Conor McGregor's next fight teased and it may not be in the UFC

UFC star Conor McGregor is still in limbo regarding his fighting future , with UFC boss Dana White indicating he might not be entering the octagon any time soon, a situation that's got the Dublin fighter voicing his irritation .

Meanwhile, he's been linked with a punch-up in Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC), where he recently became a part-owner.

McGregor famously dismissed Jeremy Stephens during a UFC media event in one of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport.

• Conor McGregor slams Dana White after UFC president's update on comeback fight

• Tiger Woods' ex-wife Elin Nordegren 'deeply unimpressed' when he treated romance like 'room service'

Now, Stephens has thrown down the gauntlet for a bare-knuckle brawl after McGregor's engagement with BKFC events and teasing clips have kept fans speculating about his eventual return to combat sports.

Stephens hinted at a possible showdown with McGregor, recalling their notorious press conference exchange, by optimistically stating: "Ya never know. Stay tuned."

Despite negotiations for a bout with Michael Chandler dragging on for over a year and a half, McGregor hasn't stepped into the UFC arena for more than three years, leading to accusations of stalling Chandler's career.

McGregor has been actively posting training videos lately, eager to nab a match with Chandler before the year's out, yet despite this, UFC chief White has dashed hopes for a 2022 bout. McGregor expressed his frustration on Instagram: "#FREETHEMAC", hinting at UFC's foot-dragging over rescheduling his fight with Chandler.

Bound by a UFC contract, McGregor can't step into the BKFC ring unless he hangs up his gloves or White gives him the nod.

Former UFC staple Jeremy Stephens switched to PFL and then dropped MMA after an eleven-year run in the UFC that included notable victories against Rafael dos Anjos and Josh Emmett among others.

Now 38, Stephens marked his bare-knuckle fighting debut with a win and is eyeing a notch up to a 2-0 record in BKFC when he takes on Bobby Taylor this coming weekend.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here