Three Famous MMA Fighters Who Also Love a Gamble
Three Famous MMA Fighters Who Also Love a Gamble
Getting in the octagon is, by almost all accounts, a risky career. Many has been the fighter who thought they could never get hit, and then they get injured and never come back to the game the same. But simultaneously, mixed martial arts foster discipline, commitment, and control. Nevertheless, many MMA stars’ appetites for risk have seen them gravitate to gambling over the years.
From one of the all-time legends of the sport being very open about his high stakes sports betting, to the nose-bleed Las Vegas baccarat wagers of UFC owner Dana White or a more recent champion who didn’t do too great at the World Series of Poker, these are three MMA stars who love to gamble.
Connor McGregor Shares His High Stakes Sports Bets
In one now-deleted social media post from 2024 the former two-time UFC champion Irishman McGregor claimed to be up $7 million in sports betting that year.
Luckily you don’t have to have the massive budget of one of the most famous UFC fighters of all time to have a gamble. In fact, with more no deposit bonuses available at sportsbooks and casinos than ever before, you might not need any bankroll at all to get into the game. Or at least, if you consult the right experts to find the top offers.
Since retiring McGregor hasn’t been shy of documenting his big bets, whether wins or losses.
Just some of his high stakes wagers over the years include:
- $1 million loss on Robert Whitaker and Max Holloway to win at UFC 308
- $1.65 million win after betting $500K on his former rival Nate Diaz to beat Jorge Masvidal
- $500,000 lost on Renan Ferreira to knockout Francis Ngannou
- $250K on a pretournament Argentina to win the Copa America that won $1 million
Outside of sports betting, McGregor has been known to frequent Las Vegas casinos, especially after UFC events. During his run coaching on The Ultimate Fighter in 2023, he handed out custom $1000 casino chips to his team for good performances.
However, with a net worth of an estimated $200 million and several sponsorships from various bookmakers under his belt, McGregor is unlikely to be losing sleep over his gambling.
UFC-Owner Dana White is a High Stakes Crusher
Although not technically a fighter, Dana White is practiced in various combat sports and of course, owns the premier promotion the UFC. But he is also, a massively high stakes gambler.
White claims he once beat Las Vegas casino Caesars Palace for $27 million in one night of baccarat. He has been open about his big losses too. But on the other hand, he has several times restated desire to eventually one night bet $1 million a hand.
He has been seen on camera playing in Las Vegas for $200,000 plus per hand – so no far off.
For several years, White has painted himself as a very successful high stakes gambler. Especially when discussing his gambling on podcast interviews and media appearances.
However, some reports have emerged this year throwing doubt on those claims. Various sources told local Las Vegas media that White is at least $25 million in debt to Red Rock Casino in the Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin.
Although with a net worth estimated to be $500 million, he should be able to pay that off without a problem.
Sean O’Malley Is a Dab Hand at Poker
Former UFC bantamweight champion “Suga” Sean O’Malley has never been one to shy away from indulging in some of his life’s vices.
As well as regularly videoing himself smoking marijuana during breaks between camps, the Arizona-based fighter has also regularly been seen at the poker tables.
In 2023 O’Malley entered the $10,000 buy-in World Series of Poker Main Event, but he lost it all when he failed to make the top percentages for a cash prize.
He also has a full professional poker table installed at his house for home games and has cashed in the top places in a few tournaments at tribal casinos in Arizona.
His reported biggest winning night was a $5000 heads up cash game against popular poker YouTuber Frank “Frankie C” Cucchiara. O’Malley won that game, livestreamed online, and afterwards Frankie C had to go against him in a sparring session.
Which the poker YouTuber also lost, of course, but it made for good content.
O’Malley has often talked about the dedication and nerves of steel needed to be a top-tier poker player and how that relates to the UFC.
On the flipside, O’Malley lost his UFC title to Merab Dvalishvili in 2024, and then failing to get it back in a rematch in 2025. Since then, he has publicly promised several times to cut back on the distractions.
He has reportedly stopped playing poker, for now at least, and cut out smoking marijuana, in order to focus on getting back into the fight game with a bang before the end of 2025.
