​Hip-hop sensation Drake is all in on Conor McGregor’s return at UFC 329, betting big as he eyes the Las Vegas showcase at the T-Mobile Arena. Known for his high-stakes wagering through his online sportsbook partner Stake, Drake is leaning into the action for the highly anticipated main event pitting Conor McGregor against former UFC champion Max Holloway. With the fight just days away, Drake has placed a substantial bet on McGregor, signaling his confidence in the Irish superstar as he makes his comeback.
How much faith does Drake have in McGregor? The rapper and entrepreneur has staked $1 million on McGregor at +285 odds. If McGregor emerges victorious, Drake wouldNet a return of $2.85 million, a figure that underscores the high-stakes nature of his betting strategy and his belief in McGregor’s ability to reclaim his place at the top of the sport. The stakes are significant, especially given McGregor’s five-year hiatus from the Octagon following his leg injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. This fight at UFC 329 represents McGregor’s first trip back inside the cage, and Drake’s sizable wager adds to the buzz surrounding the card.
Holloway, meanwhile, enters the rematch as the favorite, coming off a string of recent wins, including victories over Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, the current lightweight champion. The former champion’s momentum contrasts with McGregor’s extended time away from competition, which has contributed to the general perception that Holloway is the more polished and battle-tested fighter heading into the bout. Still, McGregor’s track record of dramatic comebacks and his history of delivering when it matters most keeps the odds intriguing. The dynamic between the two fighters is steeped in a long-running rivalry, with Holloway having defeated former foes in recent memory and McGregor hoping to reinsert himself into UFC championship contention after a long layoff.
The matchup at UFC 329 is not just about a single fight; it also carries the weight of McGregor’s broader legacy and the potential for a significant momentum shift in the featherweight division. McGregor’s absence from the sport has been notable, and a successful return could reignite his intrigue and marketability, both inside and outside the octagon. For Drake, the wager goes beyond a simple bet—it’s a statement about belief in McGregor’s ability to rebound from recent challenges and reaffirm his status as one of MMA’s most recognizable personalities.
The narrative around Drake and his betting history adds another layer of intrigue to the UFC 329 card. The so-called “Drake Curse” is a widely discussed phenomenon in sports betting circles, suggesting that teams or athletes favored by the rapper tend to lose their bets. Drake’s past betting history has included high-profile, high-stakes bets with mixed results. For instance, he once wagered $200,000 on Charles Oliveira to beat Ilia Topuria at UFC 317; Oliveira was defeated by Topuria via knockout, fueling the curse narrative. In another high-profile moment, Drake placed a $200,000 wager on Jake Paul as an 8-to-1 underdog to defeat heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua in December, a bet that would have yielded a $1.64 million payout if it had hit, though Joshua knocked Paul out in the sixth round. These episodes contribute to Drake’s reputation for staking big sums on volatile outcomes and add an extra layer of drama to his latest big bet on McGregor.
As UFC 329 approaches, fans will be watching not only the bout itself but also the broader spectacle surrounding Drake’s involvement and the potential implications of his wager. If McGregor can deliver a victorious return to the octagon, Drake’s sizable bet could become part of the narrative that reinforces the fighter’s comeback story. Conversely, a Holloway win would extend the narrative around the durability of the former champion’s momentum and could complicate Drake’s betting posture going forward. Either way, the McGregor-Holloway faceoff at UFC 329 promises to be one of the most talked-about events in the MMA calendar, amplified by Drake’s high-profile bet and the enduring specter of the Drake Curse that continues to captivate fans and bettors alike.