Malignaggi signs with Bare Knuckle Fighting and calls out ‘Coward’ McGregor

PAULIE MALIGNAGGI has signed with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and has instantly called out bitter rival Conor McGregor.

Malignaggi will make his debut on June 20 - with McGregor’s close friend and training partner Artem Lobov the rumoured opponent.

Russian Lobov makes his debut on April 6 against Jason Night, and could meet ex-world champion Malignaggi if he is successful.

After Lobov was released by the UFC, with an MMA record of 13-15-1, the featherweight called out Malignaggi, as well as Amir Khan.

However, Malignaggi has turned his attention to former sparring partner McGregor calling out the Irishman for a bare knuckle boxing match.

Malignaggi tweeted McGregor saying: “Conor the coward @TheNotoriousMMA with 2 minute rounds I'm sure even YOU can't quit at this! Time to settle it."

This rivalry has been brewing since last summer when Malignaggi became McGregor’s sparring partner before the Irishman cashed in on a money-grab boxing cameo against Floyd Mayweather.

Things turned sour when the UFC star leaked pictures and footage of the spars with a disputed knockdown of Malignaggi, 38, prompting the Brooklyn boxer to leave Team McGregor’s camp.

The pair have since feuded online, ignited in a war of words through social media.

Rumours recently suggested the duo were in talks for a grudge match in the boxing ring - though Malignaggi would later refute these claims.

Malignaggi retired from the boxing ring in March 2017 after an eight round stoppage defeat to Brit Sam Eggington.