Even though the bout is still six weeks away, Dana White claims that Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback fight has already shattered the organization’s all-time live gate record by earning “over £16 million.”
Conor McGregor’s comeback, according to Dana White, has brought in “over £16 million.”
Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor, both 35, square off at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas.
Since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021, the Irish celebrity has not engaged in combat.
According to UFC Chief Executive Dana White, Conor McGregor’s eagerly anticipated return matchup against Michael Chandler has already garnered the largest live gate in the organization’s history, totaling “£16 million.”
Just under three years have passed since McGregor, 35, suffered a broken leg in his last bout against Dustin Poirier. On June 29 in Las Vegas, he is scheduled to make his comeback to the octagon at UFC 303.
The Irish fighter has consistently brought in money for the UFC; his $17.7 million pay-out against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 set a new record for the organization’s live gate earnings.
But even though the battle is still six weeks away, it appears that the record has already been destroyed.
After Saturday’s UFC St. Louis match, White stated, “It’s already way over $20m (£16m).”
Conor McGregor returns to the octagon after three years to face Michael Chandler on June 29
Dan White has revealed that the fight has already produced a live gate of ‘over $20million’
When McGregor, 35, last faced Dustion Poirier in July 2021, he broke his leg in the opening frame.
It appears that McGregor still has the same pulling power as he did years ago, despite many people’s doubts.
Though none of these bouts came close to breaking the $20 million mark, McGregor has competed in three of the top five events in terms of sales history.
With the achievement of the major milestone, White has been able to gain revenge on Showtime Sports’ previous president, Stephen Espinoza.
Since jointly marketing the crossover boxing battle between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, the two combat sports celebrities have never been too fond of one another.
Canelo Alvarez and Jermell Charlo headlined an event that Espinoza organized back in September 2023 that raked in over $20 million. That year, he had staged three similar events, and this one was the third that brought in those figures.
The UFC was previously made fun of by Stephen Espinoza (left) for not exceeding the $20 million mark for a single event.
He made the decision to mock White’s mixed martial arts organization after the bout the previous year, saying, “This event on Saturday night will generate a gate of over $20 million.”
Such a performance is uncommon in combat sports. We will be doing a $20 million gate for the third time in the previous six months. To put that in context, over the course of its existence, the UFC has never done a $20 million gate. Since April, we have carried it out three times.
Not unexpectedly, given that it appears that the huge mark has been broken, White had a few things to say.
Excuse my words, but who gives a flying f*** what Espinoza thinks?’ he remarked. Espinoza is where? Who is concerned about s***?
