Conor McGregor, the Irish mixed martial artist, boxer, and entrepreneur, has cemented his place as one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. As of 2024, his estimated net worth stands at around $200 million. This staggering fortune is the result of a combination of his highly successful career in combat sports, his various business ventures, and a string of endorsements with top global brands. McGregor’s path to immense wealth has been anything but ordinary, marked by spectacular fights, entrepreneurial ventures, and a flair for capturing public attention.
Born on July 14, 1988, in Crumlin, Dublin, McGregor grew up in a working-class family. His early years were far from the lifestyle of luxury that he now enjoys. Before achieving fame and wealth, McGregor worked as a plumber’s apprentice while training in mixed martial arts (MMA) in his spare time. His relentless work ethic and self-belief would eventually propel him to the top of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), but the journey was filled with hard work and moments of uncertainty.
McGregor’s rise to fame began in 2013 when he made his UFC debut. His debut performance was a spectacular victory, which earned him a significant following right from the start. His brash, charismatic persona made him a polarizing figure, but also an immensely popular one. McGregor’s sharp wit, trash-talking ability, and willingness to engage in psychological warfare before his fights made him a media magnet. This not only made him one of the most marketable fighters in the UFC but also increased the value of his fights, leading to bigger paydays with each bout.
McGregor’s fighting career is studded with many significant milestones that contributed to his fortune. Perhaps the most notable was when he became the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously in different weight divisions. This achievement came in 2016, when he defeated Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title while already holding the featherweight belt. It was a landmark moment in MMA history and solidified McGregor’s status as one of the best fighters to ever step into the octagon.
His success in the UFC led to increasingly lucrative fight contracts. McGregor’s fights consistently broke pay-per-view records, with fans eager to see him both in action and in the build-up to his bouts, which often featured heated exchanges between McGregor and his opponents. Each time McGregor stepped into the octagon, his personal brand grew, making him a more valuable asset not only to the UFC but to various sponsors and advertisers as well.
However, it wasn’t just McGregor’s fights in the UFC that made him rich. In 2017, McGregor stepped into the boxing ring to face the undefeated Floyd Mayweather in what was dubbed “The Money Fight.” This event was a spectacle that transcended combat sports and became a global phenomenon. While McGregor lost the fight, the payday was enormous. He reportedly earned around $100 million from the fight, including his share of the pay-per-view revenue and other bonuses. This single fight significantly boosted McGregor’s net worth, bringing him to a new level of wealth and fame.
After the Mayweather fight, McGregor took some time off from the octagon, but his business ventures continued to grow. One of the most successful of these ventures was the launch of his own whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, in 2018. The whiskey became an instant hit, selling hundreds of thousands of bottles within its first year and rapidly expanding into multiple markets worldwide. Proper No. Twelve has since become one of the best-selling whiskey brands in several countries, contributing tens of millions of dollars to McGregor’s fortune. In 2021, McGregor and his business partners sold a majority stake in the whiskey company for a reported $600 million, although McGregor retained some ownership and continues to promote the brand.
In addition to Proper No. Twelve, McGregor has dabbled in various other business ventures. He launched a clothing line, August McGregor, in partnership with tailor David August. The line focuses on high-end fashion, reflecting McGregor’s personal style, which is often flamboyant and attention-grabbing. This venture, while not as financially significant as his whiskey brand, adds another stream of revenue to his already diverse portfolio.
McGregor has also been involved in several endorsement deals over the years, further contributing to his wealth. His marketability is unparalleled in the world of combat sports, and he has inked deals with brands such as Reebok, Beats by Dre, Monster Energy, and Burger King, to name a few. These deals have brought in tens of millions of dollars, making McGregor one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, even during periods when he is not actively competing.
Despite his many business ventures, McGregor has always maintained that fighting remains his true passion. After a period of inactivity following the Mayweather fight, McGregor returned to the UFC in 2020 to fight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. McGregor won the fight in just 40 seconds, demonstrating that he still had the ability to perform at the highest level, even after a lengthy layoff. His return to the octagon was highly anticipated, and the fight once again generated massive pay-per-view numbers, adding further to McGregor’s wealth.
McGregor’s personal life has also been a subject of significant public interest. He has been in a long-term relationship with Dee Devlin, whom he met before his rise to fame. The couple has three children together, and McGregor often speaks about the importance of family in his life. Despite his brash public persona, McGregor is known to be a devoted father and partner. His relationship with Devlin has been one of the constants in his life, providing stability amid the chaos of his fighting career and business ventures.
However, McGregor’s journey to wealth and fame has not been without controversy. Over the years, he has been involved in several legal issues, including assault charges and altercations outside of the octagon. These incidents have occasionally tarnished his public image, though they have done little to dampen his financial success. McGregor has often used these controversies to fuel his larger-than-life persona, and his fans have largely remained loyal despite his off-the-field troubles.
One of the key factors behind McGregor’s wealth is his ability to control the narrative around his brand. Unlike many athletes who rely solely on their performances to generate income, McGregor has created a persona that extends far beyond the octagon or the boxing ring. He is a master of self-promotion, and his social media presence is a testament to that. With millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, McGregor is able to engage directly with his fanbase, promote his businesses, and stay in the public eye, even when he’s not fighting. This level of control over his own brand has been crucial in maintaining his financial success.
McGregor’s ability to reinvent himself as not just a fighter but as a global brand is a key reason why his net worth continues to grow. His entrepreneurial ventures, coupled with his ongoing presence in combat sports, ensure that he remains a dominant figure in both the business and sporting worlds. Even when he is not actively competing, McGregor’s businesses continue to thrive, and his name continues to be synonymous with success.
As of 2024, McGregor’s estimated net worth of $200 million is a reflection of both his sporting achievements and his business acumen. While he may have started out as a fighter, he has become much more than that. McGregor is now a global brand, with interests in fashion, alcohol, sports, and entertainment. His story is one of rags to riches, of a man who used his talent and charisma to build an empire that extends far beyond the world of combat sports.