Forbes highest-paid athlete: Conor McGregor tops list, leaves behind Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Conor McGregor - for the first time - has emerged as the world's highest-paid athlete in 2020, according to Forbes.

What is more interesting is that McGregor who topped the coveted Forbes list by raking in around 180 million dollars with earnings, surpassed the likes of Lionel Messi – $130 million – to Cristiano Ronaldo – $120 million; LeBron James – $96.5 million – to Roger Federer – $90 million – in the Forbes rich athletes list.

The world's highest-paid athletes revealed: https://t.co/9bdWdBdHjn pic.twitter.com/7LEeG6OOnT

— Forbes (@Forbes) May 12, 2021

The renowned mixed martial arts superstar had only fought once in 2020 and earned around $22 million from his victory over Donald Cerrone in January.

The bulk of McGregor's pay packet, which is an estimated $158 million, came via his business activities, which include the sale of his Proper Twelve whiskey brand. McGregor was one of the only four athletes to earn more than $100 million in 2020, according to the Forbes annual list of sport's highest earners.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi was second on the list with $130 million in earnings, followed by Juventus idol Cristiano Ronaldo with $120 million.

This is also Mystic Mac's second appearance in Forbes' Top 10 list. He had earlier featured on the fourth spot in 2018 after his fight against Floyd Mayweather.

Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Brazilian striker Neymar was sixth on the list with $95 million. Formula One star Lewis Hamilton – $82 million, NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady – $76 million – and NBA Brooklyn Nets ace Kevin Durant – $75 million – rounded out the top 10.