Here’s an interesting situation.
Conor McGregor, the Irish former UFC Champion, put $500k on a boxing match between Jorge Masvidal and his former nemesis, Nate Diaz – and he backed Diaz to win.
Although he still did so with a dig aimed at the American, calling him a “play around dipshit in a fight”. Charming,
Back in 2016, Diaz ended McGregor’s 15 fight UFC winning streak when he was at the height of his fame and popularity. It was his first loss in over 6 years, and although McGregor won the rematch later in the same year, it was the beginning of the end for him.
Diaz’ fight against Masvidal was 8 years later and in boxing rather than UFC, but McGregor made the right call nonetheless. Just.
It was a close call with both men catching the other out with big hits and counters on several occasions, but in the end the fight went to Diaz on points.
The odds McGregor got from his bookie, Duelbits, were 9/4 or 3.25 in decimal odds. This turned his $500,000 bet into a $1,625,000 (£1,253,940) return, with $1,125,000 (£868,112) of that being winnings.
It was one of several bets made by the Irishman around the same period, since he had gone into partnership with Duelbits which is why he was publicising so much of his betting activity.
I’ve decided to put $500,000 on Diaz to win tonight’s boxing match. Range, form, experience, solely hands being used, I can’t see Masvidal causing any problems to Nate in a boxing ring whatsoever. They are both little play around dipshits in a fight, play around bollox, but I…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 6, 2024
After the fight, a reporter told Diaz he had just made Conor McGregor $1.1 million dollars. Nate was briefly quiet, then simply said:
“That’s cool. Good job *something*”
I have no idea what the last bit is because Diaz slurs his words like a 75 year old street drinker, but suffice it to say, he didn’t want to dwell on the subject. Probably because he only made $500k for the fight himself…
It makes you wonder if this is why McGregor made the bet in the first place. Just so he could say he earned more from Diaz’ fight than Diaz. A middle finger from afar.
You’ve gotta love fighting rivalries.