Posted on: November 24, 2024, 01:37h.
Last updated on: November 24, 2024, 02:41h.
It’s not good when one of the main voices of UFC, and the world’s biggest podcaster according to Spotify, Joe Rogan, calls you out.
But that’s just what happened Thursday on The Joe Rogan Experience, when Rogan, talking to actor Josh Brolin, touched on Conor McGregor’s unprecedented rise to UFC greatness, followed by what’s been a fall, from an in-the-Octagon perspective, anyway.
Rogan: Course Changed After Mayweather
Conor self-destructed, in a lot of ways, because of money. I mean, he took that fight with Floyd Mayweather (in 2017), made a ton of money off that, and then took a long time before he came back to MMA, and he’s just not been the same guy since. And I think that’s just money, it’s a lot of partying. But when Conor was in his prime, he was a f—— assassin,” said Rogan on his show.
McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He was supposed to make his comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June but had to pull out weeks before because of an injured toe. McGregor has lost three of his last four UFC fights.
Backed Out of Chandler Fight
McGregor still is one of the highest-earning athletes in the world. Reports have his net worth at $200 million – endorsement deals and business interests (including an Irish whiskey brand called Proper No. Twelve) on top of career earnings.
Then on Friday, a civil court jury in Ireland found that McGregor did in fact sexually assault a woman in a hotel room in 2018 and ordered McGregor to pay her 248,000 Euros ($258,000 USD). McGregor said the sex was consensual, denied wrongdoing, and posted on X that will be appealing the decision.
So what’s next for the 36-year-old?
Biggest Fight of the Year
His saleability from a fight perspective still shines. A return UFC fight would generate massive viewership and earnings, no doubt.
“It’s safe to say, even now, when McGregor’s name is attached, we know that it will be popular so a good opportunity to create turnover and increase activation of clients,” one trader told us previously.
Traders from other sportsbooks concurred:
If or when Conor fights again, it would be the biggest fight of the year. He draws a lot of action from casual fans,” a trader from BetMGM told us.
“If McGregor were to fight again, the four-year gap might have a counter effect, meaning we see higher turnover but feel the scale of this will reflect the opponent,” said Mark Collier, a trader with BetVictor. “If he fights Chandler, which is arguably a closely traded betting line then this might govern higher turnover. A set up fight like he did against Cowboy Cerrone might not hold a lot of weight but no doubt would generate an above average type of business for us. The options are there for Conor if he gets back to training with John Kavanagh and throwing himself 100% back into……we will be there to offer the betting that’s for sure.”
BetMGM has McGregor at +4000 that he will be UFC’s Men’s Welterweight champion on Dec. 31, 2025 (+3500 that he’ll be Men’s Lightweight champ on that date).
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