After Box Office Success, What is Next for Conor McGregor?

When the McGregor-Chandler fight date is finally revealed, will it also come with an announcement that McGregor has extended his contract with the UFC?

Conor McGregor has gone off to Hollywood.

Who didn’t see that coming?

Now the question is, again, will he ever come back?

McGregor stars in the Road House remake. Cast as Knox, it was a role he was born to play. While the film is not expected to be nominated for any Academy Awards, it is an appropriate homage to the original, which was released in 1989. In terms of remakes, it was entertaining, especially the fight scenes. And McGregor is a wonderful as an absurdly over-the-top villain, and his performance should open the door to more on-screen roles.

Conor McGregor in Road House / Courtesy MGM

In typical McGregor fashion, the project is printing money. Road House broke Prime Video records over its first two weekends with more than 50 million worldwide viewers. Most films do not have an in-show integration with ESPN, but with the McGregor factor, this one did. Being on SportsCenter certainly helped the film’s release, and the UFC marketing machine was also involved, including a UFC 299 sponsorship.

The success of the film is undeniable, and it serves as a reminder that McGregor is too valuable for the UFC to let go. McGregor only has two fights remaining on his UFC contract. It will be a shock if, when the fight date for his bout against Michael Chandler is announced, it does not also come attached to news of McGregor signing a new deal extending his reign with the company.

Even when he is not fighting, McGregor remains a great asset for the UFC. In spite of all the controversy, McGregor is a walking advertisement for the UFC. He is the most recognizable fighter in the sport, and UFC CEO Dana White–and parent-company CEO Ari Emanuel–understand that McGregor means too much for the organization to ever risk him reaching free agency.

Of course, McGregor knows his value, too. Until then, we wait–for a fight announcement, and Chandler waits to resume his career, while the power brokers in the UFC wait for McGregor to sign a new deal.

Again, even if he is not fighting, McGregor still carries outrageous value. The commercial success of Road House is now the latest piece of evidence buttressing that claim.

But there is good news. The original Road House film is also available on Prime (Terry Funk fans rejoice). So at least there is something entertaining to watch as we wait for McGregor’s next move.