Guy Smarts: Conor McGregor says a "wealth belly" is the new six-pack—Here's why we aren't buying it

Don't expect the MMA champ to start fighting as a heavyweight anytime soon, either.

Despite losing to Floyd Mayweather in their vaunted mega-bout on August 26, MMA lightweight champion Conor McGregor was still able to reap some serious financial rewards from the fight, and has been lavishly celebrating his success ever since.

The Irish fighter has been regularly posting on his Instagram in the wake of his boxing debut, and he's clearly been resting and relaxing in the lap of luxury after taking his licks against Mayweather.

 

Yes, life has been good for McGregor, who reportedly pulled in tens of millions of dollars from the bout, and possibly as much as $100 million. But where does all that money go when you've cashed the check? For McGregor, it apparently travels straight to his waistline.

 

"You need to get yourself a wealth belly, kid. It’s the new six pack,” he said in the caption of a recent photo of himself comfortably tucked away in a food coma.

Though McGregor's post was clearly tongue-in-cheek, it nonetheless inspired one post touting his "wealth belly" as a new "dad bod" for the monied class. According to the article, a bit of paunch is now fashionable, so long as you've got the wallet to back it up. The piece also cites Leonardo DiCaprio, Seth Rogen, and Chris Pratt as celebrities who have also enjoyed, or are currently enjoying, their own "wealth bellies."

It's worth noting that the idea of a "wealth belly" doesn't exactly cover new ground for our society's status symbols. In the late 19th century, there were even "fat clubs" in the United States comprised of powerful men who flaunted their weight as much as their wealth. Since then, of course, our country's relationship to body health and image has changed dramatically. The myriad benefits to maintaining a fit physique via regular exercise and a balanced diet are now well-documented, and the risks of being overweight or obese are just as well-known.

Carrying a few extra pounds is nothing to be ashamed of, but the idea of a "wealth belly" is nothing new, and either way, having a spare tire isn't indicative of wealth—it's just having spare tire. And, if we had to bet, we'd say that once McGregor is ready to work himself back into fighting shape, it won't be as a heavyweight.

Don't expect the MMA champ to start fighting as a heavyweight anytime soon, either. Read Full Story