Conor McGregor might be the only man in the world to get richer when he works less. Despite only fighting once in the past twelve months, the Irishman has topped Sportico’s list of highest earning athletes.
This might look counterintuitive to some, but Conor McGregor’s activities outside the Octagon are as well-publicised as those within it. The bulk of the Irishman’s wealth these days comes not from fighting (although his eight-figure payout from the Mayweather fight surely didn’t hurt), but from his various business ventures and endorsements.
Conor McGregor barely fought last year. But he’s the highest earning athlete in the world
McGregor picked up $28 million in salary and winnings, but his endorsement money – from the likes of Burger King, TIDL Sport, and Reebok among others – makes up the bulk of the Irishman’s earnings. McGregor sold his stake in Proper Twelve Irish whiskey, for $600 million, which was split between Conor, his manager, and their business partners.
McGregor’s total earnings of $208 million places him above even European soccer superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Although Messi has only ever played for Catalonian juggernaut club Barcelona, Ronaldo’s career has seen him play for the biggest names in soccer, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Anywhere Ronaldo goes is big business, and soccer remains one of the most widely viewed and supported sports in the world, making McGregor’s success even more remarkable.
If you’d told most viewers ten years ago that the world’s highest paid athlete would be a UFC fighter (and a largely inactive one at that), they would have laughed in your face. McGregor, who had to pick up his welfare check in Dublin on the way to his first UFC bout in the USA, is the only one laughing now.
McGregor clearly won’t have to stop by the welfare office on his way to face Dustin Poirier this July. The trilogy match between the former champions is currently 1-1, with both previous fights ending in knockouts. Dustin Poirier was the first MMA athlete to defeat Conor McGregor by knockout and will be looking to repeat the feat on July 10.
McGregor, true to form, has been hyping the bout on social media, and clearly expects to win this time, although Poirier doubtless disagrees. Regardless, with two of the fiercest strikers in the division entering the Octagon, neither fighter expects the bout to go the distance.
Whoever wins this fight will likely be the first to challenge Charles Oliveira for the title, which both men have held previously. The Lightweight division is looking more stacked than ever, even with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s absence.
Let us know which way you think this fight will go in the comments. Is this the beginning of the end for the UFC’s first crossover superstar, or will Conor once more scale the heights of the MMA world?
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