McGregor demands business share of UFC after lightweight title victory

Conor McGregor has demanded a share of ownership in the UFC following his total destruction of Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 to claim the ligthtweight title at Madison Square Garden last night.

McGregor put Alvarez on the canvas three times in the first round, before a four-punch combination grounded his opponent again in the second, with McGregor going on to ground and pound and finish the tie with ease.

UFC president Dana White announced post-fight that the event had “broken all records” including pay-per-view buys and also live gate.

McGregor had a double announcement in the aftermath stating that his long-term girlfriend Dee Devlin was pregnant and also that he wanted a share of the company in order to continue fighting for the organisation.

“They have got to come talk to me now,” McGregor said. “No one has talked to me since the sale happened. As a businessman, no one has approached (me yet), but I’ve earned something.

“Who owns the company now? There’s people who have shares in the company, celebrities — Conan O’Brien owns the UFC nowadays. So where’s my share? Where’s my equity?

“If I’m the one that’s bringing this, they’ve got to come talk to me now. That’s all I know. I’ve got both belts, a chunk of money, and a little family on the way.

“If you want me to stick around, if you want me to keep doing what I’m doing, let’s talk. But I want ownership now. I want equal share. I want what I deserve.

“I’m coming for mine now if you want me back.

“Whoever runs this whole s**t has got to come to me and give me a real slice, because that’s what I’ve earned. Biggest gate and biggest everything.”

The debate now will turn to what is next for the Notorious with three posible options: a rematch to defend his featherweight title against Jose Aldo; a defence of the lightweight title, most likely against Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov; or an attempt at winning a third title at welterweight against Tyron Woodley.

Howevever, on a night of celebration for the Crumlin man in New York, it was business rather than battling that was first and foremost on his mind in the post-fight exchanges.

“I feel like I’ve outworn the previous contract. Now it’s time for the real slice,” he said. “I know I’m the highest paid already, but when I’m looking at what they’re taking in, and that list Lorenzo (Ferrtitta – the former UFC owner) and that team compiled to show the new owners, that’s like the gospel right there — proof of what I bring.

“If you want me to stick around and continue to push the company higher, bring me on board for real. Not just as this.

“I need to be set for life with this. If you want me to be truly in on this, then I need to be all in this, proper, as owner, have an equity stake in the company.”