McGregor loses the fight, but wins with the sponsors

UFC star Connor McGregor has secured several key sponsors prior to his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov over the weekend.

Having not fought in the octagon since 2016, McGregor was touted as the underdog heading into the fight in Las Vegas, however, this didn’t stop the Irishman signing a new multi-year deal with sportswear brand Reebok and a one-year renewal with drinks brand Monster Energy.

McGregor went on to lose by submission in the fourth round, but the fight and McGregor’s return to the UFC are expected to be a huge commercial success nonetheless.  

The deal with Monster alone is reportedly worth seven-figures and described by Monster’s MMA sales chief, Hans Molenkamp as “one of the more lucrative deals the company has done with an athlete”.  

McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, said the Reebok deal is worth more than $5m.

Having recently signed an eight-fight contract with the UFC last month, it should give the fighting sensation plenty of time to promote his newly launched whiskey brand Proper No.12.