UFC president Dana White has responded to claims from Conor McGregor that he’ll make $80M from his fight against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
‘Notorious’ recently claimed that he’s set to make the biggest purse of his career when he meets the American at UFC 246 in Las Vegas.
The UFC’s opening event of 2020 will be headlined by McGregor’s first fight since he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.
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‘I’m Still the Bread’
Speaking about the fight with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, McGregor estimated the paycheck for his UFC comeback will be the biggest ever received.
“I’m confident it’s gonna be a nice paycheck,” McGregor said.
“Probably [the biggest] in my mixed martial arts career.”
“I’m estimating a good 80 million,”
“Because like I said we’ve got Australia and Canada and England and Ireland.”
“It should be a good one.”
“They think I’m toast but I’m still the bread.”
“They think I’m toast, Ariel, but I’m still the bread.” 🍞@TheNotoriousMMA says he made $50 million for the Khabib fight and predicts an $80 million payday for #UFC246 (via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/UjpLhbDBAC
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 13, 2020
‘Off the Charts’
And UFC boss Dana White has now responded to Notorious’ claims of his colossal UFC 246 purse.
Asked about the potential earnings for the fight, White reiterated the Dubliner’s status in the sport, and suggested the estimation may not be too far off.
Speaking to The Mac Life, White said: “We knew what the Conor fight would do and obviously we’re the ones that set the price for tickets and all the things that go along with the business.”
“Conor’s coming in here and he’s pulling a $10.6 million gate.”
“The fight’s off the charts.”
“As far as ESPN, and what’s going on there with PPV and everything else, everything is as usual.”
“Listen, Conor is a massive superstar in this sport and he’s a phenomenon,”
“The kid has been making big money since the day he stepped in.”
“Nothing has changed.”
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Redemption
UFC 246 will see McGregor attempt to claim his first win since he beat Eddie Alvarez back in 2016.
After a tough period of inactivity and legal troubles, McGregor is now looking to redeem himself.
The Irish superstar appears to have taken on a more humble, focused approach to his career as he looks to climb back to the top of the UFC.
McGregor recently named Khabib in his three-fight plan for 2020, and White has confirmed that should he beat Cerrone at UFC 246, Notorious’ chances of getting his rematch with the Russian are high.
“Obviously, he needs a win on Saturday,” White said.
“It’s a big deal for him to get back here and win this fight.
“What he’s been obsessed with is the rematch with Khabib so Saturday is a big step in that direction.”
(Featured image source: Instagram/ BT Sport and Conor McGregor)