Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz: McGregor to earn $3m for UFC 202 appearance to beat Brock Lesnar record

McGregor will earn $1m more than Diaz despite losing their first match at UFC 196

Conor McGregor will earn $4m for his appearance at UFC 202 (Getty)

Conor McGregor will earn a UFC record $3m [£2.3m] from his rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 202, $1m more than what the American will take home despite winning their first bout five months ago at UFC 196.

The Nevada Athletic Commission [NAC] released the information at the start of UFC 202 in Las Vegas to confirm that neither will receive a win bonus. However, it did confirm that McGregor will set a new record purse regardless of the outcome of the fight, given his fee will surpass the previous highest payment of $2.5m, which was paid to former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar for his return at UFC 200 last month.

McGregor’s purse means that he nearly triples the fight fee that he received at UFC 196, despite submitting to Diaz after he found himself locked in a rear naked chokehold, dealing the Irishman his first defeat inside the Octagon and his third career MMA loss.

Having become the first fighter to receive more than $1m for a UFC fight at UFC 196, the inflated fee represents McGregor’s worldwide appeal and attraction that reaps rewards for the UFC.

Both fighters are expected to make in excess of $10m once pay-per-view sales and taken into account, and the figures dwarf those being earned by the rest of the card.

Anthony Johnson, who features in the co-main event against Glover Teixeira, is set to earn a $135,000 purse and can double the fee with victory, while Teixeira will make $65,000 with another $65,000 available in a win bonus.

Donald Cerrone is also on the undercard, and will receive $85,000 to show with another $85,000 in win bonus should he beat Rick Story.