McGregor vs. Holloway Sets All-Time BetMGM MMA Betting Record at UFC 329

The headliner between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 generated more betting handle at BetMGM than any MMA event in the sportsbook's history, according to trading manager Alex Rella.

McGregor, fighting as an underdog in what marked his return to the octagon, drew heavy public backing despite his status in the bout. That wave of action on "The Notorious" ultimately worked in the book's favor when Holloway came away with the victory, turning McGregor's underdog ticket into a losing one for bettors across the board.

The 37-year-old Irishman out of SBG Ireland carries a 22-7 record and stepped in as a southpaw striker standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach. McGregor averages 5.27 significant strikes landed per minute at 49 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect a dangerous, if sometimes volume-light, stand-up game.

Holloway, now 28-9, is ranked fourth in the lightweight division and ninth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 34-year-old Hawaiian trains out of Gracie Technics and is widely regarded as one of the most prolific volume strikers in UFC history, landing 6.92 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 69-inch reach, "Blessed" brought considerable experience to the contest, having competed at the highest level of the featherweight and lightweight divisions for over a decade.

Why it matters

• The record-breaking handle underscores McGregor's unmatched commercial draw even entering a fight as an underdog
• Holloway's win, favorable to the book, highlights the gap between public betting sentiment and oddsmaker assessments
• At ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound, Holloway's victory carries divisional weight beyond the spectacle surrounding his opponent