Ahead of UFC 329, we are looking at the biggest storylines going into the event. Today: The drawing power of Conor McGregor.
If nothing good ever happened again in Conor McGregor’s MMA career, it could be argued that it wouldn’t matter.
Would it change the fact that he broke records? Made history? Became absurdly wealthy? Became a mainstream star? Crossed over into film? Turned a whiskey brand into a multimillion dollar enterprise that he sold to become even more wealthy?
No.
“The Notorious” is a prize fighter. It is clear that he has a desire to continue fighting and is not naive about the fact that one day he won’t be able to do this again.
#OnThisDay in 2016, @TheNotoriousMMA became the Champ Champ 🏆🏆
[ via @UFCOnThisDay @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/SO3w4ReRiz
— UFC (@ufc) November 12, 2021
The questions that do revolve around McGregor, especially after recent interviews, are about his future in the UFC. Despite his bravado, everyone involved and beyond is aware that he has a tall order to begin with in fighting the former undisputed featherweight champion in Max Holloway. It is also a key moment. McGregor handled Holloway the first time years before the latter ascended established dominance. To get the victory again would be a seminal one given the length of his layoff and the devastating injury he suffered in his last bout. That being said, a loss would be more than just a changing of the guard as it would raise questions about the drawing power and the dollar that McGregor could command going forward.
He has one more fight after Saturday and has said (albeit this point has been refuted by UFC CEO Dana White) that he has already penciled in another fight date next April which would mark the end of his current deal. He has been diplomatic in the media ahead of his fight with Holloway, acknowledging the great business that they have done together while being honest about keeping his options open to fight elsewhere.
Could a free agent McGregor be courted for a fight on Netflix with MVP Promotions if the money is right? Of course. He is also a part owner of Bare Knuckle FC. He could essentially be a self-promoter and command the lion’s share of the profits that the show does as opposed to only receiving a flat sum. Finally, there could bluntly be lucrative offers outright to have him box any number of opponents for top dollar.
Then there’s the UFC factor. Fights with the likes of Justin Gaethje, Islam Makhachev, and more at the top of their respective divisions are unlikely at this stage unless McGregor signs a new deal. He would undoubtedly be paid a great amount, but doing so would be signing away the chance for another promoter to pay him more than the UFC would in order to kick off their own show. That said, a new UFC deal could feel like job security regardless if the latter fights of the deal are not against the best of the best.
Saturday is the ultimate litmus test for McGregor. He sold out the T-Mobile Arena before tickets went on general sale and his media tour has saw him appear on the talk show circuit like a mainstream celebrity, something not one by any of the stars competing in this loaded summer season for the sport. All of this despite being years removed from his last fight. Should he be victorious, and thus set up another blockbuster fight, then it could be the perfect exclamation point on what has been an unbelievable summer for the UFC.
There is no question that McGregor is still big business. Exactly how big? We will find out on Saturday night.
