Conor McGregor confirms that MMA is now his ‘third level of income’

Conor McGregor is in the enviable position where he doesn’t need to fight again

McGregor has broken the mould for mixed martial artists in that he has shown what is possible in terms of potential earning power for the biggest superstars in the UFC. After skyrocketing to the pinnacle of MMA, McGregor crossed over to boxing for a lucrative, albeit unsuccessful, debut against Floyd Mayweather. ‘The Notorious’ might not have won a fight in over two years but the fact that he remains the biggest draw in combat sports in spite of that speaks volumes about how intelligent he is as a businessman. McGregor was smart enough not to rest on his laurels with his achievements and took full advantage of his newfound fame by opening up several revenue streams for himself before the inevitable decline that happens when prize-fighters pass their prime. On the third anniversary of his shock defeat to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, McGregor looked back on the short-notice fight fondly and appreciated how far he has come since, pointing out that combat sports now represent his third source of income. Presumably, McGregor is referring to the money that is currently pouring in from his investment in his whiskey, Proper 12, and his clothing line, August McGregor, not to mention his countless sponsorship deals. https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1103177598945935360 The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion then went on to hint at a comeback as he remembered the arduous training camp he put himself through for the Diaz rematch at UFC 202. After his rumoured match-up with Donald Cerrone fell apart, apparently due to the UFC’s ridiculous insistence of making the bout a co-main event, McGregor remains determined to run it back with Khabib Nurmagomedov. https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1103179488475652096 UFC President Dana White revealed that McGregor continues to ask for the rematch with the current 155lbs champion after tapping out to a fourth-round neck crank at UFC 229 last year. "What Conor really wants is to fight Khabib. That’s the fight Conor really wants," White said. "So let him figure out what’s next."