Question McGregor's Rank As World's Highest Paid Athlete Joe Rogan: The Whiskey Business Counts?

JAKARTA - Joe Rogan questioned Conor McGregor's ranking as the world's highest-paid athlete on the latest episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

McGregor was named the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes earlier this year, ahead of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and NFL star Dak Prescott.

While Messi, Ronaldo and Prescott all make the bulk of their income on the pitch, McGregor makes nearly 90 percent of his fortune from his off-field efforts.

These include sales of his Proper No 12 whiskey brand, which reportedly fetched $900 million, as well as brand endorsement deals with fantasy sports company DraftKings and lifestyle brand Roots of Fight.

Since receiving the award, McGregor has told Forbes how proud he is of the achievement.

"I put my heart and soul into it, and it paid off," the Irishman explained.

“I know a lot of the athletes on this list, you know, they make a lot from their sport, so much from their support.

"I'm probably the opposite. I'm a bully."

However, one person who is less convinced of McGregor's achievements is Joe Rogan.

On a recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, via The Mirror, the UFC commentator and comedian made it clear that while he respects McGregor's enormous earnings, he is unsure about the legitimacy of his position in the top rankings.

“Yes, but does it count? Because Conor gets the highest pay because he makes a lot of money on whiskey.

"Well, I mean, he's the highest paid athlete."

So far, McGregor has not responded to Rogan.