With Fatherhood Looming, Conor McGregor Wants Ownership Stake in UFC

Conor McGregor isn’t just a fighter after UFC 205. He isn’t just a history-making two-division champion, either. By this time in 2017, McGregor will be a father.
And he wants to make sure that his child can have whatever he or she wants.
Speaking with …

Conor McGregor isn’t just a fighter after UFC 205. He isn’t just a history-making two-division champion, either. By this time in 2017, McGregor will be a father.

And he wants to make sure that his child can have whatever he or she wants.

Speaking with the assembled media at the UFC 205 post-fight press conference (warning, NSFW language), McGregor minced no words when discussing what he wants for his next fight. He wants more money…and a piece of the entire UFC.

“For a 28-year-old on top of the game. I can keep going all day. But I’m aware of my worth. I’ve got a kid on the way,” he said (h/t Jason Nawara of Champions.co for the transcription). He elaborated:

I’m happy to come and continue to do what I’m doing. I’m the highest paid already, but when I look at what you’re taking in, and I look at the list of what they’re bringing. You want me to stick around and pay off that debt, bring me on board. I need to be set for life as an owner. An equity stake in the company. That’s what I’m looking for.

One of the biggest stories in sports this year was the sale of the UFC. Owned for over a decade by casino moguls Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta under the banner of Zuffa, LLC, the UFC was handed over to talent agency WME | IMG for a whopping $4 billion

While that news was met with shock by the mainstream sports universe, the reaction in the MMA world was that of frustration, with many fighters annoyed that they make as little as $10,000 to compete at events that gross millions. McGregor, despite living a life of luxury, isn’t making his fair share, either.

In September, McGregor indicated that he will make around $40 million in 2016, which sounds like a lot until one considers how much revenue his fights generate in comparison to the rest of the roster. When one looks over how his three bouts this year have generated well over $30 million at the box office alone (which doesn’t include any kind of broadcast revenue), it’s hard to disagree with him wanting more.

Though demanding a stake in the company may sound absurd to longtime MMA fans, it’s worth noting that WME | IMG isn’t holding UFC equity as tightly as Zuffa did. The Wall Street Journal reported in September that 23 celebrities—ranging from talk show host Conan O’Brien to New England Patriots QB Tom Brady and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine—now own a piece of the UFC. McGregor could very well join them.

It’s hard to guess what will happen from here. McGregor and the UFC have publicly and, according to reports from B/R’s Jeremy Botter (h/t Off The Ball), privately butted heads for a while now, and it could mean the two parties are in for an ugly series of negotiations in the near future.

With a baby on the way, though, McGregor will have plenty on his plate, regardless of what happens with his fighting career.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Conor McGregor Demands Ownership Stake In UFC, Reveals First Baby On The Way

At the official UFC 205 post-fight press conference after the historic UFC debut event in the state of New York at Madison Square Garden last night, UFC’s reigning Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor made a couple of announcements…

conor-mcgregor-two-titles-p

At the official UFC 205 post-fight press conference after the historic UFC debut event in the state of New York at Madison Square Garden last night, UFC’s reigning Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor made a couple of announcements. One of them warrants a well-deserved congratulations and also bleeds into the second announcement, which could become one massive story depending on how things play out.

The UFC mega-star was asked by MMA Junkie’s John Morgan if he would deliver on the only promise left on the table after accomplishing all of the feats, setting all of the records and reaching the never-before-seen prestigious, history-making moments — in trademark “Mystic Mac” form — nearly down to the very last detail in the manner that he said he would.

“The Notorious” one mentioned during some interviews leading into tonight’s historic event that as soon as he’s done making history and breaking records, he would be making a big announcement, rumored to be that he is taking a hiatus from the fight game because he and his longtime better-half, Dee Devlin, are expecting the birth of their first child.

McGregor, who has made a habit of coming through on the predictions he makes as best he can, which outside of one of two fights against Nate Diaz has seen the Irish mega-star deliver with scary accuracy, confirmed the rumor about the couple starting a family together.

The reigning two-division UFC World Champion announced that he and Devlin are expecting the birth of their first child together in March and as a result of soon being the head of his own family mixed with the belief that he is single-handedly one of the main reasons why UFC sold for the $4.2 billion price tag that it did and why their business is at an all-time high on every level, that he needs to have a sit-down with the new owners to talk business.

McGregor noted that other than brief, basic introductions between the new owners and himself, the two sides haven’t really talked business to see where everyone is at right now and where they plan on heading as time goes on. He claimed that with the birth of his first child just a few months away and him staying incredibly busy, committing hours upon hours to prepare to make — and win in impressive fashion — the fights that are starting to break his own records, which were already the large majority of UFC’s all-time records, he feels with celebrities getting ownership stakes in the company, if anyone is deserving in some shares or equity, it’s “The Notorious” 145 and 155 pound top dog in the game today.

With McGregor’s demands or requirements from the UFC increasing as fast and as dramatic as his own status as a special figure in the fight game both present and all-time figure, he needs to have a sit-down with the owners and figure out a way to ensure his soon-to-be immediate family the best life he can provide them, while at the same time feeling good about committing as much time and effort as he claims he has been doing over the past few years.

It’s worth noting that McGregor made mention of feeling more than deserving of some equity / ownership participation in the company he is slowly but surely helping take to unseen levels of success almost single-handedly and regardless of his opponents, on a number of levels. He referenced the fact that celebrities have been buying into the company, quipping that “Conan O’Brien is the owner of the UFC,” before reiterating a few more times that he not only feels entitled to it, but that with the birth of his first child on the way, alluded to it potentially being something he is outright demanding.

Time will tell where the Conor McGregor journey takes us next, but one thing is clearly apparent at this point — wherever he takes us next, it’s guaranteed to be one hell of a ride. Enjoy it while it”s here.

Check out the complete UFC 205 post-fight press conference by clicking here. For video highlights of the Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez main event from UFC 205 on Saturday night, click here. For complete UFC 205 round-by-round results, click here.

Poll: Was UFC 205 The Best MMA Event Of All Time?

With tonight’s (Sat., November 12, 2016) historic UFC 205 in the record books from Madison Square Garden in New York City, the collective MMA world can now bask in the glory of a so-called ‘super card’ that actually delivered to the point of legitimately being in the conversation for the best mixed martial arts event

The post Poll: Was UFC 205 The Best MMA Event Of All Time? appeared first on LowKick MMA.

With tonight’s (Sat., November 12, 2016) historic UFC 205 in the record books from Madison Square Garden in New York City, the collective MMA world can now bask in the glory of a so-called ‘super card’ that actually delivered to the point of legitimately being in the conversation for the best mixed martial arts event of all time.

The card featured UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor making history by stopping lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez to become the first concurrent two-weight champion in UFC history in the main event, yet it also featured so, so much more. New York City’s first major MMA event also showcased the absolutely insane back-and-forth war between Tyron Woodley Stephen Thompson in the co-main event in addition to Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s entertaining women’s strawweight title bout versus a very game Karolina Kowalkiewicz.

The main card had more drama still, with Yoel Romero knocking out former champ Chris Weidman with a picturesque flying knee and Miesha Tate’s shocking retirement after her decision loss to Raquel Pennington. Finally, the prelims were home to even more exciting fights, as Frankie Edgar once again showed his legendary heart by surviving a huge head kick from Jeremy Stephens to outlast the power-hitting “Lil’ Heathen,” while top lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov picked up his first win over a top competitor in two-and-a-half years when he submitted Michael Johnson after a dominant wrestling display.

All in all, it was a legendary event that made a strong case for the best MMA event ever. Do you think it earned that lofty title?

The post Poll: Was UFC 205 The Best MMA Event Of All Time? appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Conor McGregor Finally Reveals What His ‘Big Announcement’ Is

Much was made of ‘The Notorious One’s’ big announcement that was being teased after the conclusion of his historic bout with Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 earlier today, (Saturday November 12, 2016), however, McGregor did not allude to anything regarding the announcement during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. During the UFC 205 post-fight press

The post Conor McGregor Finally Reveals What His ‘Big Announcement’ Is appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Much was made of ‘The Notorious One’s’ big announcement that was being teased after the conclusion of his historic bout with Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 earlier today, (Saturday November 12, 2016), however, McGregor did not allude to anything regarding the announcement during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

During the UFC 205 post-fight press conference McGregor was asked about the big announcement, to which the now two-weight UFC champion revealed that he and his longtime girlfriend are expecting a child soon next year:

“There was a few bombshells I wanted to hit but it was like ‘would I do it or will I not?’ Well we’ll just — a few announcement, one I’m going to be a daddy early next year,” McGregor said. “I’m crapping me jocks, I don’t know what way to take it, it’s gonna be messing with me head, I don’t want to be bringing a child into nothing like this.

“I don’t want no little celebrity like sh*t, I hate all that. I don’t want my family to be like that. That’s kind of the little thing I have in the back of me head, so I’m just gonna have this baby, take a little bit of time, and see what I feel after that.”

So there you have it folks, ‘Mystic Mac’ will not be retiring, instead he will be welcoming a little McGregor into the world. Now that the heavy-handed SBG Ireland product has made the history he has always predicted he would, it should be interesting to see where he finds himself going forward after tonight.

The post Conor McGregor Finally Reveals What His ‘Big Announcement’ Is appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Video: UFC 205 Post-Show Breakdown Of McGregor’s History-Making KO Victory At MSG

https://youtu.be/x_JHJfEVmA4

During the official UFC 205 post-show, which featured Jay Glazer, former UFC fighter turned MMA analyst Brian Stann and reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping and aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) immediately after…

205-post-show-mcgregor-alva

https://youtu.be/x_JHJfEVmA4

During the official UFC 205 post-show, which featured Jay Glazer, former UFC fighter turned MMA analyst Brian Stann and reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping and aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) immediately after the conclusion of the historic event on Saturday night, the crew spent some time breaking down the exciting, history-making main event between UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor and UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez.

McGregor would go on to knock down Alvarez several times inside of what ended up as just over an eight minute anihiliation that was finally stopped by “Big” John McCarthy at the 3:04 mark of the second round.

Check out the McGregor-Alvarez post-fight roundtable discussion between Glazer, Stann and Bisping from the official UFC 205 post-show above.

For video highlights of the Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez main event from UFC 205 on Saturday night, click here. For complete UFC 205 round-by-round results, click here.

McGregor, Romero Win POTN Bonus, Woodley-Thompson Named FOTN At UFC 205 In NYC

At the official UFC 205 post-fight press conference on Saturday night after the historic mega-event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonus winners were announced.

As seen in the tweet tha…

205-potn-fotn-bonus-winnner

At the official UFC 205 post-fight press conference on Saturday night after the historic mega-event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonus winners were announced.

As seen in the tweet that soon followed via UFC’s official Twitter page, one of two “Performance of the Night” (POTN) bonuses went to Conor McGregor, the UFC’s first-ever fighter to hold world titles in two weight divisions simultaneously. “The Notorious” one took home some extra bonus money after dropping former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez with big power punches several times before finishing him off at the 3:04 mark of the second round.

The second POTN bonus would go to UFC Middleweight fighter Yoel Romero for his highlight reel flying knee knockout of former 185-pound champion Chris Weidman in the second round of their main card bout.

Finally, the bonus for the “Fight of the Night” at UFC 205 this weekend went to challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley and the man he fought to a Majority Draw with in the co-main event of the evening, which kept the gold around the waist of “The Chosen One.”

For complete UFC 205 round-by-round results, click here.