DraftKings Sportsbook, as well as other online/mobile sportsbooks, launched in the state of Michigan just in time for Conor McGregor’s UFC return.
McGregor, still one of it not the biggest draws in the sport, fights Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on Saturday in a highly-anticipated rematch. The two last fought in 2014, with McGregor winning by first round stoppage. Despite Poirier being much more active than McGregor in recent years, McGregor was a -305 favorite at DraftKings on Friday afternoon. Poirier was +250.
Books nationwide reportedly have had a hard time getting action on Poirier, with his value increasing in recent days. The two men faced off at the weigh-in Friday morning.
Here's the final face off. Dustin Poirier gives Conor McGregor his hot sauce and there was tons of respect on display here. One more sleep. #UFC257 pic.twitter.com/NQChvexxwL
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) January 22, 2021
DraftKings told MI Bets that McGregor has commanded a whopping 81% of the handle. BetMGM, another legal Michigan sportsbook, has seen about the same.
On DraftKings, McGregor has commanded an impressive 78% of the bet count.
Other markets for the fight
At DraftKings, McGregor by KO/TKO is the most popular “winning method” wager with more than half the handle. The odds there are -177.
In a real head-scratcher, 16% of the handle is on McGregor by submission at +2000. He has only one sub on his resume, which came in 2012 (outside the UFC).
Let’s not mince words, you’re basically lighting your money on fire with those odds, but to each their own.
The main card of UFC 257 kicks off at 10 p.m. EST on PPV.