In the often-tempestuous world of combat sports promotions, athlete compensation remains a perennially debated topic. While multi-million dollar fight purses make headlines, discussions around long-term benefits, revenue sharing, and ownership stakes are far less common. Yet, it is precisely this last point—ownership—that Irishman Conor McGregor, now a co-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), is addressing with a significant new initiative, one born directly from his own experience at the peak of his UFC career.
During a recent BKFC press conference, amidst announcements of new signings and international expansion, a seemingly more technical detail emerged that carries profound implications. BKFC co-owner David Feldman revealed an alternative to a previously discussed fighter pension plan: the promotion would instead begin offering equity, or ownership shares, directly to its champions and longest-serving fighters. McGregor quickly elaborated on the rationale behind this move.
The value of these potential ownership shares is not insignificant, reportedly ranging anywhere from $100,000 to $3 million for the most established BKFC athletes. McGregor framed the offer not just as financial compensation, but as a true partnership. “To join this rise truly, truly be on the board with us as we rise up this ladder of combat sport,” he stated, positioning the fighters as integral stakeholders in the promotion`s future growth.
The Roots of the Offer: McGregor`s UFC Experience
For those familiar with McGregor`s history, this initiative isn`t just a generous gesture; it`s a direct echo of a demand he made himself years ago under vastly different circumstances. Following his historic victory at UFC 205 in November 2016 – where he became the first fighter to simultaneously hold two UFC world titles – McGregor held a memorable post-fight press conference at Madison Square Garden. The company was on the cusp of a massive transformation, being sold for $4 billion shortly thereafter.
Recognizing his undeniable role in the UFC`s burgeoning value and mainstream popularity, McGregor didn`t ask just for more money; he asked for ownership. He publicly questioned why, if celebrities and other external figures were acquiring shares in the company he felt he was largely responsible for elevating, he wasn`t being offered a piece. “Where`s my share? Where`s my equity?” he famously asked, emphasizing that he had earned it through his unprecedented success and impact.
The equity he sought from the UFC never materialized. Despite earning vast sums of money in subsequent fights and achieving unparalleled global celebrity, the specific desire for an ownership stake in the dominant mixed martial arts promotion remained unfulfilled. This perceived slight, the feeling of contributing immensely to a company`s valuation without receiving a share of the actual *company*, clearly left a lasting impression.
From Being Denied to Granting Ownership
Fast forward nearly a decade, and Conor McGregor is now in a position to grant the very thing he felt was unjustly withheld from him. As a co-owner of BKFC, he holds the keys to the very type of opportunity he once craved. It`s an almost ironic twist of fate: the fighter who demanded equity from the billion-dollar behemoth is now offering it in his own, still-growing bare-knuckle venture. He himself articulated this connection during the press conference, noting his past feeling of having “fought my heart and soul and gave everything to the rise of a company and I got nothing for it” in terms of equity.
He contrasted this with his current role at BKFC: “Now here we are, our company, my company, we give back to the fighters who bleed for us.” This isn`t just business; it`s a statement. It suggests a conscious effort to build a promotion that, in his view, values its athletes in a more fundamental way than he felt he was valued by his previous primary employer, at least regarding long-term stakes.
While the scale of BKFC is not yet comparable to the UFC, the principle is significant. Offering equity provides fighters with a direct incentive tied to the promotion`s overall success and longevity, potentially fostering a greater sense of loyalty and shared purpose than traditional fight contracts alone. It`s a bold move in an industry where the power dynamic often heavily favors the promotion.
In essence, Conor McGregor is taking a personal grievance from his past and turning it into a foundational pillar for his future as a promoter. By offering his fighters a piece of the pie, he isn`t just compensating them for their blood and sweat; he`s inviting them to the table, potentially reshaping expectations for fighter compensation in the process, all while perhaps subtly reminding the world what he felt he was owed.
Percy Harlow