The UFC has existed for more than three decades now. The organization revolutionized how the world looks at the sport of mixed martial arts. It has grown into a multi-billion dollar organization and has seen many MMA mega stars over the past years. But when it comes to MMA stardom, the Irish superstar Conor McGregor is second to none.
Conor McGregor, the former two-division champion in the UFC, is widely regarded as the most prominent MMA athlete based on popularity. The Irish superstar has been the fan favorite since his debut in the Octagon, mainly due to his shenanigans in the cage and his ability to spew venom from his mouth.
But has the world of UFC moved on from their favorite MMA star, Conor McGregor?
Why Hasn’t the UFC Been Gravely Affected by Conor McGregor’s Absence?
The UFC has only grown in popularity worldwide despite McGregor’s largely inactive status over the past many years. One reason is the emergence of newer stars in the octagon. Fighters like Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, Islam Makhachev, and Leon Edwards have become major attractions inside the octagon, bringing their unique styles and personalities to the cage. The new MMA stars have helped amplify the UFC’s appeal beyond the Irish fighter.
McGregor’s life outside the octagon has been equally adventurous. The Irish great has been involved in many controversies and legal cases. The Mac has been accused of physical assault multiple times in his career now, which has overshadowed many of his achievements inside the fight ring. The Irish star has also been riddled with many injuries lately, greatly affecting his fighting prospects in the octagon.
Conor McGregor is HIM
Despite everything in the past few years, many will agree that no one in the combat sports world has a pull like Conor. The Irish star has been part of and headlined five of the highest-selling PPVs ever. His bout against Khabib Nurmagomedov in UFC 228 sold 2.4 million pay-per-views, the highest in the UFC and the second highest in the combat sports world.
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The Dublin native was the first in UFC history to hold multiple titles simultaneously. This historical achievement keeps him relevant in discussions of the UFC’s greatest fighters. Conor McGregor’s impact was recently felt as UFC 303 sold out as the highest gate ever in UFC history, with over $20 million.
The UFC has certainly evolved, but Conor’s unprecedented influence in the MMA world will always be felt, and he will surely be the most popular MMA star of all time for years to come.
