UFC flyweight champion Conor McGregor is expected to ramp up his market value after UFC 205 against lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in New York. (Photo : Getty Images/Michael Reaves)
Conor McGregor will face UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 on Nov. 12 in what is expected to be another big payday for the Irishman. Estimated figures have yet to be dished for the McGregor vs. Alvarez card though a safe figure would be nothing less than $1 million.
Conor McGregor’s initial match against Nate Diaz hardly drew interest until the latter came out with a surprise win at UFC 196. But even with a loss, the Irishman took home a cool $1 million.
The two met again at UFC 202 with McGregor pressured to come out with a win. He barely did with a decision win over Diaz. He eventually took home $3 million from that match. Given those two figures, it is likely that he will take home figures close to those earnings, Fox Sports reported.
Whatever the final amount would be, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McGregor improve on his no. 85 position in the Forbes 100 highest paid athletes list. McGregor is the first-ever UFC fighter to make the list.
While Conor McGregor is looking forward to a big payday, Alvarez seems to be more concerned about the fight happening in New York. There are apparently other things at stake than the money involved.
There is the fact that this would be the first time the sport will return to the state. The last time MMA action was held in New York was in 1997, Yahoo Sports reported.
The other possible historic accomplishment is McGregor winning the lightweight title. If he succeeds, he will become the only UFC fighter to hold titles in two different divisions. This was Conor McGregor’s original plan against Rafael Dos Anjos before the Brazilian pulled out of UFC 196 on account of a broken foot.
Alvarez pulled out a big upset over Dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night in July and eventually campaigned for a match against McGregor. The meeting was a bit sketchy at first with word that McGregor was bothered by an injury after his fight with Diaz.
After clearing the air, Dana White officially made the match which should be a fitting main card for the return of the UFC to New York. Check out the video below showing some highlights of Conor McGregor's upcoming match with Eddie Alvarez for UFC 205.
