Daniel Cormier amazed by the staggering pay-per-view numbers achieved by Conor McGregor
Daniel Cormier Left Stunned by Conor McGregor’s Unmatched Pay-Per-View Success
In the world of mixed martial arts, few things turn heads as much as jaw-dropping statistics. This week, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier found himself in disbelief when confronted with just how big an impact Conor McGregor has had on UFC pay-per-view (PPV) sales.
The Incredible Numbers Behind the Notorious
Speaking during UFC 318 fight week in Louisiana, where he was working as part of the commentary team, Cormier was told that McGregor, despite not competing in over four years, once put together a streak of eight consecutive events surpassing one million PPV buys each. In a sport where even getting close to one million buys can be considered a massive success, this streak is almost unimaginable.
Visibly surprised, Cormier reacted, “He had eight-straight million buy pay-per-views? Wow. Conor McGregor made some money… Me and Jon Jones couldn’t even get to a million. He did eight in a row?” At that point, it became clear just how rarefied McGregor’s star power was, even among elite fighters.
What Sets McGregor Apart?
As a former two-division champion, both in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, McGregor’s rise came with a blend of knockout power, colorful personality, and impeccable timing.
“The Notorious” achieved legendary status when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 to become the first fighter to hold championships in two divisions simultaneously, a feat later repeated by Cormier himself in 2018.
Industry insiders say McGregor’s ability to cross over into pop culture and draw non-MMA fans to the sport was pivotal. “Fights involving McGregor always had that special event feel—the kind you just didn’t want to miss,” explained an MMA analyst.
Expert Opinions and Diverse Perspectives
While admirers like Cormier acknowledge McGregor’s business and promotional genius, others point out how rare this kind of success is, regardless of fighting ability. “Many champions have come and gone, but the combination of charisma, rivalry, and timing with McGregor is unprecedented,” said a UFC official.
Yet, his sales power was never just about the action in the cage. The narratives built around each fight, from feuds with rivals like Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov to his run-ins with the law, kept McGregor constantly in the headlines, for better or worse.
What’s Next for McGregor and the Sport?
McGregor’s last fight dates back more than four years, with his most recent appearance ending in a grisly ankle injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Though a comeback was discussed for last summer, plans were derailed by injury setbacks. Outside the cage, controversies have started to overshadow his fighting achievements.
On the other hand, as discussed by members of the MMA community, the blueprint McGregor set for drawing massive audiences has influenced how new stars are promoted and how the UFC approaches event marketing.
As Daniel Cormier learned first-hand this week, the impact of McGregor’s PPV dominance still echoes—setting a standard that may not be matched anytime soon, and redefining what it means to be a superstar in MMA.
Source: www.si.com