UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor veered off the beaten path this year. Although Mayweather vs. McGregor was a profitable venture for the UFC at the time, it may have come back to bite them where it hurts…
Often loud and controversial, but also unique and talented, Conor McGregor appeals to a wide audience. Although not to everyone’s taste, McGregor’s brash and brazen persona has led him to superstardom in just a few years.
During the last 12 months, we’ve seen the business acumen of ‘The Notorious’ on full display. Crossing over to professional boxing, McGregor took on Floyd Mayweather in a bout that was all about numbers.
The numbers on McGregor’s boxing paycheck were massive, and the Irishman’s UFC worth had suddenly rocketed. But his employers hadn’t got that memo, and have been apparently low-balling McGregor.
Knowing his worth and sticking to his guns, McGregor will likely be out until mid-2018 at the minimum, as confirmed by John Kavanagh.
McGregor Hasn’t Decided on Boxing or MMA
Since it’s a numbers game to him, McGregor concedes he is still unsure about his fighting future. Speaking to The Mac Life, ‘The Notorious’ still won’t put a solid date on his comeback:
“My focus is getting back into the right ring or octagon. 2017 was historic.” McGregor said of his wild 2017. “I have transcended both the sport of MMA and boxing.”
“At this stage of my career, as it has been for the majority of my UFC career, potential opponents must lobby for fights with me.We could see Conor McGregor anywhere. I run the fight game, the fashion game, the whiskey game, or whatever the next business endeavour might be.
“I have every intention of fighting in 2018 if my compensation and business development endeavours accurately reflect my influence on combat sports.”
Sad Emoji
Meanwhile, UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway had some shade to throw McGregor’s way:
“I’m the champion of my division and I got to keep everything rolling,” Holloway said at the UFC 218 post-fight press conference. “I got to keep everything going. I got to (get) thrown in the deep end. I’m not going to go on a hiatus. As long as I get contenders, I’m going to fight.
“If (the) UFC call me up for that reason, any reason to fight him (McGregor), I’d gladly fight him. If the Conor fight don’t happen, it’s not on my side, I’ll tell you guys right now. It’s on their team. Their team talks about me all the time.”
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They tell me about how I’m the best guy in the world and blah-blah-blah and this and that, but now, really think about this. Right now Conor’s talking about fighting Paulie Malignaggi in MMA. Let that sink in. Paulie Malignaggi in MMA, I don’t know what to say.”
If I had to really tell him, I’d tell him ‘Go figure your life out” with whats going on in the media, you’re hearing crazy things about the dude. I hope it’s not true, I hope we don’t see another guy see his statue fall because of *censored* things he chose to do outside the octagon.”
