You know what? If he's really retiring, Conor may have had THE most sucessful mma career ever

[Kick Strickland]

Edit: I'm not saying Conor was the best fighter ever. I'm saying he went from poor unknown to rich, famous and face of the sport, and got out before taking much physical damage. He will still have a functioning noodle when he's old, and maybe (?) still have some money by then.

It sucks for fans because the guy's entertaining. But you now what? Good for him!

Conor had a total of 8 UFC fights. In those few 8 fights, he went from an unknown to being the face of the UFC (which meant he was the face of the entire sport, really). He won a belt. Embarrassed a legend that had gone 10 years undefeated. Became a multi- millionaire. And got the fuck out before he ever took any real physical damage.

THAT is the smartest way to approach this sport, imo. No brain damage for that guy. Just millions and millions of dollars to play around with. And fame that will last several more years, which he could use to springboard into several different avenues (books, commentator gig, chain of gyms...whatever).

It's impressive when you think about it.

 

[UL]

Nah

That's CM PUNK

 

[Mau]

Ronda.

 

[Greedy Dana]

It would've been more impressive if he won at 200 then retired, but yeah it was probably the most successful.
What a great line to end your career on, "Thanks for the cheese."

 

[Brock Tober]

Brocky.

 

[raconnor]

with all the money he was spending, there must have been brain damage involved. unless he changes his habits the 2-3 million he has left won't last long

 

[BostonToughGuy]

I'd say that GSP is probably still #1, although he definitely took some head trauma over the years.

 

[Son of Werdum]

Brock. Got a title shot after his 3rd fight, 1-1 in the UFC.

 

[Based God]

Nah b, there's a reason it's called Anderson Silva Money

 

[Sgt Smith]

Nah

That's CM PUNK

Damn right. That guy has never lost a fight and taken zero damage in his career.

 

[Kick Strickland]

with all the money he was spending, there must have been brain damage involved. unless he changes his habits the 2-3 million he has left won't last long

Lol yeah I wasn't gonna bring that up but it's crossed my mind. That motherfucker is buying STUPID shit like big ass watches and shit with his money. Not a good sign. But maybe he'll wise up.

 

[Maroli]

If 'most successful mma career ever' is defined by someone who generated a lot of buzz and fought top-notch fighters for 3 fights, one of which he lost...then yes, he had the most successful mma career ever.

but by any sane person's measure, there are at least half a dozen current fighters today that can lay claim to having a better MMA career.


I think Conor is very talented and easily an ATG if he continued fighting, though

 

[The guest]

Well I would expect that last fight left an awful taste in Conor's mouth. I think he knew he was going to lose again. So he retires for a while and bypasses Nate. Then he can come back with an instant title shot at LW probably. There's still alot of money to be made here.

But never defending his title is an unbelievable fail. Never before in the history of the divisional belts in the promotion has that happened. Conor just took over from Esparza as the most useless champ in the history of the promotion. She at least tried to defend her belt.

I guess there can be more than one way of looking at success.

 

[BostonToughGuy]

Lol yeah I wasn't gonna bring that up but it's crossed my mind. That motherfucker is buying STUPID shit like big ass watches and shit with his money. Not a good sign. But maybe he'll wise up.

Considering the fact that he just walked away from millions of dollars, I think it's pretty safe to say that he's far from a financial genius.

 

[coq]

His money won't last and neither will his retirement.

 

[Kick Strickland]

I'd say that GSP is probably still #1, although he definitely took some head trauma over the years.

GSP had a terrific career. But took WAAAAAY more damage to his noodle than Conor did. GSP even said he's having head issues. Ronda took more damage than Conor did as well. So did Brock. Nate embarrassed Conor but he didn't put the kind of beating on him that would fuck him up later in life or anything.

Conor getting out before taking much brain damage, while being rich, is why I say he's had the most successful career. Plus the whole belt and Aldo thing, but mostly it's because the guy will probably still have a functioning brain (and maybe some money left?) when he's old.

 

[Paradigm]

TS...you've got a great point when you look at it that way (the money earned to brain damage ratio). You'll get shit on here for your point though.

with all the money he was spending, there must have been brain damage involved. unless he changes his habits the 2-3 million he has left won't last long

Are you his accountant? How do you know how much he spent?

You can rent a Bentley for like $500 a day. Even if Conor rented one every day of the year, thats like $180k more or less (which would be stupid, but I digress). You could lease one for like $30,000 a year. That's not THAT much for a guy asking for a guy who made millions this year.

http://www.autoexoticrental.com/rent-bentley

http://www.bentleyboston.com/new-car-specials.htm

Bottom line, you have no idea how much his expenses are or how smart his investments were or were not...

Considering the fact that he just walked away from millions of dollars, I think it's pretty safe to say that he's far from a financial genius.

Not if he got brain damage or killed in that next fight. But I guess we'll never know...

 

[Kick Strickland]

Considering the fact that he just walked away from millions of dollars, I think it's pretty safe to say that he's far from a financial genius.

And if he decides to ever unretire (which come on, that's pretty much a given) he'll come back to even MORE millions and even MORE viewers. I'd say that's pretty smart.

 

[BostonToughGuy]

GSP had a terrific career. But took WAAAAAY more damage to his noodle than Conor did. GSP even said he's having head issues. Ronda took more damage than Conor did as well. So did Brock. Nate embarrassed Conor but he didn't put the kind of beating on him that would fuck him up later in life or anything.

Conor getting out before taking much brain damage, while being rich, is why I say he's had the most successful career. Plus the whole belt and Aldo thing, but mostly it's because the guy will probably still have a functioning brain (and maybe some money left?) when he's old.

That's a good point. God only knows what GSP will be like when he hits his 50s and 60s.

 

[BostonToughGuy]

And if he decides to ever unretire (which come on, that's pretty much a given) he'll come back to even MORE millions and even MORE viewers. I'd say that's pretty smart.

Weren't people saying the same thing about Fedor back in the day?