'Disgraceful': Fans fume over controversial Conor McGregor payday
UFC fans have been stunned at the sizeable difference between purses Conor McGregor and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone will receive ahead of their showdown.
McGregor, the former featherweight and lightweight champion who will fight for the first time in 15 months on Saturday when he meets Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena, was always going to pull in huge numbers for his octagon return.
‘COUNT ME IN’: Jorge Masvidal wants to help fight Australian bushfires
And the Nevada Athletic State Commission re-confirmed his position has the biggest drawcard in the UFC announcing ‘The Notorious’ would make $3 million for walking in to the octagon (prior to PPV sales).
But it was the purse of veteran Cerrone that left UFC fans perplexed.
‘Cowboy’ is set to make $200,000 from the fight, with an added bonus of $200,000 if he wins.
Fans were left outraged that the popular UFC veteran would be earning so little in relative terms, before PPV sales, compared to McGregor.
Cerrone getting done dirty here
— 🥊 Harry Elson 🥊 (@HazElsonBLBR) January 18, 2020
McGregor was getting $3m no matter what, so obviously he picked Cowboy over a real threat like Gaethje or Masvidal. What a crock...
And Cowboy’s a fool for agreeing to any kind of win bonus.— CDDoug (@CDLessThanDoug) January 18, 2020
Conor should be 5 to 10 million and Cowboy should be 2 million. Disgraceful how UFC pays their top line athletes who are subject to brain damage and concussion
— Donald J. Carpenter (@tobyfester) January 18, 2020
Anybody crying about Cowboy Cerrone's pay is an absolute idiot.
- This is the most eyes that will ever be on him. Great for marketing himself, like a documentary 😉
- He's on a two fight losing streak
- He's getting PPV points on probably the biggest buy since UFC 229— UFCStats💭 (@TheUFCStats) January 18, 2020
God damn robbery
— Matt (@Matt_Long_412) January 18, 2020
Those numbers will be greatly inflated when PPV sales comes into account.
McGregor supports Aussie bushfire appeal
The UFC and McGregor have teamed up to help raise funds for the Australian bushfire relief appeal ahead of the main event on Sunday (AEST).
McGregor is making his return to the octagon against ‘Cowboy’ this weekend, but has also made time to appear in a video to help raise funds for those affected in Australia.
‘COUNT ME IN’: Jorge Masvidal wants to help fight Australian bushfires
McGregor urged fans to purchase the merchandise, which features a heart in the middle of the outline of Australia, with all profits going to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
UFC boss Dana White also took to social media to advertise the cause and urged supporters to get behind the initiative.
