UFC champion Conor McGregor has said his next goal is to eclipse Real Madrid soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo to become the highest-paid athlete in the world
The 29-year-old told Reuters that he wants to build a financial empire through a combination of new business ventures such as tailored suits, “Notorious” brand whiskey, plus fight purses, pay-per-view and sponsorship revenue. His ambition is top the Forbes 100 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
“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.”
Read More: Conor McGregor readies for legal fight over use of his "Notorious" trademark
“Ronaldo was number one last year, I was number 24... with $34 million in revenue,” McGregor said, adding that he earned $140 million from his 10th round technical knockout defeat by Mayweather 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.
Conor McGregor. Credit: Instagram
“So that’s what my goal is right now - number one, highest-paid athlete Forbes 2018, make my way toward the billion-dollar mark, and then continue to go.”
McGregor was speaking ahead of the premiere of the documentary film “Notorious,” which covers his rags to riches tale, from a trainee plumber to a two-weight UFC Champion.
McGregor said he wants to co-promote future fights with the UFC and also wants to get a stake in the company.
“So that’s what my goal is right now - number one, highest-paid athlete Forbes 2018, make my way toward the billion-dollar mark, and then continue to go.”
He referenced rapper and businessman P. Diddy as the model he’s following to build his own 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.
Speaking of his rise from the humble conditions show in the early part of the film, he said: “The world I was in then to the world I‘m in now, it’s alien to me. It’s just a completely different ball game. It took me back, it almost humbled me.”
Read More: First trailer for epic Conor McGregor film chronicling rags to riches story
“(But) I‘m just the same person. As far as everything else, there’s a lot around me that has changed. But me? I‘m the same person. I‘m cocky, I‘m arrogant but I‘m hard-working, I‘m humble. I‘m a mix of things,” he said.
“Notorious” will be shown in selected cinemas in Ireland, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. before being made available on DVD and for download on Nov. 20.
Comments