On Saturday, Conor McGregor steps out of the MMA cage and into the boxing ring to face undefeated boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Win or lose, McGregor stands to make an insane amount of money. McGregor has been a professional MMA fighter since 2008. He made his MMA debut at a time when he was so broke he was on welfare and collecting just $235 a week. He's come a long way since those early days, and his current net worth stands at an impressive $35 million.
McGregor made his professional MMA debut in March 2008 in the lightweight division, quickly racking up wins before encountering his first of three career losses. That initial loss prompted him to briefly consider changing his career path. However, McGregor rebounded and went on a winning streak from 2011 to 2012, claiming victories in eight consecutive fights. He made history by winning both the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight Championships, becoming the first European MMA athlete to hold two titles in different weight divisions simultaneously.
In 2013, Dana White visited Dublin to accept an award, and everywhere he went, people encouraged him to sign McGregor to the UFC. Shortly thereafter, that’s exactly what happened. McGregor made his UFC debut on April 6, 2013, achieving victory via knockout just over a minute into the first round. Despite suffering an ACL tear in the summer of 2013 (which he still managed to win), he took time off for surgery and rehabilitation. Upon his return in 2014, he dominated the competition, further cementing his status as a superstar in the sport. In March 2016, McGregor earned between $10-15 million for his fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 196, and a year and a half later, he faced Diaz again, this time earning a whopping $25 million.
Biography and Personal Details of Conor McGregor
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Conor Anthony McGregor |
| Date of Birth | July 14, 1988 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight Class | Lightweight, Welterweight, Featherweight |
| Net Worth | $35 million (as of 2017) |
Career Highlights and Financial Gains
Along the way, McGregor earned the nickname "The Notorious." He has participated in 24 MMA bouts, winning 21 of them, with 18 victories coming by knockout. As the fight against Mayweather approaches, it is reported that Mayweather will earn a baseline of $100 million, while McGregor is set to make at least $75 million. Although he has had lucrative endorsement deals, this fight represents an unprecedented payday for him, potentially five times his previous earnings in any UFC event. Additionally, if pay-per-view sales exceed expectations, McGregor could earn a staggering purse of $127 million.
After the fight, McGregor's net worth is expected to skyrocket. However, he needs to keep in mind the tax implications. Assuming a 50% tax rate, if he makes $75 million, he would take home $37.5 million, effectively doubling his current net worth to $72.5 million. If he surpasses that to earn $100 million, his net worth would jump to $85 million post-tax. Should he earn $150 million, he could see his net worth rise to a remarkable $110 million.
Needless to say, Saturday, August 26, 2017, is poised to be the biggest payday in Conor McGregor's illustrious career.
