We’ve already established that Las Vegas sportsbooks are freaking out over the possibility of Conor McGregor pulling off an upset in his much-hyped fight against Floyd Mayweather, with so much money coming in on the MMA star.
But there’s another betting trend that’s putting us inside the minds of gamblers indicating what they think might happen during the fight. From a William Hill daily newsletter email (take note of the second part of the quote):
“The handle is insane. It is easily going to pass the handle for any fight ever booked in the state of Nevada. The liability is equally insane, as tickets are coming in on Conor McGregor at about an eighteen to one clip. The props are all drawing fantastic action with the most popular being will McGregor get disqualified. A lot of people believe that McGregor will get frustrated and eventually snap and do something Tyson like.” -Nick Bogdanovich, William Hill US, Director of Trading.
Whoa. Obviously, that refers to Mike Tyson taking a bite out of Evander Holyfield’s ear. Would McGregor really do something like that? I’d say no on the ear biting, but what if his MMA instincts suddenly get the best of him and he kicks Mayweather?
That’s actually been addressed. From USA TODAY Sports, back in June:
Conor McGregor will be contractually prohibited from “going rogue” and elbowing or kicking Floyd Mayweather in their highly lucrative Aug. 26 boxing match. …
Some have speculated that Mayweather’s silky boxing skills will frustrate the Irishman to the point of distraction and that he will not be able to resist throwing elbows, aiming kicks or attempting takedown moves, as he is allowed to in MMA.
“There is no way that will happen,” UFC President Dana White said, on a Wednesday evening conference call. “That is absolutely in the contract, No.1.
“No. 2 this is a boxing match under the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. When you talk about a guy like Floyd Mayweather — the lawsuit if that ever happened … you all know how much Conor likes money. Conor would depart with a whole lot of money if that ever happened.”
Maybe that will convince those bettors to change sides on this one.