Conor McGregor (19-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) breaks another record, becomes first ever mixed martial arts athlete to break into the Forbes list of top 100 highest-paid sportsmen. The Notorious currently stands at N0. 85 with estimated $22 million Earnings for last year.
He is now equal with Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz and Chelsea FC’s soccer star Eden Hazard.
Before McGregor, it was Ronda Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) who made similar list few times but only for female athletes. This is a groundbreaking moment not only for McGregor but for the combat sport.
The current UFC Featherweight Champion is all set to make even more money when he faces Nate Diaz (19-10 MMA, 14-8 UFC) in a rematch in the main event of UFC 202 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20. The fight was originally set to take place at UFC 200 but got postponed due to promotional dispute between the fighter and UFC chief Dana Whyte.
McGregor lost the first fight as a result of Submission (rear-naked choke) after completely dominating the 1st round. However, it made him a rick man as it broke all the previous pay-per-view records. It is widely expected that the rematch will bring in even more money than their previous clash at UFC 196 did.
The Irishman earned $18 million in salary plus winnings, and $4 million in endorsements. In the past 12 months, the 27-year-old fighter fought three times, last two being the highest selling fights on pay-per-view in UFC’s history.
