Forget cage fighting, boxing and world titles - Irishman Conor McGregor's next goal is to build a financial empire and eclipse Real Madrid soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo to become the highest-paid athlete in the world
Forget cage fighting, boxing and world titles - Irishman Conor McGregor's next goal is to build a financial empire and eclipse Real Madrid soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo to become the highest-paid athlete in the world. The 29-year-old UFC lightweight champion told Reuters of his ambition in an exclusive interview ahead of the premier of "Notorious", a documentary film charting his rise from penniless plumber to the face of one the world's fastest-growing sports. In the film, McGregor makes no secret of the dreams that drove him to become a two-weight UFC champion and fight unbeaten boxing great Floyd Mayweather in front of an audience of millions, but his current aims are more banking than sporting.
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Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor poses upon arrival to attend the world premiere of the documentary film 'Conor McGregor: Notorious' at the Savoy Cinema in Dublin, Ireland on November 1, 2017. Pic/AFP
"You know, I just dream of hitting that 'billy' mark, if I'm being honest," he said. "I'm cruising toward that billion-dollar mark." McGregor wants to top the Forbes 100 list of the world's highest-paid athletes through a combination of new business ventures such as tailored suits and "Notorious" brand whiskey plus fight purses, pay-per-view and sponsorship revenue. "Ronaldo was number one last year, I was number 24... with $34 million in revenue," McGregor said, adding that he pocketed an eye-watering $140 million from his 10th round technical knockout defeat by Mayweather in their boxing match in August. "Next year, if it stands as is, Floyd will be number one, I'll be number two, and Ronaldo will be number three (on the Forbes list). If I fight one or two more times I will overtake him (Mayweather)," added McGregor.
"So that's what my goal is right now - number one, highest-paid athlete Forbes 2018, make my way towards the billion-dollar mark, and then continue to go." McGregor said he will be looking to co-promote future fights with the UFC as well as getting a stake in the company -- an unprecedented situation for an organisation that tends to steer its roster of fighters with an iron fist. "It is certainly something I will seek. I will seek equity in the company, I will seek to be a part of the company... it makes sense form all angles, but we'll see. We're in the negotiations stage."
The 29-year-old, who hasn't fought in the octagon since beating Eddie Alvarez to claim the UFC lightweight title a year ago, enthused about rapper P Diddy's business ventures and outlined his own plans to build a similar financial empire. "You know P Diddy doesn't even make music? $750 million he's worth. Highest-paid celebrity, highest-paid rapper, multiple years in a row. He doesn't even make music, he makes vodka. We're following this formula," he said.
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