Dana White Says $100M Changed Conor McGregor Unlike Tom Brady After Floyd Mayweather Fight

Summary

In this engaging discussion, the speaker reflects on the impact of wealth on athletes like Conor McGregor, who rose from government assistance to becoming a champion in two weight classes. The conversation delves into McGregor's ability to capitalize on fame and personality, comparing him to iconic figures like Tom Brady and Muhammad Ali. The speaker also reveals plans for an unprecedented UFC event at the Sphere in September, emphasizing the importance of innovation and the influence of Mexican fighters in combat sports.

Takeaways

• 🥊 Conor McGregor's journey from government assistance to becoming a champion in two different weight classes is highlighted, emphasizing his transformation and success.
• 💰 The discussion questions whether accumulating wealth like $100 million changes a fighter's desire and motivation, using McGregor as an example.
• 🤔 It's acknowledged that money can affect fighters differently, with some like Tom Brady being able to maintain their drive despite earning millions.
• 🏆 McGregor is praised for his ability to capitalize on fame and personality outside the octagon, setting him apart from others in professional sports.
• 👏 The speaker credits McGregor for maintaining a good relationship with the UFC, showing his understanding of his value and the organization's role in his success.
• 📈 The speaker reflects on the difficulty of staying at the top in combat sports, especially when money becomes a factor, and how rare it is for fighters to manage fame and fortune well.
• 🍻 McGregor's ventures outside of fighting, such as his Irish whiskey and beer businesses, are mentioned, showing his diversification of income.
• 🎥 The script touches on McGregor's foray into the movie business, where he was reportedly the highest-paid newcomer, adding to his wealth and influence.
• 🗓️ The planning and significance of UFC events, including the unique challenge of hosting a fight at the Sphere, are discussed, highlighting the speaker's commitment to innovation.
• 🇲🇽 The upcoming UFC event in the Sphere is positioned as a tribute to Mexican fighters and combat history, with an emphasis on making it a one-of-a-kind experience.
• 🎉 The speaker expresses excitement for the Sphere event, detailing the investment and uniqueness of the venue, promising it to be an unparalleled live sporting event.

Q & A

How did Conor McGregor's financial situation change after becoming a successful fighter?

Conor McGregor went from being on government assistance to becoming a champion in two different weight classes, amassing significant wealth, and living a luxurious lifestyle.

What is the impact of significant wealth accumulation on a fighter's motivation and performance according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that it's challenging for fighters to maintain the same level of desire and motivation to train and compete once they've accumulated substantial wealth.

How does the speaker compare Tom Brady's approach to wealth and team building with that of other athletes?

Tom Brady is praised for striving to improve every year, not seeking the highest pay, and prioritizing team success over personal wealth, which is a unique approach compared to many athletes.

What is Conor McGregor's relationship with the UFC according to the speaker?

Conor McGregor has a positive relationship with the UFC, with no animosity or conflicts, understanding his value and the importance of the organization in his success.

How has Conor McGregor capitalized on his fame and personality outside of fighting?

Conor has capitalized on his fame and personality through ventures such as his Irish whiskey brand and a beer line, as well as a movie deal, making him unique in professional sports.

What is the significance of the '303 UFC' event mentioned in the script?

The '303 UFC' event is a significant international fight week that is part of Conor McGregor's brand and is a testament to his ability to capitalize on opportunities outside of fighting.

Why did the speaker decide to host an event at the Sphere?

The speaker was inspired by Tom Brady's suggestion to visit the Sphere and was impressed by its technology and potential for hosting unique events, leading to the decision to host a UFC event there.

How did the speaker's experience with MGM and Al Heyman influence the decision to host the event at the Sphere?

After Al Heyman took the speaker's preferred date for an event at MGM, the speaker decided to secure the Sphere as the new venue, turning a setback into an opportunity for a unique event.

What is the speaker's vision for the event at the Sphere in September?

The speaker envisions a one-of-a-kind event that combines a live sporting event with a theatrical experience, utilizing the Sphere's advanced technology and capacity for 20,000 attendees.

What is the speaker's opinion on the uniqueness and potential impact of the event at the Sphere?

The speaker believes the event will be a one-time, unparalleled experience that will never be replicated, setting a new standard for live sporting events with its technology and atmosphere.

How does the speaker describe the significance of the event for Mexican fighters and the Mexican community?

The speaker sees the event as a love letter to Mexico, celebrating the history of combat sports in the country and honoring Mexican fighters, making it a must-attend event for the Mexican community.

Outlines

00:00

🥊 Conor McGregor's Fight Career and Wealth Impact

The first paragraph discusses the journey of Conor McGregor, a former government assistant turned champion fighter in two different weight classes. It raises the question of whether McGregor's accumulated wealth has affected his fighting spirit and desire, comparing him to other athletes who continue to strive for greatness despite earning millions. The speaker credits McGregor for his ability to capitalize on his fame and personality outside the octagon, unlike most fighters who rely solely on their fighting income. It also touches on the difficulty of maintaining top performance in combat sports once significant wealth is involved.

05:00

🎥 The Influence of Tom Brady and the Sphere Event

The second paragraph delves into the mental warfare aspect of fighting, highlighting McGregor's ability to sell a fight and his unique gift of gab, drawing comparisons to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. It also discusses the speaker's experience with Tom Brady, who inspired the idea of hosting an event at the Sphere, a venue known for its advanced technology. The paragraph details the process of securing the Sphere for an upcoming UFC event, overcoming obstacles posed by other event organizers and the MGM. The speaker expresses excitement for the historic and technologically advanced event, emphasizing its uniqueness and the significance of celebrating Mexican fighting heritage.

10:03

🏟️ The Sphere: A Revolutionary Live Event Venue

The third paragraph focuses on the upcoming UFC event at the Sphere, a state-of-the-art arena with a capacity of 20,000 spectators. The speaker describes the event as a 'one-off' experience that will never be replicated, emphasizing the uniqueness of the venue and the technological advancements it offers. The paragraph also discusses the speaker's personal investment in the event, which has already reached $16 million, and the anticipation surrounding the fight card, which is still being finalized. The speaker's enthusiasm for being the first to host a live sporting event at the Sphere is palpable, and they express gratitude for the series of events that led to this opportunity.

Keywords

💡Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is a former professional mixed martial artist and boxer who is known for his success in two different weight classes within the UFC. In the video script, he is discussed as an example of a fighter who has transformed his career and personal life through his earnings and fame, becoming a champion and a brand outside the octagon. The speaker reflects on whether McGregor's accumulated wealth has affected his motivation and desire to fight.

💡Government assistance

Government assistance refers to financial aid provided by the state to individuals in need. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that Conor McGregor once relied on this form of support before his rise to fame and fortune in the fighting world, illustrating the stark contrast between his past and present financial status.

💡Champion

A champion is a person who has won a championship or is considered the best in a particular field. The term is used in the script to highlight McGregor's achievements in the UFC, where he has held titles in two different weight classes, showcasing his skill and dominance in the sport.

💡Desire

Desire in this context refers to the motivation or ambition that drives an individual to pursue their goals. The script discusses whether the substantial wealth accumulated by McGregor has diminished his desire to train and compete in the physically demanding sport of MMA, suggesting that financial success can sometimes alter an athlete's drive.

💡Tom Brady

Tom Brady is a renowned American football quarterback, often considered one of the greatest of all time. The script mentions Brady as an example of an athlete who consistently strives for improvement and has a unique approach to financial success, choosing to take less money to build a better team, which contrasts with the typical narrative of athletes prioritizing personal earnings.

💡EGO

EGO, in the context of the video, refers to the self-importance or pride that can interfere with an individual's pursuit of greatness. The speaker credits McGregor for not letting his ego get in the way of his success, emphasizing the importance of humility and teamwork in achieving long-term goals.

💡UFC

UFC stands for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is the premier mixed martial arts organization in the world. The script discusses the relationship between the UFC and Conor McGregor, highlighting the mutual respect and understanding of each other's value, which is crucial for the success of both parties.

💡Wealth

Wealth refers to an abundance of valuable resources or material possessions. The script explores the impact of wealth accumulation on individuals, particularly athletes like McGregor, and whether it changes their behavior, motivation, and lifestyle, as well as their ability to maintain their competitive edge.

💡Canelo Alvarez

Canelo Alvarez is a professional boxer who is mentioned in the script as an example of a fighter who has maintained a high level of performance over a long period despite his success and wealth. The speaker uses Canelo to illustrate the rarity of athletes who can sustain excellence while managing the pressures and changes that come with fame and fortune.

💡Mental Warfare

Mental warfare refers to the psychological tactics used to gain an advantage over an opponent, often through intimidation or manipulation. The script describes McGregor's ability to engage in mental warfare, drawing comparisons to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, emphasizing the importance of psychological strength in combat sports.

💡Sphere

In the script, the Sphere refers to a state-of-the-art venue that is being considered for hosting a future UFC event. The speaker discusses the technological advancements and unique features of the Sphere, expressing excitement about the prospect of staging a fight there and the challenges it presents.

Highlights

Conor McGregor's journey from government assistance to becoming a champion in two different weight classes.

The impact of wealth accumulation on a fighter's motivation and training regimen.

Tom Brady's unique approach to team building and financial sacrifices for long-term success.

Conor McGregor's ability to maintain a positive relationship with the UFC despite his fame and wealth.

The challenge of staying at the top in combat sports once significant wealth is achieved.

Conor McGregor's ventures outside of fighting, including his Irish whiskey and beer businesses.

The rarity of fighters like Canelo who maintain a high level of performance despite wealth and fame.

Conor McGregor's exceptional ability to sell a fight and his impact on the UFC similar to the legendary Muhammad Ali.

The significance of mental warfare and the psychological aspect of preparing for a fight.

The unique challenge of organizing a UFC event at the Sphere, a venue not traditionally used for combat sports.

The influence of Tom Brady on the decision to host a UFC event at the Sphere.

The strategic planning involved in choosing the location for UFC fights.

The competitive nature of securing dates and venues for major events, as illustrated by the incident with Al Haymon.

The vision for UFC 303 as a tribute to Mexican fighters and combat history, set to be an unprecedented event.

The financial investment and technological aspects of hosting UFC 303 at the Sphere.

The expected atmosphere and significance of UFC 303 for Mexican fans.

The capacity and seating arrangement of the Sphere for the UFC 303 event.

The excitement and anticipation for the UFC 303 event, expected to be a groundbreaking live sporting event.

Transcripts

let's talk about some of your fighters

let's start with Conor McGregor grew up

obviously at one point in time he was

getting government assistant turns

himself into the great fighter he's a

champion in two different weight classes

he fights Floy makes a ton of money and

we're going to get to this how and why

you signed off on that deal do you think

Connor can ever be what he wants was

having accumulated the wealth cuz it's

hard and you you I can appreciate Brady

I can appreciate guys that make millions

hundreds of million and still go and act

as if they're

broke did you think that 100 million

change Connor does he still have the

desire to go train and punch people in

the face and get kicked in the face like

he did when he was broke it's impossible

for that money not to affect you and

phase you um and and you see it that

that that is and you're so dead on one

of the things that makes Brady so

incredible and and and

and unique is that not only not only did

he every year strive to get better and

better he was never one of these guys

that tried to break the bank and and and

you know be the highest paid guy he

would actually take less money to build

a better team 100% I mean it it's it's

one of the things that now he's looked

at as the goat and that guy will

continue to print money for the rest of

his life absolutely um and and and to be

a young guy and not let his ego get in

the way o of of uh being great and and

and chasing greatness and understanding

that not one person does anything you

need a team around you and that is one

of the things that I will credit Connor

for too if you ever noticed there's

never

been animosity

or a beef between UFC and Conor McGregor

right Conor McGregor is brilliant in

that way too he knows what he brought to

the table and he knows his value and his

worth but he also knows that the

UFC is you know what I mean much like

Brady the thing in fighting the hard

part about in the Combat Sports World is

once you start to make that kind of

money and you want to say well it never

changed me it's impossible not to change

you it's impossible to go from you know

where you were to where you are today

financially

and not be changed but Connor's one of

the very unique

few that was able to

capitalize on his Fame his personality

and everything else outside of the

octagon and um this is a all

professional sports I mean you you

played at the highest level to stay on

top of your

game for many many years is very hard to

do do um especially once money becomes

involved well it's hard in this sport

because you can't duck and Dodge you

can't you're absolutely right you have a

team around you that where you might

slack a little bit other people can pick

up right and carrier you can't get

carried in this SP right see and see

when I look at Conor and you look at

what he is is craft Irish whiskey and I

think he has a beer now he goes from

wearing sandals to have mink slippers he

goes from living in very meager a house

to living in an ivory Tower and he

hadn't fought I'm looking at it last I

mean we last fought January

2020 what what do you expect when he

steps back into the ring he's at a place

in his life and in his career that you

know he shows up every once in a while

but when he does it's fun you know it's

going to be ELC people give a [ __ ]

people want to see it and you know you

you can't expect to always be you know

the the best in the world it's hard to

do and and you got to give it I I'll

give you an example people talk [ __ ] and

say whatever they want to say but look

at Canelo

Canelo is still the man yes you know

he's been for a long long time and he he

jumps in there and he does it and he

goes to work and it's hard to stay at

that level for a very long time ESP and

canelo's another guy I mean what's this

guy clipping 40 mil a fight something

like that you know what I mean not

including what he's making outside of

the of the ring so um um a very unique

few can do it how much do you think

because I do think he's a very talented

and gifted fighter but how much is it

his ability to sell a fight his Gift of

Gab is nothing like we've ever seen in

the UFC you have to go back to an Ali Al

somebody that could talk that get you

riled up I got to watch this guy fight

either he going to whip somebody or I

want somebody to whip him but I got to

see it I always hate to do this but it

it's it's a

fact Connor and

are here when you talk they're equal

when you talk about mental Warfare and

the ability to get in the guy's head and

the ability to you know um Talk up a

fight he's Ali level he really is and

um it's fun man Connor Connor it's fun

having Connor in this company right and

in this sport in general so um I don't

know what you asked me what' you ask me

how how did has the100 million fight to

your best guest well it's not just the

$100 million fight it's everything came

made I

mean heard too in the movie business he

just did a movie he was the highest paid

guy to ever walk into a movie for the

first time uh you know his liquor

business you and I hope we can do what

he did the lior business and the list

goes on and on and

on what this kid has achieved and

continues to achieve so

um fighting

got him into a position where he could

capitalize on all these different things

outside of fighting and and and very

few I'm trying to think of who else has

been able to do that everybody else has

had to make all their money in fighting

you know maybe they had a couple things

go on here and there nobody has done it

outside of the Octagon or ring at the

level that Conor McGregor has you're

absolutely right 303 UFC it's going to

be in the sphere right mm uh no 303 is

Conor McGregor International fight week

the sphere is in September how Dana how

do you go about choosing where fights

will take

place so normally what we'll do is we'll

look at a date a fight what's available

where we haven't been in a long time

this whole sphere thing goes back to Tom

Brady Tom Brady called me and said want

to go see you two together they're

playing at the sphere I said yeah I'm in

we go to the sphere I'm sitting in the

sphere and I'm looking around at how

amazing this place is and and the

technology and everything and I'm like I

have to do this I literally when when we

left I got on the phone and I called my

head of production Craig borsari and I

said you're going to you too next

weekend get the team together whoever

you want to bring and you're going to go

watch this concert we're doing this

sphere wow so why why would I do do this

to myself right it's

like this is the kind of things that I

love to do I love to be first okay I

love to push the limits right I love to

do things that people think aren't

possible because everybody's like how

could you pull off a sporting event in a

sphere it doesn't even make sense well

watch it in September I'm going to show

you how you do it right so um we're deep

into this thing now at the time I've

been with MGM forever yes well I don't

have the right to go to the

sphere they [ __ ] me okay they [ __ ]

me mgmd yeah and basically they knew

that I had this whole thing that I was

doing I just built a performance

Institute in Mexico right

um I I I'm doing Mexican Independence

Day and hats off to Al

Heyman we do the

event MGM got [ __ ] by boxing somehow

right I don't know the deal or how it

went down but they got [ __ ] okay so I

end up getting Mexican Independence Day

okay I go in put on a great event Al

Heyman I called my guy Monday and said

make sure we got this locked up next

year too that weekend Al

hayon slides in and steals the date from

me next year now hats off to you um my

guy calls on Monday and and they said no

we already gave it to Hal Al

Heyman I flipped the [ __ ] out flipped

out because you do all your fight at the

MGM gr for 20 something years yes

but these guys say we're sorry how can

we fix it I said give me the sphere I

want the sphere I want the sphere so

MGM gives me the date at the sphere lets

me go to the sphere to do this thing wow

right so the way that this thing played

out is crazy this was meant to happen

so September is going to be first of all

I I'm a big boxing fan and I've always

been a fan of Mexican Fighters and you

know some of the baddest dudes to ever

walk the face of this Earth have been

Mexicans when you when somebody tells

you you fight like a Mexican it is the

biggest compliment you could ever get

you fight in the fight business right

and this is my love letter to Mexico the

Mexican people and the history

of combat in Mexico and is going to be

done in the greatest Arena ever built

right with the best technology in the

world right now as far as Arena goes and

I'm already $16 million into this thing

this will never be done again this will

never be replicated anybody who comes in

after me at the sphere is

[ __ ]

[ __ ] telling you right now so this

this is going to be a one-off the UFC

will never go back to the sphere this is

a one of one one of one one and done and

it will be the greatest live sporting

event anybody has ever seen have you and

if you're Mexican you have to be there

you have to be there have you have you

already got a card in mind where we're

working on it and we're tweaking it

every day and yeah answer is

yes oh man I could just imagine who I'm

everybody wants to be on that card

everybody should want to be on that

believe me when I tell you everybody was

all fired up about UFC 300 this thing is

going to be you know and

again if you are Mexican and you are on

this it's just it's it's going to be

like nothing anybody's ever seen before

right for a live

event um I had Francis and not to

mention the fact when I talk about

always being first yes nothing has ever

been done live at at the sphere uh

broadcast right Broad live out of the

sphere so everything that I'm doing

there putting on a fight right um

programming the

sphere beaming it live to the rest of

the world right these are all first

nobody's ever done this how many how

many what what's the capacity of the

spear so 20,000 so yeah yeah there'll be

20,000 people in there that day wow is

there there's not a bad seat in the

house is it well it's different it's

Unique to say there's not a bad seat in

the house for the fight this isn't just

a fight this is a a live yeah because

you going to have theatrical event yeah

yeah you excited about this I'm beyond

excited about this so had you not

go that that obviously the YouTube was

the first to perform in there had you

not gone had that thought ever crossed

your mind prior to you going to see

YouTube the spear all these things that

happen Brady calling me and ask me if I

want to go to YouTube with them I I

wouldn't have gone and I wouldn't I

wouldn't have seen it and done it

um the

uh the thing that happened with MGM Al

hymon sliding in there and stealing my

date all the things that have aligned

for me to be at the sphere it was meant

to be it was meant to be this was

supposed to happen yeah and you glad say

thank you Al I appreciate that exactly

exact I ain't hating on him listen Al is

a is a sharp sharp dude yep want to join

Club sh Shay become an official member

by hitting that subscribe button where

you never know who's going to be joining

us for drinks and conversation don't be

late to the party because you know we

like to do something before to something