TLDR Conor McGregor returned to the UFC after five years away, facing Max Holloway at UFC 329. The fight ended in just over a minute after McGregor suffered a knee injury. The event became the most heavily wagered MMA fight in BetMGM’s history. DraftKings said 92 percent of the money bet on the fight backed McGregor. Sportsbooks profited heavily as most bets became worthless within minutes.
Conor McGregor stepped back into the UFC octagon after five years away from the sport. Fans had waited a long time for his return. The anticipation translated into one of the biggest betting events in mixed martial arts history.
McGregor faced Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329. The fight did not last long. It ended just over a minute after it began.
BetMGM said the fight became the most heavily wagered MMA event in the sportsbook’s history. Only the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson boxing match drew more betting activity across all combat sports on the platform.
McGregor entered the fight as a plus-240 underdog. Bettors still backed him heavily. BetMGM reported that no other fighter on the card drew more betting tickets or more total money to win outright.
What Bettors Were Backing
Bettors did not just wager on who would win. Many placed bets on how the fight would end.
Knockout or technical knockout was the most popular prop bet tied to McGregor. Submission victory and decision win bets also ranked among the busiest markets.
DraftKings reported a similar pattern. The sportsbook said 92 percent of the money wagered on the fight favored McGregor.
More than two-thirds of all betting tickets on DraftKings also backed McGregor. Knockout predictions made up close to a third of both tickets and total betting volume there.
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