Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler has already produced a $20 million plus live gate. 

That is according to Dana White. McGregor faces Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas. McGregor has not been in the Octagon since losing to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021 after breaking his leg. That was McGregor’s third loss in his last four UFC bouts. That raises many questions over whether he is the same fighter. 

This has ramped up the hype. Based on McGregor’s prior gates, the latest news should not be a surprise. McGregor’s UFC 205 win over Eddie Alvarez in 2016 had a live gate of $17.7 million. A year later, McGregor’s bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov produced a gate of $17,188,895. The Chandler fight will eclipse that. 

“It’s already way over $20 million,” White said

White’s comments run counter to Stephen Espinoza’s words last year. During his time at Showtime, he mocked the UFC’s live gates. He referenced how Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia, Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo all produced over $20 million gates. Since the UFC had not done so, the figures were damning. 

“This event on Saturday night will generate a gate of over $20 million. That’s a rare feat in combat sports. This will be the third time in the last six months that we’ve done a gate of $20 million. To put that in perspective, UFC has never done a gate of $20 million in its entire history. We’ve done it three times since April,” Espinoza revealed 

Reaction

It easily will but hilarious seeing so many tickets still available for a mcgregor fight. Prices are insane

— jray (@podsox19) May 12, 2024

is that because the price is so high?

— FlokiOdinson (@OdinFlokison) May 12, 2024

Already broke the gate 2 months out is wild 🔥🔥🔥

— zachorama (@zachorama_) May 12, 2024

I don't like him or think he ever been that good. But man is literally the biggest star in the young history of this sport. Outside of Tyson and Floyd he is the biggest combat star I've seen in my life.

— Casey Carpenter (@CaseyCa20830884) May 12, 2024