Dana White thinks money played an element within the demise of two of the UFC’s biggest legends.
Conor McGregor hasn’t been the identical since making $100 million to fight Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
Khabib Nurmagomedov also got super wealthy before calling it a profession at just 32 years old in 2020.
Dana White thinks things could’ve been different if the lightweight rivals hadn’t made a lot money.
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Dana White talks money
Dana White recently sat down for an interview with ‘The Longest Yard’ star Nick Turturro.
During their 15-minute conversation, the UFC CEO was asked if fighting Floyd Mayweather and getting so wealthy hurt Conor McGregor’s profession.
“Money ruins the whole lot,” White replied.
“So, when you get an excessive amount of money involved within the fight business…
“For those who have a look at Conor, Conor made a lot money, and that was it.
“Then Khabib made a s—load of cash, and that’s it.”
White believes making a lot money away allowed Khabib Nurmagomedov to bring his MMA profession to a premature end after the death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, in July 2020.
“We got a Muslim world champion, but the issue was that he went on a Muslim countries tour,” the UFC boss added.
“He hit Saudi, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and so they rained on him. He made a lot money that he didn’t must fight anymore.
“And his dad passed away, which I believe had lots to do with him not wanting to do it anymore.”
Conor McGregor’s comeback
Khabib Nurmagomedov has shown no real interest in making a comeback, despite desperate pleas from fans.
In contrast, Conor McGregor has been talking up his return to the Octagon since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021.
‘Notorious’ has been fully fit for years, but for one reason or one other, he’s still stuck on the sidelines.
Straight away, the 37-year-old is serving an 18-month ban for failing to supply anti-doping officials with accurate whereabouts information on three separate occasions.
McGregor will likely be eligible to fight again on March 20, 2026, two months before his planned comeback date.
It’s hoped that McGregor will face Michael Chandler on the UFC White House card next June.