Is Alex Pereira the UFC’s Next Face? Where does he rank among the light heavyweight greats and how will he fare at 265? These are all great questions after the pay-per-view top bill at the weekend’s UFC 307 event.
The only thing sure for now is that ‘Poatan’ is still making ginormous MMA waves and riding to shore. ‘Money Mac’ Conor McGregor is all here for his domination over Khalil Rountree. But he might have notoriously stirred the pot on that.
On Monday this week, the 36-year-old posted proof of his betting slip to X, writing: “Another one in the bank! Still unbeaten on @Duelbits! Placed this bet last minute as the fighters made their walk out lol.” Shortly afterwards, McGregor deleted his post. But posted the betting slip onto his Instagram account and X again.
If you don’t take risks you won’t drink champagne. @Duelbits
#anotherone #winner #bestoddsConor McGregor via X (@TheNotoriousMMA)
If you don’t take risks you won’t drink champagne. @Duelbits #anotherone #winner #bestodds pic.twitter.com/51Fsi0GvdS
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 7, 2024
This past Saturday, Alex Preria defended his UFC light heavyweight strap at UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree. ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor was hyping up the strike fest even before the matchup. Pereira put away the promotionally ranked No. 8 rival with a vicious R4 finish, and Mcgregor was all in for it. Conor McGregor reports a whopping $1,200,000 winning. This is all part of a sponsorship deal with crypto casino Duelbits (@Duelbits), which saw him betting big before as well.
The Crypto Casino & Sportsbook site proudly sponsors ‘The Notorious’. He even bet big on the Fanmio Pay-per-view event and Cristiano Ronaldo. Until October 2022, the rules did not prohibit fighters from hedging at the last minute. However, due to an ongoing incident with former trainer James Krause, the promotion changed its athlete conduct policy.
The ‘Mac’ Track: An explanation of the Athlete Conduct Policy regarding roster gambling
The promotion has issued memos to its fighters and managers, stating that it is now illegal for active roster fighters to gamble on any of the UFC’s fights, whether they are involved or not. Despite this, fighters will still be allowed to be sponsored by gambling companies, but will not be allowed to bet at all.
Last-minute calls and big bets above stipulated amounts, nearing fighter walkouts, are especially a red flag. On the lines of veering results or being aware of privy betting line tidbits, not open to peers on the active roster. That’d be equivalent to someone betting against Kamaru Usman’s alleged glass knee because they saw him wobbling in the locker. That close timing could very well fall under the close territory of premeditated knowledge.
UFC just issued this memo to fighters and managers regarding a change in their athlete conduct policy:
UFC fighters are now prohibited from gambling on any UFC fight, regardless of if they are involved or not. They can still be sponsored just not allowed to bet at all. pic.twitter.com/6zhuIITxmx
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 17, 2022
During his time away from the octagon this year, Conor McGregor has been streaming on Kick several times. He has been doing so in conjunction with his sponsor, Duelbits. oftentimes going viral for it. Although his sponsorship is not a banned activity, his betting that close to a fight at UFC 307 is.
Given Alex Pereira’s shock KO prowess, a drawn-out match with Khalil Rountree hardly qualifies as premeditated betting or tampering. However, whether this will get him in trouble with the UFC remains unknown.
