Conor McGregor proves Cristiano Ronaldo wrong five years after bold prediction

Conor McGregor told Cristiano Ronaldo he would overtake him as the world's richest athlete five years ago – and has now fulfilled his promise.

McGregor, 32 and Ronaldo met in Las Vegas during the build-up to his rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202 while Real Madrid, who Ronaldo was with at the time, were playing a friendly in America.

The Irishman made a big forecast during their conversation, telling the football superstar that he would be taking his top spot on the list which is compiled every year by Forbes Magazine.

"You were number one on the Forbes list," McGregor noted, after a discussion about owning a private jet. "I was like number 35 or something. Thirty eight I think I was

"I'll get up there, maybe next year I'll get you."

Ronaldo quickly jabbed back, jokingly saying "I don't think so," to the cocky fighter, who was just months away from becoming a two-weight world champion.

McGregor made a whopping £128million between May 1 of 2020 and the same date in 2021, beating out Messi and Ronaldo by £35m and £43m respectively.

He did it mostly by selling his whiskey brand Proper 12 for £106m to Proximo Spirits, as well as picking up £15.5m from his sporting endeavours, which were limited by the pandemic to just one fight with Dustin Poirier.

The trilogy fight is expected to earn the former champion another eight-figure payday and will take place in front of a packed crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC's first show with ticketed fans back in the fight capital of the world.

It's only the third time that an athlete has made more than £49.5m away from their sport while actively competing, with tennis star Roger Federer and golfing icon Tiger Woods the other two to break that limit.

The list is rounded out by NBA star LeBron James, PSG footballer Neymar, tennis legend Roger Federer, F1 star Sir Lewis Hamilton, Super Bowl-winning Tom Brady and Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant.

McGregor added to his resumé of product endorsements to put his stamp on a huge earning year. He engaged in campaigns with DraftKings, the video game Dystopia: Contest of Heroes and the lifestyle brand Roots of Fight.

He also participates in the UFC's gear sponsorship with Venum, and is paid handsomely to wear Monster Energy's logo on his shorts.

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