Conor McGregor suffers huge blow as he PLUMMETS from first to outside the top ten in Forbes highest paid athlete list

CONOR McGREGOR has suffered a major blow after falling out of the top ten highest paid athletes in the world.

The Irish UFC star was last year crowned TOP of Forbes' annual earning list.

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However as he continues to rehab from a broken leg suffered last year, McGregor has seen his stock tumble down the rankings.

The former two weight world champion beat superstars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to top billing after earning €148 million in the previous year.

The Notorious was propelled up the rankings after the sale of his whiskey Proper 12 in a €497 million deal.

But having not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier last summer he has fallen down the rankings again with Messi taking top spot.

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Messi topped the list having earned €124 million with NBA legend LeBron James coming 2nd on €115 million and Ronaldo third with €110 million.

The only fighter who makes the top ten is Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez who comes in at number eight after earning €76 million.

McGregor was not shy about celebrating his top ranking in last year's list as he had the Forbes magazine cover printed onto a CAKE.

He posted on Instagram: "Baby we did it!! Uimhir a Haon. Thank you Forbes for recognizing my role as an entrepreneur!

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"It was a dream to lead this list with so many successful athletes! Onwards and upwards we go."

However his repeated failures in the Octagon have contributed to him plummeting in the rankings with just one UFC victory in the last SIX YEARS.

McGregor was knocked out by Poirier last January before suffering the broken leg that has put him on the sideline for almost a year in the trilogy fight.

The Dubliner though insists his wealth is not affecting his career and vowed to come back stronger than ever.

He said: "I will no have issue returning from this injury.

"Not an iota of issue. I’ve already prepared for a fight under these exact conditions.

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"Here is a snap from my last camp. At @McGregorFast HQ with team. Shin pad taped on to the left leg due to stress fractures / trauma.

"They say time and time again that my accumulated wealth has quelled my fire. They are wrong."