Conor McGregor “I’ll Always Campaign for Fighters Getting Their Worth”
Conor McGregor made it clear during a recent press conference that he remains committed to helping fighters earn more money. When asked whether his own massive success might have made it harder for the UFC to pay future stars at the same level, McGregor pushed back on the idea and instead focused on the progress being made.
“You know, I’ll always campaign for the fighters getting their worth,” McGregor said. “And I’m very happy with it. We’re getting, it’s a steady rise.”
McGregor pointed to Max Holloway as an example of how much fighter pay has improved in recent years.
“If you ask Max, I’m sure it’s probably five times his previous highest pay, you know?” he added. “So the boys are getting there, and the boys and the girls are getting there, and I will always campaign for that, and I’ll always be happy that I have helped spearhead that.”
The comments show that McGregor still sees himself as someone who helped open the door for better compensation in the sport. Even though he is no longer the active UFC champion, he continues to speak up about fighter pay and takes pride in the fact that compensation has improved since he first broke through.
McGregor acknowledged that his position is sometimes complicated. As the owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, he has to balance his role as a fighter advocate with his responsibilities as a business owner.
“As an owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, it kind of puts me in a pickle, you know?” he said. “I always vouch for the fighters, so, but I also have a stake in the company, so there has to be some sort of balance.”
Despite that conflict, McGregor made it clear where his heart lies.
“But still, I’m a fighter at heart,” he said. “I know what it takes in this business, and I know without the fighters, there is none of this, not an iota of it.”
McGregor’s message was consistent throughout the exchange. He believes the sport is heading in the right direction when it comes to fighter compensation, and he wants to see that progress continue. He also made it clear that he will keep using his platform to push for more.
The comments come at a time when fighter pay remains one of the most discussed topics in MMA. While many fighters have seen increases in recent years, there is still a wide gap between the top earners and those lower on the card. McGregor’s willingness to speak openly about the issue shows that he has not forgotten where he came from.
By highlighting how much Max Holloway and others are now earning compared to the past, McGregor is pointing to real improvement. At the same time, his promise to “always campaign” for fighters suggests he believes there is still more work to be done.
For McGregor, this is not just about money. It is about recognizing the value that fighters bring to the sport. As he put it, without the fighters, “there is none of this.”
As he prepares for his upcoming fight with Max Holloway, McGregor continues to use his platform to speak on issues that matter to the wider fighting community. His comments on fighter pay show that even with all his success, he has not lost sight of the fighters who are still fighting for better opportunities.
What do you think about McGregor’s comments on fighter pay? Do you believe the sport is paying fighters fairly now, or is there still a long way to go? Let me know in the comments below.
