Watch Conor McGregor predict fame, belt and fortune as a 20-year-old in 2008
A few months after making his professinal MMA debut in 2008, Conor McGregor was already fiercely determined to one day wear a UFC belt and earn boatloads of cash along the way.
"My dream is to be world lightweight champion in the UFC, have more money than I know what to do with," McGregor says, "and have a great life for everyone in my family."
Assuming his family is content, McGregor has mostly realized his dream by claiming the UFC featherweight title. Now he has a small detour in being able to claim the lightweight belt because champion Rafael dos Anjos' foot injury will keep him out of UFC 196. Instead, McGregor will jump up two classes to the welterweight division on Saturday as a big favorite against Nate Diaz.
McGregor has also made a few bucks along the way and has more coming via entertainment deals, sponsorships and autographs. In fact, UFC chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta predicted that McGregor will become the UFC's first $100 millionaire.
How about one billion dollars?
McGregor was receptive when asked by Gareth Davies of BT Sports about possibly fighting Floyd Mayweather in a theoretical "billion dollar fight."
"I’m all about those numbers, Gareth," McGregor said, "so I would definitely do that, no problem ... I am open minded, I am open to discussion, I love competition, I love fighting. It would be nice to make that fight if the fans were interested and wanted to see it.”
But first, he's got to take care of Diaz this weekend.
Here's a bit more about McGregor's roots:
