Conor McGregor’s confidence in his betting streak hit a major setback after losing a massive $500,000 wager on the PFL debut of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The Irishman placed a high-stakes bet on underdog Renan Ferreira to win by knockout, hoping for a staggering $1.7 million return, only to see Ngannou dominate with a first-round knockout victory.
McGregor, riding high after winning $1.2 million on Alex Pereira’s victory at UFC 307, took to social media to boast about his latest bet. In a now-deleted voice note, McGregor declared, “I have a 100% winning ratio on these bets. Ngannou is losing by KO tonight,” staking $500,000 on Ferreira, a sizable underdog, to pull off the upset.
However, the fight did not go as McGregor had predicted. Ngannou, despite a 1,000-day absence from MMA after his last UFC title defense against Ciryl Gane, returned with a dominant performance. He overpowered Ferreira, quickly slamming him to the mat and unleashing a series of ground strikes that forced referee Dan Miragliotta to step in. Fans expressed outrage on social media, criticizing the referee for not stopping the fight sooner and allowing Ferreira to take several unnecessary blows.
Ngannou’s victory was especially emotional, as he dedicated it to his late son Kobe, who tragically passed away in April due to illness. Despite this win, Ngannou’s future remains uncertain, with speculation about whether he will continue his MMA career with the PFL or return to boxing.
McGregor’s spirits, however, remained undampened. Shortly after the loss, he tweeted, “THE RICH GET RICHER I’LL GET THAT BACK,” showing no signs of backing down from his bold betting endeavors.
This loss marks a significant financial hit for McGregor, but given his larger-than-life personality and penchant for risk, it’s unlikely to deter him from placing more high-stakes bets in the future.
Meanwhile, Ngannou’s knockout victory further solidifies his reputation as a formidable force in combat sports, leaving fans eager to see what his next move will be—whether in the cage or the boxing ring.
