Alvarez Warns UFC Could Make McGregor ‘Public Enemy No. 1’ Over Exit

Overview

• At UFC 329 in July, Conor McGregor tore his ACL and meniscus 69 seconds into his rematch with Max Holloway, has since had surgery, and remains sidelined with one fight left on his UFC contract.
• Eddie Alvarez told reporters that if McGregor seeks to fight out or leave his deal the UFC could treat him as its “public enemy No. 1,” drawing on Alvarez’s account of being sued by Bellator when he tried to depart in 2014.
• Alvarez said promotions often try to arrange matchups that hurt a departing fighter’s value so the athlete has less appeal outside the company, and he expects the UFC would use those matchmaking levers against McGregor.
• McGregor has signaled interest in fighting for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where he is a part-owner, but coverage emphasizes it is uncertain whether the UFC would permit him to leave for that or other outside bouts.
• The dispute frames two imminent questions for fans and the sport: whether McGregor can physically return to top form after major knee surgery and whether the UFC will pursue legal or booking tactics that shape his final move or retirement.