Conor McGregor may be facing a delay in his octagon return, but he is using the time to expand his business. After making waves with his alcohol brand, a pain relief brand, getting ownership of a pub in Dublin, and combat fighting outfit BKFC, McGregor has now decided to embark into a rather unknown territory but one with a lot of potential.

On October 10, the Dubliner introduced his snack brand, named ‘KUDO Protein Popcorn’. He wrote on Instagram, “I am proud to announce my latest venture today, KUDO Protein Popcorn – the Mac’s go-to snack! Met with the Worlds top retailers today, and they’re pumped to bring this protein-packed popcorn to the masses. High protein, low carb – snack like a champ champ.”

The Irishman once again took to Instagram and shared a story where he announced that his popcorn brand was finally available for fans in certain retail shops. “Owner/founder of the most innovative and tastiest popcorn product on the market today! KUDO Protein Popcorn,” wrote Conor McGregor.

Interesting Fact: In January, the UFC and KUDO snacks announced a multiyear, global expansion of their partnership. KUDO Snacks was named the exclusive ‘Official Global Popcorn of UFC’.

Did you know that McGregor isn’t the only big name who has entered the protein and supplements industry? A couple of years ago, Joe Rogan invested in Onnit—a supplement and nutrition brand. Similarly, Conor McGregor’s biggest UFC rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov, had introduced Fitroo—a ready-to-eat breakfast brand with an emphasis on nutrition.

But hey, if you think this is Conor McGregor’s only rodeo in the industry, then you would be wrong. In early October, he launched a new energy drink line in association with the health and fitness supplement brand, ‘Bucked Up’. It is currently available in Irish apple flavor and is called the ‘Conor McGregor Notorious Buck Energy Drink’.

“I don’t partner with just anyone,” ‘The Notorious’ said, who was previously an ambassador for Monster Energy. “Bucked Up is the real deal—no nonsense, no shortcuts, just straight power and performance, exactly how I operate. They’ve got that same unstoppable drive, that hunger to be the best.”

“At Bucked Up, we don’t just aim to be the best—we aim to dominate. That’s why bringing Conor McGregor on board was a no-brainer,” Bucked Up CEO and Co-founder Ryan Gardner stated. “Conor’s not just a fighter; he’s a force of nature. His relentless pursuit of greatness, his unapologetic confidence, and his refusal to back down from anyone or anything are the exact qualities that define Bucked Up.”

But coming back to McGregor’s protein popcorn brand, let us look at how much potential it has.

Conor McGregor: How big is the industry that the UFC star entered?

If we take a look at a 2023 report from ‘The Brainy Insights’, the global market value for protein supplement products stood at a whopping $24 billion. Moreover, studies claim that this value could double at a rapid pace because of high demand. It is estimated that the market size value in 2032 will hit $47.21 billion.

Protein products are in high demand owing to the additional benefits they offer. The macronutrient not only minimizes the loss of muscle mass but also increases the leanness of the muscles and is essential for losing and even maintaining weight.

Predictions regarding this industry include a compound annual growth of 7 percent, but where do you think will this industry make the most impact? Well, if you have guessed it correctly, it’s going to be North America, which will become the biggest market in the years to come, especially due to the growth and emergence of the fitness industry.

When it comes to Conor McGregor’s product, it has certain features that may catch the attention of fitness enthusiasts, such as KUDO popcorn being gluten-free, keto-friendly, and not containing any form of artificial flavors. It is safe to say that Conor McGregor is entering into a valuable industry and it is only a matter of time before we see how his popcorn endeavor turns out in the months and years to come.

What are your views on McGregor’s business side of things? Tell us in the comment section!