeks before the event, reportedly due to an undisclosed injury to McGregor.

Michael Chandler, despite the long wait, remains ready and vocal about wanting the bout.