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Drake's Million-Dollar McGregor Bet Fuels 'Curse' Talk After UFC 329 Loss — Melanin News | Melanin
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Drake's Million-Dollar McGregor Bet Fuels 'Curse' Talk After UFC 329 LossSports

Drake's Million-Dollar McGregor Bet Fuels 'Curse' Talk After UFC 329 Loss

4d ago

The internet is buzzing once again about the infamous "Drake Curse." This time, it's after hip-hop superstar Drake's $1 million bet on UFC fighter Conor McGregor went sideways, with McGregor suffering a serious injury just moments into his highly anticipated return to the Octagon.

McGregor, known as "The Notorious," was the centerpiece of the UFC 329 main event on July 11, 2026, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The fight pitted him against fellow former featherweight champion Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch. Drake had publicly announced his substantial wager the day prior, on July 10, 2026, through the crypto sports betting operator Stake. He expressed strong confidence in McGregor, writing, "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." Had McGregor won, Drake stood to gain a potential payout of $2.8 million.

Image related to Drake's Million-Dollar McGregor Bet Fuels 'Curse' Talk After UFC 329 Loss
Related image from the original report Source

However, the fight concluded abruptly at 1:09 of Round 1. McGregor attempted a jumping kick early in the bout, and upon landing, his knee appeared to buckle. He subsequently collapsed multiple times, leading referee Mike Beltran to intervene and award Max Holloway a first-round TKO victory due to the injury. The swift and devastating outcome immediately fueled online discussions about the "Drake Curse," a popular belief that athletes or teams publicly supported or bet on by the Canadian rapper often face unexpected losses.

This marked McGregor's return to the Octagon after a five-year layoff, following a broken leg sustained at UFC 264 in July 2021. His opponent, Max Holloway, known as "Blessed," was making his debut in the welterweight division. The two fighters shared a history, with McGregor having previously defeated Holloway via unanimous decision in August 2013, early in their respective UFC careers. The rematch, however, ended in stark contrast to their first encounter.

Drake, a prominent rapper and songwriter, is also a high-profile sports bettor and a brand ambassador for Stake.com. His frequent public wagers have cultivated a mythical reputation, particularly when his chosen athletes or teams face unexpected setbacks. The "Drake Curse" narrative gains significant traction with each high-profile loss, despite a mixed record of both wins and losses for the rapper.

Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor Source

Looking back at Drake's extensive betting history, which has been tracked since February 2022, his public gambling record shows a net deficit of $786,072 from 30 wins out of 84 tracked wagers. Prior incidents that contributed to the "Drake Curse" narrative include several substantial losses. In November 2022, he lost $1.595 million betting on Israel Adesanya against Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Other significant losses include $700,000 on Sean Strickland, $565,000 on Tyson Fury, and $200,000 on Charles Oliveira against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June 2025. He also previously lost $400,000 on Justin Gaethje against Charles Oliveira at UFC 274 in May 2022.

The rapper's sports betting misfortunes extend beyond the UFC. In December 2025, he reportedly lost $200,000 backing Jake Paul to beat Anthony Joshua, and an earlier $400,000 on Jake Paul against Tommy Fury. Other notable losses include a $1 million bet on the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl, $615,000 on Francis Ngannou, $1 million on Argentina in the World Cup, $600,000 on Barcelona, $1 million on the Toronto Maple Leafs, and $800,000 on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.

However, the "curse" is not absolute. Drake has also seen considerable betting successes. He won $1.2 million and later $500,000 on separate bets involving the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. He also netted a $425,000 profit on Alex Pereira's victory over Jamahal Hill in the UFC and successfully wagered $250,000 on Jon Jones to submit Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Additionally, he profited $300,000 from a bet on the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl. These wins demonstrate a more complex reality than the simple "curse" narrative suggests, though the public's fascination often centers on the dramatic losses.

The high-stakes nature of Drake's wagers, coupled with the prominence of the athletes and events he chooses, ensures that each outcome becomes a talking point in sports and pop culture. The latest incident at UFC 329, with McGregor's swift injury and Drake's million-dollar loss, adds another chapter to the ongoing saga of the "Drake Curse," cementing its place as a recurring, albeit informal, phenomenon in the world of celebrity sports betting.