Almost Everyone Is Betting On Conor McGregor Over Floyd Mayweather

With the super-fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather less than 10 days away, public support for the UFC lightweight champion remains strong. Fans are continuing to place bets on the MMA star at a much higher rate than they are on the undefeated boxer.

Mayweather remains a significant favorite in the Aug. 26 bout, but the betting odds continue to shift in McGregor’s direction because of the action that Las Vegas sportsbooks are receiving. Only five percent of bets placed on the moneyline for the fight at William Hill US Race & Sports Book, Nevada’s largest sportsbook operator, have been for Mayweather.

Because McGregor is somewhat of a long shot, the average bet placed on the UFC star is smaller than the average bet for Mayweather. Still, 76 percent of the total money wagered has gone towards a McGregor victory.

When the fight became official on June 14, William Hill named McGregor a +700 underdog and Mayweather was given -1100 betting odds. McGregor’s odds have since dropped to +425, and Mayweather is now a -550 favorite at the sportsbook.

Online sportsbooks are offering even better odds for McGregor. He’s down to a +325 underdog, via OddsShark, and Mayweather has -450 odds on some betting websites.

Even as he faces the greatest boxer of his generation, McGregor continues to promise a victory over Mayweather in his first professional boxing match. After initially predicting a knockout within four rounds, the UFC star now says Mayweather won’t make it past the second round because the fighters will be wearing eight-ounce gloves instead of 10-ounce gloves.

Mayweather hasn’t been nearly as braggadocious in the build towards the fight. He continued to assure fans that he had the advantage over his opponent when he spoke on stage during the four-stop press tour in July, but he’s continued to assert that McGregor has a chance to win.

Because of his age and size, Mayweather has contended that McGregor actually has the edge, at least on paper. McGregor is 11 years younger with a longer reach, and he’s more accustomed to fighting at the 154-pound weight limit.

The public hasn’t seen Mayweather dominate in the ring in quite some time. His last fight was two years ago when he beat Andre Berto by unanimous decision, and it’s been a decade since he knocked out an opponent with punches that weren’t deemed controversial.

McGregor has won three fights since Mayweather last stepped in the ring, including knockouts over the 145-pound and 155-pound UFC champions. Last weekend, fans saw footage of McGregor getting the better of former world boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi during one of their sparring sessions.

McGregor is the best trash talker in the UFC. His gift of gab is as much of a reason for his rise to stardom as his success inside the octagon.

Mayweather is a master promoter, as well, and the two fighters seem to have convinced a large portion of the public that the bout will be closer than many boxing experts would have them believe.