LAS VEGAS – Conor McGregor has built a reputation as being fighter of great monetary value.
At UFC 246, Donald Cerrone will stand opposite McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) and will almost certainly take home an elevated payday as a result.
Elevated opponent pay led McGregor to famously coin the term “red panty night” in late 2015. The phrase pokes fun at the idea fighting McGregor is similar to winning a sweepstakes. In other words, it’s a celebratory affair.
But according to Cerrone (36-13 MMA, 23-10 UFC), “red panty night” may not be what everyone thinks it is. When he spoke to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, “Cowboy” cleared the air and indicated many of the figures being rumored for his UFC 246 payday aren’t accurate.
“Somewhere in the business is a liar, because the money you guys show me making is not the money I’m making,” Cerrone told MMA Junkie. “I need to find that person and be like, ‘Where’d you get those numbers? I want them.’”
McGregor recently claimed he’ll make around $80 million from his fight against “Cowboy.” When asked his thoughts on his upcoming opponent’s apparent payday, Cerrone wasn’t bitter.
In fact, Cerrone was congratulatory and poked fun at the situation by asking McGregor for a piece of the pie.
“Hey man, (expletive) good for you,” Cerrone said. “Good for you. If you want to kick ‘Cowboy’ a little bit of that, a percentage would be even cooler. Like I said, if that’s a real number? (Expletive) right on, man.
“That means I did something right and he did something right and we’re selling a hell of a fight. Right on, man. Good for you. Throw ‘Cowboy’ a little bit of that grease when you’re done.”
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
Donald Cerrone on his UFC 246 payday: 'Somewhere in this business is a liar'