Paulie Malignaggi, former boxer and one-time sparring partner of Conor McGregor has signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The former multiple-division boxing champion, 38, also serves as Showtime commentator, and has reportedly signed an exclusive deal with the bare-knuckle promotion.

BKFC had recently signed Artem Lobov, and continues to ink high-profile names to exclusive contracts. Paulie Malignaggi also helped Conor McGregor prepare for Floyd Mayweather for their boxing match two years ago. However, that venture ended rather unceremoniously when McGregor’s team released videos, showing Conor knock down Paulie during their sparring session.

According to MMAJunkie, Paulie could end up facing Conor’s teammate Artem Lobov, if Artem gets past Jason Knight next month. BKFC founder and President, David Feldman announced Paulie as BKFC’s next big signing.

“At this time in our company’s growth, we needed to add a legitimate and well-established world champion boxer to our roster, and I believe with Paulie’s ability and personality we’ve done just that”, BKFC founder and president David Feldman said in a press release. “Paulie is the perfect fit for us.”

Malignaggi retired from boxing in March 2017, and spoke about taking up a new challenge.

“After a long boxing career, it’s easy to miss the limelight and the rush that combat brings”, said Malignaggi. “I look forward to getting back in action and the new challenge of fighting for BKFC.”

Recently, Paulie Malignaggi blasted Dana White and Conor McGregor for underpaying the fighters, and called for better oversight in combat sports.