Conor Cooke has certainly been in the world of combat sports for the past 20 years.

The Northern Irishman holds titles in kickboxing, boxing and MMAbut is now on the brink of championship status in Conor McGregor’s BKFC promotion.

3

In fact, his victory over Matthew Hodgson at BKFC 68 in Newcastle on Saturday night should have crowned him the new British Light Heavyweight Champion.

But the 37-year-old missed weight for the 185lb bout ahead of the event in Newcastle at the Utilita Arena, so was unable to be crowned the new champion.

BKFC 68 Newcastle saw Agi Faulkner crowned the new European Heavyweight Champion after a sensational main event brawl with Oscar David.

Cooke won in the co-main event, while BKFC minority owner McGregor was left speechless after Ben Bonner brutally eliminated Lewis Keen on the main card.

“Da Crook” has been heavily involved in combat sports for many years now, so he has the experience to get back on track to finally claim the UK 185lb belt.

He first ventured into the bare-knuckle world in 2023 after going undefeated in three professional boxing bouts, making his debut at BKFC 40 in November of the same year.

Prior to that, Cooke had a professional MMA career where he racked up six wins and seven losses during arguably the most exciting period of his career.

“He trained with me,” Cooke said when asked about his time with the current cfu heavyweight champion Jon Jones during his MMA days.

“I went over four weeks, I lived in the Jackson Wink (MMA Academy) gym, and Jon came down one day and we worked together a little bit.

“A little fight, a little fight, and he was happy enough. He wanted me to stay, I was holding my own but we’re big boys, it was surreal – he’s a fan. I’m a big fan, sorry!”

3

The most fascinating aspect of Cooke’s first MMA interactions with Jones isn’t even the training, but rather his first encounter with the UFC heavyweight champion.

Jones is fighting Stipe Miocic on Nov. 17 for the main event of UFC 309, w Michael Chandler with the face Charles Oliveira in a five-round co-main event at Madison Square Garden, New City of York.

“The first interaction I had with him, he pulled a gun on me,” Cooke added.

“I was sitting and changing and I had a pair of training tights on. He pulled the gun and told me to take off my tights – jokingly – and I said, “you’re lucky you have that gun.”

“Other than that, we were just talking about wrestling and stuff. It was just like, we’re there, we’re business, we’re both fighters, we’re in the same gym just hanging out, talking training with each other. and about our merry way.

“He called me the Russian Irish for years, he called me the great Russian, but it was surreal. I was amazed.

“I remember being in his guard a few times, just looking at him, he thought I wasn’t listening, but I was.

3

“It was just like, ‘I’m in Jon Jones’ guard’ and we were fighting each other, it was an experience I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”

Cooke was favorite in his fight with Leeds fighter Hodgson and came out on top after five two-minute rounds inside the squared circle.

Antrim started on the back foot as Hodgson pressed from the first bell, seemingly aiming to put their opponent on the canvas early.

Both men traded blows, but as the fight wore on, Cooke emerged as the more technical fighter and began to wear down Hodgson.

Hodgson tried to catch Cooke with flash combinations but the latter was patient and was able to pick his moments more successfully than the Leeds man.

As the fight approached the later rounds, Hodgson was a bloody mess and even fought his heart out as he probably thought he was losing the fight.

Both fighters hugged at the end of the match after an intense staredown during the previous night’s weigh-ins.

All three judges scored the contest 50-45, declaring Cooke the winner.

After the match, Cooke said: “I had the best of my life but I won… 60 G’s baby!

“If I had the belt around my waist, I would have called Jared Warren.”

Warren is the current BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. He won seven of his nine bare-knuckle fights in McGregor’s promotion.