Conor McGregor Says He Won’t Discuss Next Fight Until He’s Part Owner Of The $4 Billion UFC
I barely even watch the UFC but Conor McGregor might be my favorite athlete on the planet right now. The level of swagger is unmatched in sports. He has the confidence of Ali and the wardrobe of ’90s Deion.
McGregor took down Eddie Alvarez Saturday night with a TKO and is now the owner of two weight class title belts. Now he’s ready for the “real money” to start rolling in.
From CBS Sports:
“If you want to come at me, if you want me to stick around and help service that debt and continue to push the company, bring me on board — for real,” McGregor said at the post-fight press conference. “I need to be set for life for this. If you want me to be truly on on board, then I need to be all-in on this proper, as an owner, and have an equity stake in the company. That’s what I’m looking for.”
That certainly sounds like a man ready to hold out for a bigger contract. As the biggest star in the sport — and maybe in all of sports — McGregor knows the value that brings to the table. Holding two belts at the same time doesn’t hurt either.
“They’ve got to come talk to me now,” McGregor said. “Both belts. Money. I want the ownership now. If we’re going to keep doing this, let’s talk, but I want an equal share. I want what I’ve deserved, what I’ve earned.”
Remember, this is a guy who has been reluctant in the past to promote his own fights. He believes he’s bigger than the sport, and he might be right..
[via CBS Sports]
Image via Twitter/ @TheNotoriousMMA
McGregor is the face of the franchise and he’s a lot of fun to watch. But he also runs his mouth ad nauseam, and this might be taking things a step too far.
He has nowhere else to go if he wants to keep getting million dollar paydays, and the UFC knows it. McGregor would be wise to dial it down, keep pounding on the divisions he now owns, and continue to stack paper before the next big thing knocks him out cold.
8 years ago at 10:33 amNot to mention that is a precedent that you absolutely cannot set as a business. Additionally, these fighters have a shelf life of about 5 years. McGregor is a hell of a “flash-in-the-pan” but a “flash-in-the-pan” nonetheless.
8 years ago at 11:02 amYou’re expecting a man who gets in fights for a living to have some common sense.
8 years ago at 11:07 amHowever, he’s a big reason the company sold for four billion. No other single athlete has been so responsible for such a price tag. And Viacom would pay him whatever he wanted if he went to Bellator, and Bellator is starting to become a more viable competitor with every big UFC free agent they sign
8 years ago at 11:58 am“Shelf-life of 5 years”
Mystic Mac has been knocking the shit out of people since 2008 and a plethora of Heavyweights have been rumbling for nearly a decade, shit Mirko Cro Cop has been fighting since the 90s.
8 years ago at 1:03 pmViacom owns Bellator and as far as I know they are a multibillion dollar industry. So it sounds like they can and would offer him something lucrative if the opportunity presented itself.
8 years ago at 2:00 pmHow fucking hard is it to update the photos section. Just put a new shitty picture up.
8 years ago at 11:12 amI know a lot of people love him for his attitude but I find it quite annoying at this point. I get that’s what MMA or boxing is or whatever but he just acts like a fucking idiot. It’s not even entertaining anymore it’s just childish.
8 years ago at 11:15 amWhen continuously beat the fuck out of everyone I think acting like a cocky prick is going to happen.
8 years ago at 12:05 pmHe acts like an idiot.
8 years ago at 12:54 pmWhatever, what’s the worst that can happen? They say no we’re not giving you a piece of UFC. Seems pretty smart to me.
8 years ago at 2:45 pmHe also would put you in a coma within 15 seconds and made more money in 7 minutes than you will see In to your lifetime so how about you show some respect chief.
8 years ago at 4:02 pmDon’t respect idiots regardless of wealth. Sorry, champ.
8 years ago at 5:40 pmYou do realize that a lot of the reason he Is so popular is because he acts like an idiot. It helps sell pay per view buys. He’s smart enough to know that but apparently you aren’t, so why don’t you go back to studying for the SAT squirt.
8 years ago at 8:17 pmNo one is putting me in a coma with my glock 17 at the ready.
8 years ago at 12:14 amLol nice
8 years ago at 2:08 amShooters shoot
8 years ago at 11:23 amMcGregor, while the face of the sport, is not bigger than the sport itself. It’s like Lebron James asking for a piece of the NBA, not gonna happen
8 years ago at 12:01 pmThis is a terrible comparison. There are not 30 individual teams with individual owners. Ari Gold can’t come along and buy the NBA like he did the UFC. McGregor is the face, give him a piece, God knows he deserves it.
8 years ago at 1:35 pmUFC is praying Ronda knocks out this other chick in 12 seconds in December so they have another star again
8 years ago at 12:41 pmConor McGregor is the Donald Trump of mma
8 years ago at 2:34 pm