Dana White Says Conor McGregor Is Not a Co-owner of The UFC Despite His Demands

Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White has shot down suggestions that his biggest star, former two-divisional champion Conor McGregor, is a co-owner in the UFC, despite the fact he’s making a return in October.

Following McGregor’s high-profile boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. last year, from which he reportedly earned approximately $100 million, the Irishman said he was only going to return to the UFC Octagon if they could entice him by making him a partner or a promoter for his future fights, similar to the deal he was given for his fight with Mayweather.

White confirmed on Tuesday via MMA Junkie that none of McGregor’s demands were met but claimed that McGregor will receive a huge pay day for his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“He’s not a part owner,” White said. “He might as well be though. He’s making so much fucking money. He’s making so much fucking money he might as well be a part owner.”

The amount of money McGregor will receive for the fight will be revealed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission ahead of the bout. He’ll also get a cut of the pay-per-view revenue for arguably the most anticipated fight in UFC history. Despite the fear that both fighters would be seeking unrealistic financial demands, White said negotiations weren’t difficult, which he claims showed just how much the pair want to fight each other.

“Not at all,” White answered when asked how hard it was to seal the deal for McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov. “If you look at when Conor’s deal got done in New York and when we announced the fight. Everybody wants to fight.”