Conor McGregor fought in the biggest fight of his life this summer against Floyd Mayweather. And now, he's not settling for anything less than the best. Speaking to reporters in Dublin at the opening of his documentary, "Notorious," McGregor said it's ownership or bust as far as returning to the UFC.
"They've got to entice me now because I came from a billion dollar fight," McGregor said. "I want equity. I want ownership. I want to be a true partner, similar to the way I was in the Floyd fight. I was a promoter and I was a fighter, and that must continue for me to continue."
McGregor, who has not fought in UFC since November 2016, said his previous three fights earned him $40 million combined. The fight with Mayweather gave him a $30 million check guaranteed, with a total payday of around $100 million.
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The Irish fighter has a good argument, too – he's the UFC's biggest star. His last fight generated $17.7 million in ticket sales, which is about eight times what a normal UFC fight card earns.
UFC president Dana White says that if anyone deserves an equity offer, it's McGregor.
"Conor is the real deal and he's a huge superstar, a global superstar," White said. "We will get a deal done."
White may be more likely to work with McGregor because some of the other top stars have flamed out. Ronda Rousey hasn't won a fight since November of 2015, and Jon Jones failed a second drug test and could be suspended for up to four years.
McGregor also has the advantage of knowing that White's salary is tied to future UFC profits. McGregor returning to the octagon would bring in a ton of cash to both the league and White's pockets.
But even if a deal doesn't happen, McGregor won't be resting on his laurels. Since the Mayweather fight, he's begun selling a training program and his own "Notorious"-branded whiskey.
McGregor has always had a flair for business. We'll still be hearing plenty from him, even if he never fights again.
