Conor McGregor banks 'historical' payday for UFC 329 return

Conor McGregor has secured what his management team calls a "historical" payday for his return to action Saturday at UFC 329, where he rematches Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Irish former two-division champion's longtime manager Audie Attar told Ariel Helwani that McGregor's compensation is "multiples" higher than any fighter in UFC or Zuffa Boxing. Attar declined to name a figure but acknowledged the negotiation proved difficult in the Paramount Plus era, which eliminated traditional pay-per-view revenue streams. "Look, we've been negotiating with the UFC for over 15 years now, so it hasn't always been an easy path, but we've always done good business," Attar said, per MMA Mania. "Is it where I want it to be in market value? No, but it's multiples over anybody in the UFC, including Zuffa Boxing."

McGregor deal eclipses Benn's reported $15 million Netflix figure

Attar's reference to multiples suggests McGregor earned significantly more than Conor Benn, who reportedly collected 15 million dollars for his recent Netflix debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner. UFC CEO Dana White previously explained the promotion developed a formula based on McGregor's historical pay-per-view averages to structure deals in the streaming era. "There's a formula to it, McGregor's going to do just fine," White said.

Attar added that McGregor's team never treated the negotiations as a standard comeback for a fighter coming off losses and a lengthy layoff. "You can talk about he's been out, and he lost, but it doesn't matter," Attar said. "As a famous man once said, everyone thinks he's toast, but he's the bread."

UFC 329 airs Saturday on Paramount Plus, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. Eastern.

Original reporting:

• mmamania.com — Conor McGregor Banks Historic Payday For UFC 329 | MMA Mania