NEW YORK — Conor McGregor made history on Saturday night when he became the first simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history by knocking out Eddie Alvarez in the second round of their fight at UFC 205.
All week long, leading up to the historic event at Madison Square Garden, McGregor had been asked numerous times about a huge announcement that he had teased, but he failed to address in his post-fight comments inside the Octagon.
Later, McGregor finally addressed the rumors, revealing one big piece of personal news as well as what comes next for him after another record-breaking card with his fight in New York.
“There’s a few bombshells I wanted to hit but then it was like ‘do I do it or don’t do it?’ One announcement, I’m going to be a daddy early next year,” McGregor said. “I’m crapping me jocks, I’m not going to lie. I don’t even know what way to take it. It’s messing with me head because I don’t want to be bringing a child into this. I don’t even want to do the celebrity type (expletive). I hate all that. I don’t want my family to be like that.
“I’m just going to have this baby, take a little bit of time and see what way I feel after that.”
McGregor said he and his longtime girlfriend Dee Devlin are expecting their baby in May of next year and the addition to their family also put things into perspective for his professional aspirations as well.
McGregor has long talked about getting some sort of equity in the UFC, especially after seeing the company sold for $4.2 billion recently to WME-IMG.
New UFC owners Ari Emaneul and Patrick Whitesell were in attendance for the event on Saturday night, but McGregor says he still hasn’t had the chance to sit down with them to discuss his future with the company.
According to McGregor that meeting has to happen first and then the new owners need to up the ante if they want him to return to the Octagon any time soon.
“They’ve got to come talk to me now. Cause no one has come talk to me since the sale happened as a businessman. I’ve been approached as a ‘hello’ and that type of stuff but I’ve earned something. Who owns the company now? There’s people that have shares in the company, celebrities, Conan O’Brien owns the UFC now. So where’s my share? Where’s my equity?” McGregor said.
“If I’m the one that’s bringing this. They’ve got to come talk to me now, that’s all I know. I’ve got both belts, a chunk of money, a little family on the way. You want me to stick around, you want me to keep doing what I’m doing, let’s talk, but I want ownership. I want an equal share. I want what I deserve, what I’ve earned.”
McGregor was clear in his request, especially considering what UFC 205 will likely pull in financially after the event recoups even more money from pay-per-view sales. The show already raked in over $17 million at the gate — a new record by the UFC and for Madison Square Garden — and UFC president Dana White confirmed that the show will break the all time pay-per-view record for the company as well.
All of those figures add up to McGregor wanting a bigger piece of the pie and that’s what he’s demanding if the UFC wants to retain his services.
“I’m aware of my worth and now I’ve got a family. Now I’ve got a kid on the way. I’m coming for mine now if you want me back,” McGregor said.
McGregor also mentioned the financial documents that former UFC owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta used to help sell the company in the first place and that only got the Irishman thirstier for a bigger stake in the promotion.
“I feel I’ve out worn the other one, the previous contract. Now it’s time for the real. I know I’m the highest paid already, but when I’m looking at what they’re taking in and that list that Lorenzo (Fertitta) and that team compiled to show the new owners, that’s like the gospel right there. That’s proof of what I bring,” McGregor said.
“You want me to be around, stick around and help service that debt and help push the company — bring me on board for real. Not just as this. I need to be set for life with this. If you want me to be truly in on this, I need to be all in on this, proper, as owner. Have an equity stake in the company. So that’s what I’m looking for.”
Obviously following such a stunning win, McGregor will once again have his pick of opponents ranging from top-ranked lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov and even the potential of adding a third title with a growing rivalry against welterweight champ Tyron Woodley.
As enticing as all those fights might be, McGregor says he’s not worried about any of them until after he gets what he’s worth and not a moment sooner.
“I’ve got a million other hurdles before I consider any of this,” McGregor said. “Whoever runs this who (expletive) now has got to come to me and give me the real slice cause that’s what I’ve earned. I’ve earned this. Biggest gate. Biggest everything.”
