Conor McGregor usurps Lionel Messi as world's highest-paid athlete

*All figures are in Australian dollars unless otherwise stated

UFC superstar Conor McGregor has rocketed to the top of the Forbes rich list for sporting stars, with the Irishman the highest-paid athlete in 2020, according to the American business corporation.

The 32-year-old Irishman only fought once in 2020, earning around $28 million from his victory over Donald Cerrone in January.

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However, business ventures including the sale of his whiskey company saw McGregor rake in around $232 million.

Those figures helped the Irishman surpass last year's highest-paid athlete, Lionel Messi ($168m), who came in second on this year's list ahead of football rival, Cristiano Ronaldo ($155m).

McGregor was one of only four athletes to earn more than US$100 million in 2020 - with no female athletes in the top 10 - according to the Forbes annual list of sport's highest earners.

The bulk of the former plumber's pay packet came via his successful business activities, which included the sale of his Proper Twelve whiskey brand.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was ranked fourth on the list with $140 million.

The bulk of Prescott's earnings came via a $85 million signing bonus agreed when he inked a $207 million contract extension with the iconic NFL franchise.

LeBron James came in fifth with $124 million after a year that saw him lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals crown.

More than half of James' earnings came from endorsements and other off-the-court activities.

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian striker Neymar was sixth on the list with $122 million.

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer, meanwhile, continued to make the top 10 despite playing only one tournament in 2020.

The 20-time grand slam singles champion earned most of his $116 million from endorsements.

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton ($106 million), NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady ($98 million) and Brooklyn Nets NBA superstar Kevin Durant ($97 million) rounded out the top 10.

Forbes top-10 list

Conor - $232 Million

Messi - $168 Million

Ronaldo - $155 million

Dak - $140 million

Lebron - $124 million

Neymar - $122 million

Federer - $116 million

Hamilton - $106 million

Brady - $98 million

Durant - $97 million

with agencies

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