“Conor McGregor has been an incredible partner to work with,” Dana White recently said about the Irishman in an interview with Lex Fridman. And why not? The former double champ was the catalyst that helped his fellow Irish fighters famously take over UFC Dublin back in 2014. It was the beginning of what went on to become the promotion’s greatest discovery. Moreover, McGregor famously claimed that he would “drag the UFC back to Ireland” after the company’s initial outing in the country with UFC 93.

It is safe to say that the future juggernaut fought hard on the regional circuit to convince the Fertitta brothers to bring him into the UFC. Sealing the deal took some effort, but once ‘The Notorious’ stepped into the Octagon, he made history. He never let White down! During his meteoric rise, McGregor became the first fighter to hold two division titles simultaneously, delivered record-breaking pay-per-view sales, and helped propel the UFC—and MMA itself—into global fame at a level previously reserved only for WWE.

However, Conor McGregor has been out of action since 2021, with no confirmed return despite having two fights left on his UFC contract. And his focus appears to have shifted from competing to promoting fights. Since last year, the Irishman has been actively involved with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship as a co-owner, using his “needle-moving” power to expand the promotion internationally. Under his influence, BKFC has taken its events to Spain and Marbella, with Italy set to host a show in May.

But before that, Dubai is the next stop, with BKFC set to make its debut there this April. Over the next two days, Dubai’s Tennis Stadium will transform into the epicenter of bare-knuckle action, hosting back-to-back BKFC events with stacked fight cards. As co-owner, Conor McGregor is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the shows are nothing short of spectacular.  Ahead of the opening night, the Irishman sat down with BKFC News for a brief chat, sharing insights on what he learned from Dana White about delivering truly “action-packed and energetic,” events. Ones that can compared to the aforementioned UFC Dublin event!

McGregor said, “It’s about the live action. I’m a protege under the regime with Dana White, and we built the UFC up into the largest sports franchise on planet Earth. So I’m very well-versed in what it takes—what it takes for an organization to be at the pinnacle. And what it takes is exciting live events, and there is no more exciting event. Live action, fast-paced—Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. People are here, jam-packed, from start to finish. It’s not—we don’t drag it on.”

And Conor McGregor’s not wrong. Dana White’s savvy business instincts are impossible to ignore. From rescuing a debt-stricken UFC to turning it into a global multi-billion-dollar empire, his transformation of the sport has been nothing short of legendary. His sharp vision has even caught the attention of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who once called him an “amazing entrepreneur”. And recently, Zuckerberg even appointed White to his company’s board.

That level of respect says it all! Earlier this year, Dana White graced the cover of Forbes, being recognized as a board member for not one, but two massive multi-billion-dollar companies. With that kind of legacy behind him, it’s no surprise Conor McGregor shows nothing but admiration for the man who helped shape his rise.

Conor McGregor applauds Dana White’s latest milestone as Forbes cover star

Just last month, Dana White etched his name into history by gracing the cover of Forbes magazine—a major nod to his incredible business acumen and his prestigious roles on the boards of both Meta and the UFC. And the man who seemed the proudest of this achievement? None other than Conor McGregor—the very fighter whose rise to superstardom might never have happened if white hadn’t bet big on him. It was White who, early on, saw something special in the Irishman, plucking him from the European fight scene and bringing him into the UFC.

From there, what followed was nothing short of iconic—a meteoric rise filled with highlight-reel moments, record-breaking feats, and unforgettable history. Perhaps most notably, that blockbuster boxing match with Floyd Mayweather? It would’ve remained a fantasy if not for White’s willingness to take a leap. After all, Dana White has long been skeptical about cross-promotional fights. Case in point: Anderson Silva, who spent years hoping to face Roy Jones Jr., only to have the door firmly shut.

But with Conor McGregor, it was different. Dana White didn’t hesitate and he made it happen. And that single move resulted in one of the biggest paydays in combat sports history. A payday that helped Conor top Forbes’ Highest-Paid Athletes list in 2020—beating global titans like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. So Dana White landed on the Forbes cover himself, and the Irishman made sure to show love. Taking to Instagram, he gave his longtime boss a shoutout on his story: “@danawhite congrats on the @forbes cover. A man who helped me top the Forbes Highest Paid Athlete list!”

Now, here’s the million-dollar question—what lies ahead for Conor McGregor? After he officially hangs up his gloves, could he build a business empire that rivals—or even surpasses—Dana White’s legacy? Share your thoughts below.