Despite recent controversies, an alleged $250 million payout against Logan Paul could be the final nail in the coffin for Conor McGregor, warns MMA fighter-turned-pundit Brendan Schaub.

McGregor looks to recoup after being found liable for 𝑠e𝑥ual assault in an Irish High Court civil case in November 2024. Any MMA comeback plans have been thrown out the window as McGregor now targets an exhibition boxing match against Logan Paul in India in late 2025.

McGregor has teased a potential $250 million purse for each fighter, but it could be do-or-die for the Irish mega-star as he puts his personal brand on the line.

Brendan Schaub outlines ‘worst-case scenario’ for Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul

Former UFC heavyweight Schaub believes a loss to Logan Paul would be devastating to UFC and Conor McGregor fans and would be the killing blow in the Irishman’s fall from grace.

“If he [McGregor] gets starched [by Logan Paul], it’s gonna destroy his brand,” Schaub remarked on his YouTube channel. “After all these allegations, he hasn’t fought in forever, hasn’t won in a hot f****** second, and finally comes back — and let’s say he looks bad! Like out of shape, his movement’s off, people are gonna be like, ‘What the f***? I paid for this and you get starched by Logan Paul?“That would be the worst-case scenario if A. You’re a UFC fan, and B. You’re a Conor McGregor fan.”

Will Conor McGregor return to the UFC?

Much of 2024 was spent speculating on McGregor’s comeback plans for UFC 303, though nothing has come to fruition since McGregor’s toe injury pulled him from the event. Despite this, the UFC should continue to profit from the McGregor brand, even if his next move is to box Logan Paul on the other side of the world.

McGregor still has several fights on his UFC contract, and as with his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, the UFC will be looking to take a cut of his purse in order to fight elsewhere.

During the build-up to the McGregor-Mayweather fight being booked, promotor Bob Arum — who helped negotiate the event — alleged that the UFC wanted up to 50 percent of McGregor’s purse.

“I think the only impediment [with the fight going ahead] is the UFC,” Arum told Fight Hub TV. “Because the UFC doesn’t treat fighters the same way that boxing promotors do. In other words UFC fighters get so much less than boxers do. They proposed a deal to Conor that on his share of the purse they take 50 percent.”

It is safe to say that the UFC will ensure their share of the profits whether McGregor steps into the Octagon in 2025 or not.