Drake bets $1 million on Conor McGregor to beat Max Holloway at UFC 329

Drake bets $1 million on Conor McGregor to beat Max Holloway at UFC 329

Rap icon Drake has placed a $1 million bet on Conor McGregor to defeat Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329. The wager, shared by the artist on Friday via a screenshot of a betting slip from Stake, could result in a profit of $1.85 million if McGregor is victorious.

The bout takes place Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be broadcast on Paramount+. For McGregor, the fight represents a return to professional MMA after an absence of almost five years. His last victory in the Octagon occurred on January 18, 2020, when he defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

Drake’s social media announcement came with an Instagram caption praising the Irishman: THE MAC IS BACK?!?!?? The proper twelve drinking, tailored suit wearing, Lambo Yacht riding man with the Dubai tan that once had both belts in both hands… Say less @stake.

The massive wager arrives amidst a reputation for poor sports betting luck, often referred to as the Drake curse. According to source materials, the artist has previously lost seven-figure bets on the Super Bowl, World Cup, NBA Finals, and other UFC fights. In one previous instance, Drake appeared at the UFC 229 ceremonial weigh-ins draped in an Ireland flag to support McGregor; McGregor lost that fight to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Current betting odds place Max Holloway as the favorite at -225, while McGregor enters the rematch as an underdog at +185. Holloway is coming off a victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 on July 20, 2025.

McGregor’s return follows a severe injury at UFC 264 in 2021, where he broke his leg during the final seconds of the first round in a loss to Dustin Poirier. Speaking with Paramount+, McGregor described the injury as a blessing in disguise that he believes extended his career.

"I am fully, fully healed. There is a titanium rod down the knee into the ankle, and it is solid. I’m Terminator now, that is my mindset,"

Conor McGregor, via Paramount+

McGregor further explained that the recovery period was a process of discovery regarding his mechanics, body, and frame, claiming the experience will bring longevity to his career.

While McGregor won the first encounter between these two fighters, that bout took place 13 years ago. He now returns to the Octagon facing a fighter who has remained active, while McGregor himself has been away from professional competition for nearly five years.

The outcome of the T-Mobile Arena clash will determine if Drake secures the $2.85 million total payout or if the "curse" continues to affect the fighters he backs.