Forbes: Conor McGregor No Longer Top-Paid Athlete, Remains No. 1 MMA Earner

Though it was a successful financial year by most any account, Conor McGregor is no longer the highest-paid athlete in professional sports.

According to Forbes, the former UFC two-division champion ranks 35th among the 50 highest-paid athletes for 2022. The Irish star reportedly garnered $43 million in total: $33 million from a UFC 264 bout against Dustin Poirer in July 2021 and another $10 million in endorsements and sponsorships.

That is a significant drop-off from the previous year, when McGregor ranked No. 1 among athletes with $180 million in earnings. That figure was due in large part to selling a majority stake of Proper No. Twelve whiskey for $150 million. He also reportedly banked $22 million for his first meeting with Poirier at UFC 257.

Topping on the 2022 list are soccer star Lionel Messi ($130 million) and NBA standout LeBron James ($121.2 million). Messi ranked second the previous year.

McGregor is the only mixed martial artist to make the top 50, but there were a few other combat sports notables on the list. Boxing star Canelo Alvarez checked in at No. 8 with $90 million, while recently retired heavyweight champ Tyson Fury ranked 18th at $62 million. Social-media-personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul also made the list at No. 46 with $38 million in earnings. Paul has gained attention in the MMA world for his criticism of UFC fighter pay as well as victories over former MMA champs Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren.