When the arena feels more like a sold-out rock show, and the fans’ cheers are loud enough to shake the walls, you know Conor McGregor is in the building. Before his UFC journey began, the Irishman called himself “The Future,” and like a seed planted in fertile ground, it blossomed into reality. With his unstoppable drive and larger-than-life persona, he turned his wildest dreams into reality, showing the world that his words were more than just hype. He became so big that he headlined two of the biggest combat sports events that ever took place. That’s the magic McGregor brings every time he steps in.
From the iconic showdown with Khabib Nurmagomedov, where he turned Las Vegas into a wild Irish fiesta, to the electrifying night when the arena jeered at Floyd Mayweather, McGregor has created two unforgettable fights in combat sports. This still makes fans wonder: which of these grand spectacles skyrocketed his bank account more—the historic UFC 229 or the only boxing match he ever fought against Mayweather? Both fights were huge, but how much they affected his bank account is still a question for millions of fans. So let’s find out.
Also Read: Why Did Conor McGregor And Khabib Nurmagomedov Become Rivals From Friends? Revealing The Real Reason
How Much Money Did Conor McGregor Make From Khabib Nurmagoemdov Fight?
Let’s start from the beginning. Earlier, Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov publicly expressed admiration for each other on social media and were often seen together. Their relationship went downhill when Khabib used a rude term for McGregor. Artem Lobov, McGregor’s close friend and training partner, said that this term, which is very offensive in Russian culture, made McGregor really angry. Subsequently, things turned worse when McGregor attacked Khabib’s religion and family.
Later, Khabib confronted Artem Lobov aggressively. This made McGregor even more furious and led to him attacking a bus. This ultimately led to one of the most heated rivalries in combat sports history. The rivalry was so huge that it changed the fortunes not only for McGregor and Khabib but for the entire UFC. Indeed, this suggests that ‘The Notorious’ racked in big.
Reportedly, in 2017, Dana White’s promotions were like a ship sailing through calm seas, moving steadily but without much excitement for worldwide fans expecting some fights. However, the iconic rivalry between McGregor and Khabib acted as a powerful storm, skyrocketing the UFC into uncharted territory and transforming it into a billion-dollar company.
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McGregor’s earnings might not seem enormous by today’s standards—he reportedly pocketed over $2 million that year—but they definitely had a big impact on UFC’s financial landscape.
Also Read: Which Fights Made Conor McGregor The Biggest UFC Superstar?
How Much Did ‘The Notorious’ Bank From the Floyd Mayweather Fight?
UFC 229 was a defining moment for UFC fans, but McGregor’s most significant fight was undeniably his bout against Floyd Mayweather. Which was more than just a fight; it was full of iconic moments. From McGregor making the crowd cheer and jeer at Mayweather to the boxing legend responding by flaunting his wealth, the fight has many such moments. This bout wasn’t just a major event in the ring; it also highlighted boxing’s financial appeal, leading McGregor to earn the biggest paycheck of his career.
Talking about the purse, Mayweather and McGregor initially received guaranteed purses of $100 million and $30 million, respectively. However, the fight’s massive 4.3 million pay-per-view buys significantly increased their total earnings. Consequently, Mayweather ultimately earned $300 million, while McGregor’s final payout was $100 million. This answers the burning question: despite the Khabib fight being hailed as iconic, his biggest paycheck came from the ‘TBE’ fight.
This success helped turn McGregor into the superstar he is today, with ventures in business, Hollywood movies, and fights at the biggest MMA promotion. Notably, he even topped Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list in 2021, showing that the young guy from Dublin has really taken over, which he said at the start of his career.
Also Read: Why Did Conor McGregor Become More Successful Businessman Than Khabib Nurmagomedov?
