Conor McGregor, UFC, Fight, Trash Talk — I Have Changed: Why Rome, BKFC, and Family Matter

Conor McGregor, UFC, Fight, Trash Talk — that string of words captures a lifetime of headlines, rivalry, technique, and noise. Today I want to talk plainly about change, family, and what this new chapter in bare knuckle fighting means for me and for the sport. I have changed. That statement is not a sound bite. It is a truth I have lived through, tested, and come to accept. As someone who has been at the eye of the storm for years, I have found a new center, a faith, and a renewed hunger for competition. This is about more than one man stepping back into a ring. It is about legacy, respect, and the next evolution of combat sports.

Introducing my business partner Il Grande Capo at the Rome press conference

Table of Contents

Why Rome and BKFC Felt Right

Rome is not just another city for a fight. Rome is the birthplace of the gladiator. When I stood here with my brothers in combat and my business partners, the significance was clear. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is built for moments like this — stadium energy, primal intensity, and fans who appreciate the raw purity of warriors going to work. BKFC on Italian soil is an alignment of culture and sport. The historical weight of the location elevates everything we do.

We are the modern day gladiators, and hosting these cards in Italy makes perfect sense. The Italian fans showed up earlier in Firenze and they showed what that passion looks like. This isn’t contrived hype. It is a genuine love for competition and for fighters who give everything on the line. BKFC is growing globally, and Rome is a landmark in that journey. We are not simply creating events; we are bringing a movement to cities that respect combat history.

What Changed — My Personal Journey

I said plainly that I have changed. That change began inward. It began with a spiritual journey that I chose to undertake. I do not believe anything happens just by chance, and for me, there is a higher power shaping my path. Since that turning point, I can honestly say, I am saved and I am healed. Those are not empty claims. They are the foundation for the next chapter of my life — both personal and competitive.

Opening up about being saved and healed during the press conference

That inner work has reignited something I thought I had lost: the competitive spark. What was once a small flame is now a roaring blaze. When you have clarity and purpose, your craft improves, your patience deepens, and your motivation becomes an offering to those who matter most — your family. I envy the fighters on the dais in the best possible way because I understand the pilgrimage they have made through training camps, sacrifices, and fearful nights. There is honor in that pain, and there is a purpose to channel it.

BKFC as Family

BKFC is a family. I have said it openly: we are all passionate about this company and about this sport. Win, lose, or draw, anyone who walks through those ropes earns my respect. Bare knuckle is pure. There are no frills and no excuses. It is combat in its rawest form and it demands courage. When I stand beside my teammates, my business partners, and the athletes on the card, it feels like home. I brought my own family to Rome — my children, my mother, my fiance — and we felt the warmth of the Italian people.

With my La Familia at the Rome event, embracing the Italian fans

Part of why I love this company is what it allows fighters to do: to provide for their families and to build a legacy that matters. I often say I want to leave a career that people can study as a lesson. You have seen what worked with me and what did not. That kind of transparency is invaluable. It is important that fighters think of their careers as a means to secure their family's future, not just to chase fame. BKFC gives a platform to those hungry to make that happen.

The Rome Card: What Fans Should Expect

This Saturday’s event is stacked. We have two world titles on the line and the type of matchups that force fighters to rise to the occasion. The cruiserweight title between Alessio Sakara and Chris Camosi is going to be explosive. Both men carry Italian blood and the pride of that heritage. That fight will determine who is the best cruiserweight bare knuckle fighter on the planet.

Announcing the cruiserweight title bout between Alessio Sakara and Chris Camosi

On top of that, the lightweight showdown between Franco Tenaglia and Ben Bonner promises to be a technical, high-octane clash. Tenaglia brings heart and an Italian connection, while Bonner carries the fire of Middlesbrough and the grit of a British brawler. Both men are ready to stake their claim as the top lightweight. These fights are not for the faint of heart.

Franco Tenaglia vs Ben Bonner lightweight matchup announcement

Beyond the title fights we have rising stars and hungry contenders like Dan Chapman and others who know a title is within reach and are circling. The dynamic is classic: champions inspire challengers, and challengers sharpen champions. That is the ecosystem of combat sports. Expect intensity, expect drama, and expect fighters who have poured everything into their camps.

Facing the Coliseum — A Moment of Perspective

A few hours before the event one of the moments I will never forget was standing in front of the Coliseum. The history there is palpable. Most places built for violence feel different, but Rome carries the weight of centuries. Standing there, looking at those stones, it was hard to top the feeling of being a modern gladiator in that city. The Coliseum is a reminder that combat sports are not new. We are continuing a human tradition, but we do so with honor, respect, and modern rules that protect athletes as best as possible.

When you stand before an opponent in a place like that, you are reminded that words mean less than actions. We have both fought for decades, and we know what the walk feels like, what the weight cut feels like, and what the pressure feels like. That is why the Coliseum moment resonated — it was a confluence of history and the present. We are carrying forward a tradition while also crafting a safer and more professional chapter of it.

Predictions and Respect

I have always believed in speaking with integrity. Fans sometimes expect trash talk and call-outs, and while there is room for bravado in this sport, genuine respect matters more. I have the utmost respect for the fighters on the card. When two veterans stand across from each other with 40 years of combined fighting experience, it is less about talk and more about the inevitable collision. Expect both fighters to bring it. Expect fireworks. In the main event between Sakara and Camosi, my prediction is straight forward: both will show up, but I am confident one will be put down decisively. That is the nature of high level combat.

For Tenaglia and Bonner, expect a technical brawl. Tenaglia carries a legacy and Bonner carries raw hunger. I would not be surprised to see a finish or a decisive point victory. Whoever seizes the moment will define themselves for a generation of bare knuckle fighters.

Legacy, Lessons, and the Future

When people ask what legacy I want to leave, the answer is simple. I want a career that serves as an instructive map. I have shown what works and what does not. I want others to learn from that, to entertain the world with skill and heart, and to secure the future of their loved ones. Titles matter, but what matters more is purpose. Winning is great. Winning with honor and helping lift others as you climb is greater.

Speaking about leaving a legacy and showing what works and what doesn't

Part of this journey is helping BKFC expand sensibly around the world. Italy is a key market, and bringing sold-out shows here proves that fans crave authenticity. The sport is evolving, and we are at the center of an important chapter. If done right, BKFC can coexist alongside MMA and boxing, offering a distinct flavor of combat sports rooted in history and delivered with a modern professional framework.

On Change: Courage and Commitment

Change is not easy. A lot of people talk about it and few act. Courage is required to break patterns, to admit mistakes, and to commit to a new path. I want to commend everyone who takes that step, and I especially want to recognize fighters and peers who have done the internal work. It takes guts, which is why I publicly acknowledged my own transformation. It was a necessary step for me and one I stand behind.

When leaders make changes, it inspires others. I believe you will see the best of me when I return to competitive action. That is not an empty promise. It is a vow born of discipline, faith, and a hunger to be better not just for myself but for my family and for the fans who have supported me through thick and thin.

Being commended for making a life change and being encouraged to return stronger

A Note on Respect and Rivals

I do not chase rivalries that mean nothing. There are names I respect and instances where that respect is mutual. Fighters like Franco Tenaglia represent the kind of nobility I admire in this sport. If you have been through battles and shown heart, you deserve acknowledgment. Titles and belts are markers, but character is the lasting measurement. I have seen warriors across weight classes who moved me, and I do not want to detract from that with empty talk.

Practical Advice for Fighters

Make your weight. Be smart. Take care of your family. These are practical mantras I repeat because they matter. The weight cut and training camp test every part of a fighter. For those circling title fights, understand that every choice in camp compounds. Strategy, recovery, nutrition, and mental preparation matter as much as skill. If you are a young fighter looking up, remember the old adage: discipline in the small things makes the big nights possible.

  • Respect the camp schedule and your coaches
  • Prioritize recovery and avoid ego-driven decisions
  • Understand the business side and protect your future
  • Train with purpose and have a clear game plan

What BKFC Means for Combat Sports

Bare knuckle is carving its own path. It does not aim to replace MMA or boxing. Instead, it offers an alternative rooted in authenticity and spectacle. Events like the Rome card show that fans want variety and are eager for real fights in real settings. BKFC is professionalizing the sport while honoring its lineage. That duality is a formula for growth.

The path forward is one of expansion and responsibility. Bringing these events to iconic venues, working within regulatory frameworks, and protecting the integrity of athletes will ensure BKFC’s staying power. I am proud to play a role in this evolution and to stand by athletes who share a similar vision of toughness with conscience.

Final Thoughts Before the Bell

To the fighters making weight and to the families waiting at home: go provide. Go earn your worth. You carry the hopes of those who believe in you and the respect of those who know the grind. For the fans, get ready for a night of action that honors the past and energizes the future. For the doubters, watch closely. Change is not flashy until it is time to fight. Then you will see what transformation looks like in the ring.

Rallying the Bernacle Fighting Championship family and thanking the Italian fans

Remember this simple truth: when you align purpose, faith, and discipline, the results follow. I have changed. The fire is back. The mission is clear. We will take Rome, and we will continue to grow BKFC around the world, one respectful, ferocious fight at a time.

How does this change impact future competition and my return to the octagon or bare knuckle venues?

The change is foundational. It brings clarity and renewed motivation which will influence training, preparation, and performance. While the timeline for any specific return depends on many logistical and personal factors, expect a more focused and disciplined version of me. That will translate into sharper performances whether in BKFC or a future Octagon return.

What should fans expect from the Rome BKFC event?

Fans should expect two title fights with high stakes, several intense undercard matchups, and a sold-out atmosphere that honors Rome’s combat history. The card features Alessio Sakara vs Chris Camosi for cruiserweight and Franco Tenaglia vs Ben Bonner for lightweight. There will be emotion, strategy, and potential finishes. This is a card built for the passionate Italian audience.

Why is the Coliseum moment important?

Standing in front of the Coliseum ties the modern spectacle of BKFC to centuries of combat tradition. It is symbolic of the continuity between ancient gladiatorial contests and modern combat sports, emphasizing respect for history while delivering safe, regulated, and professional competition to a global audience.

What advice do you give to young fighters?

Prioritize discipline, recovery, and strategic planning in every training camp. Respect coaches and the process. Protect your future by understanding the business side of fighting. Fight with heart but plan for life beyond competition to ensure you can provide for your family long after the final bell.

How does BKFC fit into the broader combat sports landscape?

BKFC complements other sports like MMA and boxing by offering an authentic, raw combat experience with a professional structure. It attracts fans who appreciate the heritage of fighting and provides fighters with another platform to showcase their skills and build careers.