Conor McGregor thinks some people are writing off his popularity heading into UFC 246. But the former lightweight and featherweight champion is convinced he’s still MMA’s cash cow.
If his claims are correct, it’s hard to argue against him. In a recent interview with ESPN, McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) estimated he’ll make a whopping $80 million from his fight against Donald Cerrone on Saturday.
“Probably (the biggest payday) in my mixed martial arts carer, yeah,” McGregor said. “It could be. I’m estimating over $80 million. We’ve got Australia and Canada and England and Ireland. Should be a good one… I made around $50 million (for Khabib). … They think I’m toast, but I’m still the bread.”
When talking about his career as a whole, McGregor predicted he’ll hit billionaire status by age 35. The former UFC double champion is currently 32 and has two-and-a-half years to hit the mark.
“I’ll be a billionaire by the time I’m 35,” McGregor said. “That (Forbes) list is my list. I’m coming for that list. I’m still a good way away, but I’ll get there. I’ve got the methods. I’m not fighting for that.
“Fighting helps everything. I’m not ever scratching the surface of what I should probably be paid, it’s the backend money coming through. It should be guaranteed, but whatever. It is what it is.”
Fighting isn’t McGregor’s lone source of income. The popular Irish superstar has delved into the whiskey game with Proper No. 12, and into clothing with his high-end brand August McGregor.
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
