Conor McGregor Tops Forbes' List As The World's Highest-Paid Athlete

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Former two-weight UFC champion, 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor has topped the list of Forbes' highest-paid athlete over the last year, marking the first time the Dubliner has featured as high as #1 on the list. 

The Crumlin native, who is a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the UFC's banner, is scheduled to return to the Octagon on July 10th. coming at UFC 264 -- drawing former interim 155lbs titleholder, Dustin Poirier in a trilogy rubber match at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 32-year-old took main event status at UFC 254 in January of this year at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE -- ultimately dropping an eventual second round knockout defeat to Poirier. 

Topping the Forbes' list of the Top 10 highest-paid athletes for the last twelve months, McGregor reportedly took in a whopping $180 million, largely down to his hugely successful Irish whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve. In no surprise, McGregor is the sole mixed martial artist to feature on the top-ten list. 

In second place behind McGregor, lodging a cool $130 million is FC Barcelona forward and Argentine international, Lionel Messi. The 33-year-old has scored the Ballon d'Or award on a staggering six separate occasions.

Behind Messi in third place is a five-time Ballon d'Or victor; Juventus striker, Cristiano Ronaldo who turned in a cool $120 million to scoop a spot in the list's top three. 

Coming in at #4 on the list is Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dank Prescott who netted an estimated $107.5 million. The 27-year-old Louisianan has compiled 17,634 passing yards in the NFL as of 2020.

At #5 on the list of the highest-paid athletes for the last twelve months, LA Lakers feature, LeBron James. The 36-year-old turned in a reported $96.5 million last year and is set to play a leading role in the July release of Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Just behind James at #6 is Paris Saint Germain forward and Brazil international, Neymar who lodged a reported #96 million -- $76 million of which was reportedly earned with his on-field exploits, which included a UEFA Champions League final appearance opposite eventual victors, Bayern Munich. 

Despite a sidelining spanning the majority of last year, tennis ace, Roger Federer netted a cool $90 million through his brand and endorsement deals, which include Rolex, Uniqlo, and Credit Suisse. 

At #8 on the list, we have Mercedes Formula One driver and seven-time Formula One World Drivers' Championship victor, Lewis Hamilton. Netting a reported $82 million, Hamilton took that world drivers' championship in each of the past four consecutive seasons. 

Coming in at #9, veteran Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, Tom Brady comes in as the second NFL standout on the list -- scoring an estimated $76 million. 

Rounding out the top-ten list is NBA small forward, Kevin Durant who plys his trade with the Brooklyn Nets. For his on-court exploits, Durant is reported to have earned $31 million, as well as a further $44 million off court.