Rich Dudes│How Pro Fighter Conor McGregor Made His $500M Net Worth Outside the Octagon

In the world of mixed martial arts, few names are as renowned as Conor Anthony McGregor. The brash, outspoken Irishman has built a legendary career inside the octagon and amassed a staggering $500 million net worth.

We’ll delve into the various aspects that have contributed to Conor McGregor's net worth, from his humble beginnings in Dublin, Ireland, to his lucrative business ventures and endorsement deals, and even his impressive luxury car collection and watches.

However, the real treasure in McGregor's life lies not in his financial wealth, but in his rich family connections. At the core of the Conor McGregor family is his mother, Margaret McGregor, an emblem of unwavering support and strength, a true champion in her own right.

McGregor’s fiancée, Dee Devlin, is anchored amid his tumultuous professional journey. Together, they welcomed their son, Conor Jack McGregor Jr., in 2017 and daughter, Croia McGregor, in 2019 to their close-knit family unit.

From swapping schoolbooks for boxing gloves at the tender age of 12 and training at Crumlin Boxing Club in Dublin, to eventually stepping into the high-octane world of mixed martial arts in 2008 with Cage Warriors, Conor Anthony McGregor's road to stardom has been anything but conventional. 

But before drafting intricate fight sequences and raining punches, McGregor was maneuvering sink setups and unclogging pipes, making a living as a plumber.

Conor McGregor's real life struggles shaped his path to success. Before he was the McGregor we know today, the guy was seriously strapped for cash. He even had to rely on welfare checks, scraping by each week on just $235. It just goes to show that the road to success isn't always a flashy one from the get-go. There are bound to be tough times, like any journey worth taking in life.

McGregor’s first amateur MMA fight saw him dominate and win by TKO in the first round. He rose through the ranks, eventually joining the UFC in 2013. His early UFC fights brought him moderate paychecks, earning only $10,000 in his first five years of fighting and $76,000 for his first big fight in the UFC.

Little did he know that his financial situation would soon change drastically as he began to make a name for himself in the sport.

Conor McGregor’s most significant accomplishment in the UFC is undoubtedly becoming a two-division champion, holding titles in both the Lightweight and Featherweight divisions simultaneously. This feat showcased his incredible talent and determination, solidifying his status as a global superstar.

His high-profile fights, such as those against Nate Diaz and Jose Aldo, or the legendary boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., have brought in massive paychecks, significantly contributing to his net worth.

Dustin Poirier defeated Conor in a trilogy bout that saw McGregor fracturing his tibia. Despite this setback, he is poised to return to the octagon in 2023 against Michael Chandler. With his continued presence in the sport and his history of high earnings from fights, McGregor’s net worth could keep rising in the coming years.

Smack dab in the limelight, McGregor's foray into the dazzling, dollar-soaked world of prize fights has been nothing short of a fairytale. The boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017 was a box office bonanza. Like a slot machine pouring out a jackpot, that epic face-off added a jaw-dropping $100 million to McGregor's pot of gold.

Then there was that unforgettable first-round knockout of Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, causing a minor earthquake in McGregor’s bank account to over $30 million, including the pay-per-view dollars and sponsor windfalls.

Oh, and let's not forget the stack of chips he took home from his bouts with Khabib Nurmagomedov—a tidy $3 million—and the pair of over $5 million paychecks from the sequel and trilogy fights against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

It gets even better. Between May 2020 and May 2021, Conor hoovered up $180 million. Fight purses, bonuses—you name it—have contributed to McGregor's towering wealth. No wonder he's the richest warrior to ever step foot in the octagon. Dare we say McGregor is in a financial league of his own?

But McGregor's money game isn't just about punches and takedowns. He's also a big player outside the ring. He's signed deals with big brands, like Reebok, Burger King, and Tiger. Trade, to name just a few. Add Beats by Dre, EA Sports, the Dystopia: Contest of Heroes mobile game, and trading company XTB.

Conor McGregor earned $32 million from winnings and salary in 2020 and an additional $16 million from endorsements. Forbes reports that Conor Mcgregor’s salary and earnings totaled over $70 million off the field in 2021, making him only the third athlete, after Roger Federer and Tiger Woods, to achieve such a feat while still actively competing.

These lucrative endorsement deals showcase McGregor’s earning potential and demonstrate his ability to capitalize on his fame and image outside the world of MMA.

Although it’s difficult to quantify the exact impact of social media on an individual’s net worth, it’s undeniable that McGregor’s online presence has helped him build and maintain his status as one of the world’s most successful and recognizable athletes.

McGregor's financial flair isn't boxed in by the octagon's four sides. He's also thrown his hat into the entrepreneurial ring, diversifying his wealth with an impressive portfolio of business ventures.

The Conor McGregor money train doesn't end with the fight scene and brand endorsements. The UFC juggernaut has also dipped his knuckles into the business world, padding his bank account with business ventures.

Take Proper No. Twelve, for instance. Bet you didn't know that it's McGregor's preferred Irish whiskey and his brainchild. The former plumber turned MMA superstar concocted his own Irish whiskey brand.

And just like most business owners, he knew when to cash in. In April 2021, McGregor sold a majority stake in Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits. The result? A thunderous $600 million pre-tax payout. The man doesn't just knock them out in the octagon, he knocks it out of the park in the business world too.

The UFC star has also ventured into the fashion scene with August McGregor menswear, a collaboration with luxury custom clothier David August Heil. He also owns The Mac Life, a media entity that covers the MMA and the UFC, further expanding his business empire. These successful ventures have contributed to building McGregor’s net worth.

Just when you thought his portfolio couldn't get any more impressive, McGregor unleashes his property prowess. His real estate investments are no featherweight in contributing to his net worth.

Imagine stepping into a fabulous villa under the sun-soaked skies of Marbella, Spain. Well, that's just a regular day for the Irish fighter. Back on his home soil, he's also the proud owner of a mansion in Dublin, where shamrocks and Guinness rule supreme.

This palatial Irish abode isn't just a notch above your standard manor. We're talking five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a gym for those off-season gains, a separate games section to hone those competitive edges, and even a place for some posh horse-riding action. Yes, the McGregor world is one where extravagance and elbow grease collide in a beautiful symphony of wealth.

His Marbella villa boasts an outdoor pool, spa, gym, LED-lit driveway, water feature, wine cellar, and a lift.

Now, just in case his business exploits and real estate portfolio weren't enough to floor you, let's steer this conversation onto McGregor's car obsession. Yes, folks, Conor McGregor invests in luxury cars from the biggest brands on the planet. Think Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, Bentley—you get the picture.

The centerpiece of this enviable collection? That would be the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. McGregor didn't just wake up one day and decide to buy this $440,000 marvel, he splurged on it after shaking the UFC world by trouncing Jose Aldo at UFC 194.

Then there's his custom-made Rolls-Royce Ghost. Decked out in an all-black exterior, this baby features McGregor's moniker, 'NOTORIOUS,' and a stencil of his don't-mess-with-me face in white vinyl on both sides. It's clear McGregor's ambitions aren't limited to exploits in the ring—but also extend to a high-octane love for luxury rides.

As an avid car enthusiast, it’s clear that McGregor takes great pride in his collection and enjoys sharing it with his fans on social media.

McGregor’s penchant for luxury doesn’t end with four wheels and an engine. The man has a soft spot for top-drawer watches too. His collection boasts clock creations from the who's who of the watch world. Rolexes, Patek Philippes, Jacob & Co, and Audemars Piguet, for starters.

Some of the crown jewels of his luxury watch collection include the Patek Philippe Rose Gold Nautilus 5980/1R-001, which came with a $97,000 price tag (that's roughly two fully kitted-out Toyota Priuses, for perspective), and the show-stopping Jacob & Co Astronomia Tourbillon Baguette. 

The Astronomia Tourbillon Baguette masterpiece cost McGregor over a million dollars. Or roughly the price of a nice, modest home in some parts of town.

These luxury watches serve as fashion statements and represent valuable assets in McGregor’s growing wealth. As with his car collection, McGregor’s impressive assortment of high-end timepieces showcases his appreciation for the finer things in life and contributes to his overall net worth.

Conor McGregor recently added a $3.6 million Lamborghini yacht to his collection of luxury assets. Known as the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 or the “Supercar of the Sea,” this yacht measures 63 feet long. It draws power from twin MAN V12 engines that pump out 2000 horsepower. Its top speed? A breezy 60 knots, making it a leader in its class.

The yacht sports a green hull that matches the color of the Lamborghini Sian and windows that replicate the iconic Lamborghini hexagons. Stepping inside, you'll find a cockpit with leather seats straight from the Huracán Evo and a helm that echoes the Aventador steering wheel.

McGregor has expressed delight over this purchase, ranking it among his best. These Lamborghini Tecnomar 63 yachts came into existence thanks to a collaboration between Tecnomar and Lamborghini, marking the Italian sports car producer's first venture into luxury yachts. McGregor bought the twelfth edition as a nod to his Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand and Lamborghini's founding year.

In addition to his various income streams and assets, Conor McGregor’s charity work and philanthropy have undoubtedly boosted his public image and reputation, further adding to his net worth. McGregor has donated to various charities, such as the Children’s Medical Research Foundation, Simon Community Homeless, Focus Ireland, and more.

Conor donated $500,000 to Dustin Poirier’s “Good Fight” foundation and PPE kits worth over $1 million to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. These charitable endeavors demonstrate McGregor’s commitment to giving back and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Conor McGregor is the epitome of blood, sweat, and a whole lot of business sense. From his humble debut in Dublin to the high-stakes spectacle of the UFC, McGregor's turned every punch into a payday, every victory into a venture.

McGregor has amassed more than just a stack of dollars, from fight prizes and brand partnerships to business maneuvers. He's built a monetized empire that would make Midas envious.

And he isn't even close to tapping out. McGregor's net worth steadily increases as he continues to rule the roost inside the octagon and the business boardroom. Cementing his place not only as a champion in the ultimate combat sport but also as a titan in the ultimate sport of wealth-building.