McGregor is first MMA fighter on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list

MANILA, Philippines – UFC featherweight titleholder Conor McGregor accomplished a milestone in his 8-year prizefighting career as he became the first mixed martial arts competitor to enter Forbes’ list of the top 100 highest-paid athletes for 2016. 

The 27-year-old Irishman ranked 85th on the list, earning a reported $22 million from June 2015 to June 2016.

McGregor got $18 million in fight earnings as he fought 3 times during the period covered by Forbes, competing at pay-per-view events such as UFC 189, UFC 194, and UFC 196. 

Meanwhile, he received another $4 million in endorsements from sponsors such as Reebok, Fanatics, Monster Energy, BSN, Bud Light, Rolls Royce, and Electronic Arts. 

Three other combat sports athletes also made the list as former boxing pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr ranked 16th with $44 million, retired 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao came in at 63rd with $24 million, and reigning WBC middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez placed 92nd with $21.5 million. 

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list with $88 million, marking the first time that neither Mayweather nor Tiger Woods landed in No. 1. 

McGregor is slated to square off with lightweight contender Nate Diaz in a welterweight rematch at UFC 202 on August 20. – Rappler.com