• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

MMA Payout

The Business of Combat Sports

  • Home
  • MMA
    • UFC
    • Bellator
    • One
    • PFL
  • Boxing
  • Legal
  • Ratings
  • Payouts
  • Attendance
  • Gate

McGregor makes Forbes’ annual “World’s Highest-Paid Athletes”

June 12, 2016 by Jason Cruz 3 Comments

Forbes released its annual report on the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes from June 2015 to June 2016.  Conor McGregor is the first UFC fighter to make the top 100 list.

McGregor landed at number 85 on the list earning a total of $22 million.  His salary is reported at $q8 million while he made another $4 million in endorsements.

Soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list with total pay of $88 million.  There was $56 million in salary and $32 million in endorsements.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. lost his top spot from the past couple years as with just one fight during the timeframe he earned $44 million for one night’s work this past September against Andre Berto.  Still, he was number 16 on the list.  Manny Pacquiao was number 63 as he earned $24 million for his May fight against Timothy Bradley, Jr.  Canelo Alvarez was 92nd with $21.5 million.  Canelo had 2 fights within the one year from June to June.

Payout Perspective:

McGregor had 3 fights from June 2015-June 2016 (Mendes, Aldo and Diaz).  This would average $6 million per fight.  The endorsement deals are interesting considering the UFC Outfitting Policy does not allow outside sponsors during fight week or event night.  McGregor has an individual Reebok deal and has worn a Monster patch during his fights.

Filed Under: financial, payouts, Reebok, UFC

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. E Tops says

    June 12, 2016 at 6:41 pm

    Soccer has really step up in the past few years. They make more money than basketball and baseball players to all the gold diggers out there.

    As for mma fighters and boxers. You will never make that type of money. Mayweather was once in a lifetime. Although $22 million is nothing to sneeze at.

    No wwe guys? Of course not, it’s trash.

    Reply
  2. Wil says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:47 am

    Tops E….relax. Mayweather wasnt once in a lifetime, thats a silly statement. Manny was always high on the list as well, thats two boxers that were atop the list. Tyson, Holyfield, DLH were all on the list at times as well. And Its almost a guarantee that both Klitschko and Fury will be on the list since their last fight split a 30m dollar purse, the next one should be at least 40m, especially since its in the UK. Come on now lets get it together.
    And as for Soccer, where have you been??? Thats been the worlds #1 sport for decades.

    Reply
  3. tops E says

    June 13, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Thats e tops,not me……boxing.is where the moneys at..
    .ufc cheapie promotion…hahaha…dw is hyping so hard for the sale….

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Featured

Dominance responds to Plaintiffs’ Fee Request

Senate makes mockery of Ali Act hearing

Wrestlemania 42 attendance dips from 2025

How will WWE’s big weekend turn out?

UFC 327 attendance, gate and bonuses

Plaintiffs seeking $270K from Dominance MMA

Archives

MMA Payout Follow

MMAPayout

Maybe we should do more tariffs?

Fight Basics @fightbasicz

Dana White and the UFC are struggling to sell out UFC 328 despite a stacked card, with ticket prices starting around $350 likely playing a role.

That said, it’s not just the UFC—even MVP events with $70 tickets have had trouble filling arenas, suggesting a broader trend.

Retweet on Twitter MMA Payout Retweeted

Hey @MarkKriegel

If you have any evidence (direct or circumstantial) against any WBO officials, please contact immediately the FBI. Put your actions behind your words. @FBI @SIChrisMannix

Retweet on Twitter MMA Payout Retweeted

There hasn’t been a beatdown in Atlanta like this since the Horsemen jumped Dusty Rhodes in the locker room at The Omni.

Retweet on Twitter MMA Payout Retweeted

Sleeping on the couch tonight for laughing at this too hard.

What a b-word

Daily Mail @DailyMail

Glamorous JP Morgan exec accused of turning married male broker into her office sex slave: Viagra spiking and litany of obscene forced acts that made him cry https://trib.al/BiXXCM0

Load More

Copyright © 2026 · MMA Payout: The Business of Combat Sports