Dana White Once Rejected Conor McGregor's Challenge To Bet $43.4 Billion, Otherwise He Loses Big

Dana White (Instagram @MMarstonSport)

JAKARTA - There is an interesting story from the UFC. Dana White reveals she once rejected a betting challenge from Conor McGregor. The Notorious bet of 3 million dollars (Rp43.4 billion) for himself in a fight against Chad Mendes.

McGregor has enjoyed the most successful UFC career of all time since appearing in 2013. He became the first fighter in history to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously.

On this date in 2013, @TheNotoriousMMA announced his arrival 🇮🇪A thread with moments from his unforgettable UFC debut 👇 pic.twitter.com/2yK7vxaAaQ

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 6, 2021

Jose Aldo's 13-second KNOCKOUT victory in 2015 made him a superstar. However, before that decisive victory, he must first pass Chad Mendes.

Ahead of the fight against Mendes, McGregor was confident he would win. He then offered White a bet.

"You want to know how confident this kid is? I can't even believe I'm going to say this, but, he told Lorenzo and me the other day 'I'll bet 3 million U.S. dollars, I dropped him in the second round,' the UFC President told the Jim Rome Show.

"I like to bet, I don't know if I'm willing to take that bet. When I tell you how very confident this man is in himself, it's exciting.

"Rang out through the foggy dew..." 🎶4 years on from Conor McGregor beating Chad Mendes at UFC 189 and his walkout with Sinead O'Connor still gives us goosebumps 🙏pic.twitter.com/9SHCjhRGpN

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) July 11, 2019

"He is a very unique person, interesting to listen to. Fun to listen to, and fun to watch. ”

White's decision to turn down a bet with McGregor was spot on because Notorious did drop Mendes in two rounds.

He then went on to stop Aldo, who was universally recognized as the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet at the time, in one of the most astonishing UFC fights ever.

The victory propelled him to the top of the sport. Only Nate Diaz made him fall back to earth when he forced him to give up in an unforgettable clash at UFC 196.

McGregor took revenge five months later at UFC 202, before becoming a two-weight champion by knocking out Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 three months later.