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UFC's Conor McGregor: 'It Was a Dream' to Be Named Forbes' Highest-Paid Athlete

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVMay 14, 2021

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 23: (R-L) Conor McGregor of Ireland battles Dustin Poirier in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Conor McGregor was named Forbes' highest-paid athlete this week, and he's pretty darn excited about it.

"Baby we did it!!" he wrote on Instagram. "Uimhir a Haon 🇮🇪❤️ Thank you Forbes for recognizing my role as an entrepreneur! It was a dream to lead this list with so many successful athletes! Onwards and upwards we go."

Darren Rovell @darrenrovell

How Conor McGregor celebrates being named Forbes Highest Paid Athlete 😂😂😂😂😂<br><br>(Source: Dee Devlin/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/xnQIo45eD6

Per Forbes, McGregor cleared over $180 million over the past 12 months, largely due to the MMA fighter being paid $150 million after selling a majority stake in whiskey brand Proper No. Twelve. Endorsements accounted for another $8 million. 

He was one of four athletes estimated to rake in over $100 million in the past year, joining Barcelona's Lionel Messi ($130 million), Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo ($120 million) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ($107.5 million), the latter who jumped into the $100 million club after pulling in a $66 million signing bonus after inking a new contract this offseason.