Data provided by SafeBettingSites.com has revealed that UFC superstar Connor McGregor earned $180M in 2021, more than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and basketball maestro LeBron James.
McGregor’s performance earnings came from his appearance at UFC 257 in January 2021, in which he was knocked out by Dustin Poirier in the second round.
Despite the disappointing showing, the MMA fighter could still boost his income through various endorsements and sponsorship deals, including those with Reebok and Beats by Dre.
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His primary source of off-field income came through the sale of his whiskey brand Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits.
The Forbes data revealed that Connor McGregor earned $158 million in endorsements this year, three times more than Cristiano Ronaldo and double of LeBron James, as the athlete with the second-largest endorsement earnings globally.
