Holloway-McGregor drives record MMA handle for UFC 329

Max Holloway made quick work of Conor McGregor at UFC 329 on Saturday night, but the main event still drove record betting for at least one major sportsbook.

"Conor McGregor-Max Holloway was the most-bet MMA event in BetMGM history," trading manager Alex Rella said. "There was heavy action on McGregor as an underdog in his return fight. Holloway winning was a good outcome for the sportsbook."

McGregor, in his first UFC fight in more than five years, opened as the +250 underdog and was at +240 entering the fight. His underdog odds led to 88% of the total fight bets and 81% of the money wagered backing McGregor to win.

Meanwhile, Holloway drew just 12% and 19%, respectively, as the -300 favorite after opening at -345.

Holloway (28-9 MMA) earned a TKO win against the former two-division champion at 1:09 of Round 1 after McGregor (22-7 MMA) injured the same right leg he had injured in his trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

Holloway winning by KO/TKO or disqualification was offered at -145. However, the most popular prop bet for the entire main card at the book was McGregor to win by KO/TKO or DQ at +275.

It also went down as the second most bet combat sports event in BetMGM history, behind only Jake Paul against Mike Tyson.

The event featured 14 fights, including a five-fight main card. Paddy Pimblett (24-4 MMA) advanced his lightweight contender status against Benoit Saint-Denis (17-4, 1 NC MMA) via submission (D'arce choke) 52 seconds into the first round, remaining in the upper echelon of the lightweight championship picture in the night's co-main event.

The fight proved to be the best outcome for bettors on the card, with Pimblett drawing 87% of the bets and 77% of the money as the +110 underdog. And Pimblett winning by submission was the most-bet prop on that fight at +500.

--Field Level Media