The latest rankings by Sportico unveiled Conor McGregor as the sole representative from the UFC among the top 50 highest-paid athletes of all time. McGregor’s remarkable journey from a two-division champion to a global phenomenon has earned him a significant place in sports history.
Released on March 7, 2024, the list compiled by Sportico highlights McGregor’s position at #50, amidst a dominance of boxers occupying higher ranks. Notable names such as Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao emerged ahead of McGregor, showcasing the lucrative nature of combat sports.
| Name | Inflation-Adjusted Earnings |
|---|---|
| Michael Jordan | $3.73B |
| Tiger Woods | $2.668B |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | $1.928B |
| Arnold Palmer | $1.763B |
| LeBron James | $1.7B |
| Jack Nicklaus | $1.67B |
| Lionel Messi | $1.67B |
| David Beckham | $1.5B |
| Roger Federer | $1.4B |
| Floyd Mayweather | $1.48B |
| Phil Mickelson | $1.43B |
| Michael Schumacher | $1.3B |
| Shaquille O’Neal | $1.21B |
| Kobe Bryant | $1.04B |
| Greg Norman | $1.03B |
| Neymar | $1.01B |
| Kevin Durant | $955M |
| Mike Tyson | $905M |
| Lewis Hamilton | $880M |
| Alex Rodriguez | $725M |
| Stephen Curry | $710M |
| Manny Pacquiao | $730M |
| Tom Brady | $745M |
| Jeff Gordon | $710M |
| Peyton Manning | $710M |
| George Foreman | $703M |
| Valentino Rossi | $700M |
| Rafael Nadal | $591M |
| Oscar De La Hoya | $583M |
| Derek Jeter | $575M |
| Rory McIlroy | $575M |
| Ernie Els | $542M |
| Novak Djokovic | $539M |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | $525M |
| Fernando Alonso | $525M |
| Magic Johnson | $545M |
| Canelo Alvarez | $545M |
| Evra Hingis | $545M |
| Kevin Garnett | $535M |
| Evander Holyfield | $550M |
| Serena Williams | $550M |
| Russell Westbrook | $520M |
| Andre Agassi | $515M |
| Chris Paul | $575M |
| James Harden | $570M |
| Kimi Raikkonen | $570M |
| Dwyane Wade | $555M |
| Aaron Rodgers | $560M |
| Drew Brees | $560M |
| Conor McGregor | $555M |
MMA journalist Jedi Goodman shared the rankings on X, drawing attention to McGregor’s standing in comparison to prominent boxers. The adjusted list for inflation emphasizes McGregor’s remarkable achievement within the realm of combat sports.
In a tweet, Goodman highlighted McGregor’s position alongside boxing legends:
“Sportico’s Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes of All-Time Other Notable outside the top 10: 18. Mike Tyson $905 ($460M non-adjusted earnings) 22. Manny Pacquiao $750M ($565M non-adjusted earnings) 26. George Foreman$705M ($360M non-adjusted earnings) 29. Oscar De La Hoya $685M ($410M non-adjusted earnings) 37. Canelo Alvarez $640M ($550M non-adjusted earnings) 40. Evander Holyfield $630M ($315M non-adjusted earnings) 50. Conor McGregor $555M ($465M non-adjusted earnings)”
Among combat sports athletes, Floyd Mayweather Jr. claimed the top spot at #10, highlighting the financial prowess of boxing in comparison to MMA. With Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Cristiano Ronaldo leading the overall rankings, McGregor’s presence reflects the evolution of MMA as a lucrative sport.
In response to the Poirier-Saint Denis bout at UFC 299, McGregor shared his thoughts on X, acknowledging the French fighters’ performance. His tweet sparked speculation about a potential rematch with Dustin Poirier, with ‘The Diamond’ responding to McGregor’s remarks during his post-fight conference.