Conor McGregor signs hulking 280lbs former WWE tag team champion to BKFC with debut set

Gzim Selmani has signed with Conor McGregor’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and will make his debut on March 14.

Selmani, a former MMA fighter and WWE superstar, will fight fellow debutant Daniel Curtin at BKFC Fight Night in Newcastle on March 14.

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The 31-year-old Albanian-born Dutch heavyweight signed with BKFC two months ago, but his debut was only made official on Wednesday.

“WWE to BKFC, our new heavyweight addition,” McGregor, who became a co-owner of the bare-knuckle promotion in 2024, said on a social media video alongside Selmani.

Selmani insisted he was ready to ‘knock everyone out’ and has since told talkSPORT.com how he plans to make the most of the opportunity ahead.

Gzim Selmani: Conor McGregor understands what I offer from WWE spell

“I am really excited to fight in Newcastle for BKFC,” ‘The Albanian Psycho’ said.

“When I heard Conor McGregor was interested, and after speaking, it was where I knew I belonged.

“I don’t know much about my opponent apart from a video or two.

“I believe I knock him out and knock him out badly, which should set up a big fight in May overseas.

“Conor understands my personality because WWE is almost where sports entertainment comes from.

“And selling fights and with us both together, it’s only going to be huge.”

Selmani’s manager Shane Watson added that it was ‘easy’ to reach an agreement with McGregor and BKFC founder David Feldman.

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“This is a multi-fight deal in what, in my opinion, is the fastest growing combat sports company in the world,” Watson said.

“We plan to be active and get out at least three times this year, but of course, I respect the task at hand we have in our next opponent on March 17 in Newcastle.”

Newcastle’s own Mick Terrill headlines the card next month as he faces Jay McFarlane for the inaugural BKFC UK heavyweight title.

Terrill was brutally knocked out by ex-UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell in his last bout.

Rothwell headlines a huge show for the promotion —KnuckleMania 6 — this weekend.

He takes on former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in what is a trilogy of their two fights in Dana White’s promotion, which were both won by the latter.

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McGregor, meanwhile, hasn’t fought himself since 2021 but plans to make a grand return at the UFC’s blockbuster White House card this summer.