Conor McGregor’s absence leaves zero MMA fighters in Top 100 highest paid athletes list

No UFC/MMA fighters, including Conor McGregor made it into Sportico's Top 100 Highest Paid Athletes list.

Conor McGregor’s absence leaves zero MMA fighters in Top 100 highest paid athletes list

Conor McGregor stumped out of Sportico's Top 100 Highest Paid Athletes list (Source: IMAGO/X)

Sportico has just released its annual list of the world’s best-paid sportsmen and women. While there are several boxing names on the list, there are no UFC/MMA fighters. Especially Conor McGregor who was on the 100 Highest Paid Athletes list from the UFC side of things.

The list starts at number 1 with top footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has earned $260 million. The Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr forward is also a Saudi GEA sports ambassador. It ends at 100 with Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Daniel Jones (not related to consensus GOAT Jon Jones and his brother) who made $37.5 million. UFC Heavyweight “Bones” who made a third-round TKO title defense recently, is nowhere on it too.

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The fact that no MMA fighter has come close to making that much money in a year should come as no surprise given the UFC’s pay practices. Conor McGregor – MMA’s ‘Money Mac’, ‘Mystic Mac’ and richest Irishman icon with presidential aspirations used to be on it. But now hardly anymore. The ex-UFC double-division champ also pioneered crossover boxing, and consequently, it’s no surprise boxers are on the 100 Highest Paid Athletes list.

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Six boxers earned enough to make Sportico’s list: Tyson Fury came in at #3 with $147 million. His dance partner, HW king Oleksandr Usyk came in at number 7 with $122 million. Canelo Alvarez is next on the list at 20th with $73 million; expect that to shift now that he is on a four-fight Riyadh deal with Saudi GEA.

Anthony Joshua is 30th on the 100 Highest Paid Athletes list with $60 million. Even McGregor’s foe Jake Paul sits 52nd with $48 million and Naoya Inoue is 81st with $42 million. All sans global icon McGregor.

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Canelo Alvarez, Jake Paul, and Inoue all made big banks without Abu Dhabi DCT/Saudi Arabia GEA involvement. Alvarez and Inoue have since signed deals with the Saudis. The legit earnings were a fair reflection of what to make from big fights when there’s no monopoly at the top.

Conor McGregor yet to make combat sports return
Conor McGregor yet to make combat sports return (Source: X)

However, as said, Alvarez is now up for four fights and a PPV money fight against Terence Crawford. Many want to follow, to be a part of the ginormous Riyadh Season boxing installments. A global sports ambassador for the opening ceremony, with an invite from Saudi GEA boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, “Notorious” wanted in as well.

UFC brass and litigation once ponied up $50 million as a one-time promoter for The Money Fight: Mayweather Jr. vs. McGregor, 2017. Floyd Mayweather won that fight; McGregor though made a good case for being the world’s best-paid combat notoriety. UFC would be on a hard pass to do it again.

Turki is the man…had the shaking of the combat sports world; He’s been mending rivalries and making business for happen in the industry. I’ve got some big announcements for myself in the Saudi region…I was on a call with him only yesterday. We have some big, big things coming up including in the boxing realm as well.

Conor McGregor in an exlusive to talkSPORT host Jim White in Newcastle

Sportico reports that Conor McGregor once made $208 million, $180 million of which came from endorsements (sale of Proper 12). Now, a Dublin Civil court subsequently levied fines upward of €248,000 in damages (£206,000 /$260,000 all-in). His major brands have dropped him as brand pitchman and media face.

His UFC/combat return seems far from near due to his wonky status and kind of no need for a contract rehash. McGregor keeps teasing free agency with brass paying a fraction of his worth. He even teased big things with the Saudis in the pipeline. One rumor down, could a boxing return be imminent? If so, it does pull him out of the pit in a big way.

Related: Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, and Jon Jones UFC payouts: Know all about recently REVEALED lawsuit documents