Following the successful and entertaining event in UFC 205, Dana White announced that they have “broken all records” that the company has previously set. The UFC president also confirmed that this included exceeding the historical numbers with both pay-per-view buys and live gate.
McGregor has always spoken about knowing what he’s worth. After the contest, he announced that he has a baby on the way, and he says he wants a stake in the company if they want him back.
“They have got to come talk to me now,” McGregor said. “No one has talked to me since the sale happened. As a businessman, no one has approached (me yet), but I’ve earned something.”
“Who owns the company now? There’s people who have shares in the company, celebrities — Conan O’Brien owns the UFC nowadays. So where’s my share? Where’s my equity?”
“If I’m the one that’s bringing this, they’ve got to come talk to me now. That’s all I know. I’ve got both belts, a chunk of money, and a little family on the way,” he said. “If you want me to stick around, if you want me to keep doing what I’m doing, let’s talk. But I want ownership now. I want equal share. I want what I deserve.”
“I’m coming for mine now if you want me back,” he said. “Whoever runs this whole shit has got to come to me and give me a real slice, because that’s what I’ve earned. Biggest gate and biggest everything.”
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McGregor says he’s comfortable at all three weight classes he’s fought at in 145, 155 and 170 lbs. He says he’s not closing the door about defending one of his titles or even going for a third belt in as many divisions, but he clearly wants that ownership stake first.
“I feel like I’ve outworn the previous contract. Now it’s time for the real slice,” he said. “I know I’m the highest paid already, but when I’m looking at what they’re taking in, and that list Lorenzo and that team compiled to show the new owners, that’s like the gospel right there — proof of what I bring.”
“If you want me to stick around and continue to push the company higher, bring me on board for real. Not just as this.”
“I need to be set for life with this. If you want me to be truly in on this, then I need to be all in this, proper, as owner, have an equity stake in the company.”
McGregor is undoubtedly the biggest star in combat sports right now. While he may indeed be the highest paid UFC fighter currently, he is probably correct that his paycheck doesn’t come close to the amount of revenue he brings the company on each of his events.
It remains to be seen if the new owners from WME-IMG will grant him a stake in the company or grant him a bigger share of the pie, but with his star power being as high as ever, there’s no better time to ask than now.
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