The UFC 257 event, which took place in January 2021, was one of the most anticipated fights of the year, featuring a rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. The fight generated a lot of buzz, with many fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.
One of the most talked-about aspects of the fight was the amount of money that McGregor and Poirier would make from the event. According to various sources, McGregor was expected to make around $25.5 million for the fight, while Poirier was likely to take home $1 million. However, the actual figures were somewhat different, with McGregor reportedly earning $3 million and Poirier earning $830,000.
Despite the difference between the expected and actual figures, McGregor’s earnings from the fight were still significant, and it’s interesting to consider how much money top fighters can earn from high-profile events like UFC 257. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at McGregor’s earnings from the fight and explore some of the factors that contribute to the high salaries of top UFC fighters.
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McGregor’s Earnings from UFC 257
Conor McGregor is one of the most popular and highest-paid fighters in the UFC. His earnings from UFC 257, where he faced Dustin Poirier in the main event, have been a topic of interest for many fans and analysts.
According to Sportskeeda, McGregor reportedly made $3 million for showing up to fight Poirier at UFC 257. This amount is known as the show money, which is paid to the fighter regardless of the outcome of the fight.
In addition to the show money, McGregor also earned a share of the pay-per-view revenue. The exact amount of his share is not publicly disclosed, but it is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars. According to Forbes, McGregor’s total earnings from UFC 257 could reach $30 million.
It’s worth noting that McGregor’s earnings from UFC 257 are not limited to his fight purse. He is also a shrewd businessman and has various business ventures, including his whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve. McGregor’s brand has been a commercial success, and he reportedly sold a majority stake in the company for $600 million in 2020.
Overall, McGregor’s earnings from UFC 257 are a combination of his show money, his share of the pay-per-view revenue, and his business ventures. While the exact amount of his earnings may never be known, it’s clear that McGregor is one of the highest-paid fighters in the UFC and continues to be a major draw for the promotion.
The Fight and its Outcome
Conor McGregor, the former two-division UFC champion, returned to the Octagon on January 23, 2021, to face Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 257. The fight was a rematch of their 2014 bout, which McGregor won by first-round TKO. The highly anticipated rematch was expected to be a close fight, but no one could have predicted the outcome.
McGregor started the fight strong, landing some heavy shots on Poirier in the first round. However, Poirier weathered the storm and started to take control of the fight in the second round. He landed some big shots of his own and eventually caught McGregor with a series of punches that sent him to the canvas. Poirier followed up with some ground and pound, forcing the referee to stop the fight in the second round.
The win was a huge upset for McGregor, who was the favorite going into the fight. It was also a career-defining moment for Poirier, who had been working his way up the rankings for years and finally got his shot at the top.
According to Sportskeeda, McGregor reportedly made $3 million for showing up to fight Poirier in the main event of UFC 257. However, the same source also reported that McGregor’s total earnings for the fight could be much higher, depending on how the pay-per-view sales perform.
Factors Affecting McGregor’s Earnings
Conor McGregor is one of the most successful and highest-paid fighters in the history of the UFC. His earnings for UFC 257 were influenced by several factors, including:
Base Salary: According to Talksport, McGregor’s base salary for UFC 257 was $3 million. This was the second-highest base salary in UFC history, behind only Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Pay-Per-View Revenue: McGregor is a massive draw for the UFC, and his fights generate a significant amount of pay-per-view (PPV) revenue. According to Sportskeeda, McGregor’s share of the PPV revenue for UFC 257 was likely between $50 million and $100 million.
Performance Bonuses: The UFC often awards performance bonuses to fighters who put on exceptional performances. According to The Independent, McGregor received a $50,000 bonus for his performance at UFC 257.
It’s important to note that McGregor’s earnings for UFC 257 were likely higher than the figures reported in the media. The UFC does not disclose the exact amount of PPV revenue generated by its events, so it’s difficult to know exactly how much McGregor earned from the event. Additionally, McGregor has several endorsement deals and other sources of income that were not factored into his earnings for UFC 257.
Overall, McGregor’s earnings for UFC 257 were influenced by a combination of his base salary, PPV revenue, and performance bonuses. While the exact amount he earned from the event is unknown, it’s clear that McGregor is one of the highest-paid fighters in the history of the UFC.
McGregor’s Previous Earnings from UFC Fights
Conor McGregor is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, and his earnings from UFC fights are a significant contributor to his net worth. According to Forbes, McGregor made $48 million in 2020, with $32 million coming from endorsements and $16 million from his UFC fights.
McGregor’s earnings from UFC fights have varied, depending on the opponent and the event. Here is a breakdown of his earnings from some of his previous UFC fights:
- UFC 205 Eddie Alvarez $3 million
- UFC 202 Nate Diaz $3 million
- UFC 194 Jose Aldo $1 million
It’s important to note that these earnings do not include McGregor’s share of the pay-per-view revenue, which can be significant. For example, McGregor reportedly earned $50 million for his 2017 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., with much of that coming from pay-per-view revenue.
Overall, McGregor’s earnings from UFC fights have been substantial, and his star power and ability to draw in viewers have made him a valuable asset to the organization.
According to Forbes, McGregor has earned a total of $235 million in his career, with $158 million coming from endorsements and $77 million from his fights. McGregor’s earnings from UFC fights are likely to continue to be a major source of income for him in the future.
Conclusion
Conor McGregor is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid fighters in the UFC. His fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 was no exception. According to Sporting News, McGregor’s disclosed purse for the fight was $5 million, including a cut of the pay-per-view revenues. This is a significant amount for a single fight and shows how valuable McGregor is to the UFC.
However, it’s important to note that McGregor’s earnings from the fight don’t stop at his disclosed purse. As AS reports, McGregor was looking at around $20 million in total from the fight. This includes his disclosed purse, as well as other sources of income such as sponsorships and endorsements.
On the other hand, Poirier’s payday for the fight was significantly lower than McGregor’s. According to Sporting News, Poirier’s disclosed purse for the fight was $1 million. However, like McGregor, Poirier also earned additional income from the fight in the form of pay-per-view revenue and other sources.
Overall, both fighters earned significant amounts of money from their fight at UFC 257. McGregor’s earnings were higher than Poirier’s, but both fighters were able to walk away with substantial paydays. It will be interesting to see how much both fighters earn in their upcoming trilogy fight, which is sure to be another highly anticipated event in the world of mixed martial arts.
