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'Disgraceful': Fans fume over controversial Conor McGregor payday

UFC fans have been stunned at the sizeable difference between purses Conor McGregor and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone will receive ahead of their showdown.

McGregor, the former featherweight and lightweight champion who will fight for the first time in 15 months on Saturday when he meets Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena, was always going to pull in huge numbers for his octagon return.

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And the Nevada Athletic State Commission re-confirmed his position has the biggest drawcard in the UFC announcing ‘The Notorious’ would make $3 million for walking in to the octagon (prior to PPV sales).

But it was the purse of veteran Cerrone that left UFC fans perplexed.

Irishman Conor McGregor smiles and poses on the scale ahead of the Donald Cerrone fight.
Welterweight fighter Conor McGregor poses on the scale in Las Vegas. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

‘Cowboy’ is set to make $200,000 from the fight, with an added bonus of $200,000 if he wins.

Fans were left outraged that the popular UFC veteran would be earning so little in relative terms, before PPV sales, compared to McGregor.

Those numbers will be greatly inflated when PPV sales comes into account.

McGregor supports Aussie bushfire appeal

The UFC and McGregor have teamed up to help raise funds for the Australian bushfire relief appeal ahead of the main event on Sunday (AEST).

McGregor is making his return to the octagon against ‘Cowboy’ this weekend, but has also made time to appear in a video to help raise funds for those affected in Australia.

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McGregor urged fans to purchase the merchandise, which features a heart in the middle of the outline of Australia, with all profits going to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

UFC boss Dana White also took to social media to advertise the cause and urged supporters to get behind the initiative.