• Loading stock data...
Saturday, January 17, 2026

The House Always Wins

  • Sportsbooks cleaned up on Dustin Poirier’s Saturday night upset by second-round TKO.
  • “It was a massive win for us,” a PointsBet spokesman told Darren Rovell.
Jeff Bottari/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Sportsbooks won big on Dustin Poirier’s Saturday night upset by second-round TKO. 

Conor McGregor was a consensus favorite heading into the UFC 257 main event. As the majority of money flowed in on the Notorious One, his price rose from -190 to -310 at BetMGM. 

Poirier was around a +270 underdog and +650 to win via knockout. Only 8% of the money at DraftKings was on Poirier when the fight started.

A “Yes” bet on a McGregor win in a minute or less received 95% of tickets and 99% of money. Just 1% of round prop betting was on a Poirier win in Round 2.

“It was a massive win for us,” a PointsBet spokesman told Darren Rovell. “About as big a single event win as you see.” The company added that it had zero big bets on Poirier.

Biggest wins of the night, per Rovell:

  • A $200,000 bet on Poirier at William Hill netted $540,000
  • A $100,000 bet on Poirier at BetMGM netted $270,000

Biggest losses:

  • $209,500 bet at BetMGM on McGregor
  • $188,000 bet at FanFuel on McGregor

McGregor, even in defeat, will bank $5 million in salary off the fight. His cut of the projected 1.5 million pay-per-view sales will lift his earnings to an estimated $20 million

Poirier netted a career-high $1 million purse, plus his cut of PPVs, and a $50,000 bonus for winning.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Kayla Harrison (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Julianna Pena (not pictured) in a bantamweight title bout during UFC 316 at Prudential Center.

UFC on Paramount+ Off to Rocky Start as Prices Rise and Title..

A big UFC title fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes has been postponed. 
Bryson
exclusive

NFL, PGA Tour Won’t Let Players Endorse Prediction Markets

The leagues aren’t swayed by Kalshi’s deal with Bryson DeChambeau.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; American DJ Steve Aoki during the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

DraftKings Cofounder, DJ Steve Aoki Accused of Duping NFT Buyers

The proposed class action expects “tens of millions of dollars” in damages.
Jan 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) celebrates his goal against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) with left wings Artemi Panarin (10) and Alexis Lafreniere (13) and center Mika Zibanejad (93) and defenseman Adam Fox (23) during the second period at Madison Square Garden.

NHL Deepens Ties to Polymarket, Kalshi As Other Leagues Stay Away

Its new Rangers deal comes after Kalshi broke the ice with the Blackhawks.

Featured Today

Sports Goes All In on Non-Alcoholic Drinks Boom

Athletes, teams, and leagues are pouring money into the NA beverage category.
Tulsa Portal House
January 16, 2026

Inside the Tulsa Portal House: ‘This Will Translate to Wins’

The Golden Hurricane set up an over-the-top battle station for football recruiting.
Black Rabbit
January 10, 2026

The Netflix Star Who Makes Sure NBA Players Have Clean Towels

How a Nets staffer landed a breakout role on “Black Rabbit.”
January 9, 2026

NHL Ditched Its Dress Code. Hockey’s Fashion Era Arrived Quickly

With no dress code, impeccably dressed players are seeing big-money deals.
Sep 26, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Team USA golfer Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot from the first tee on the first day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
exclusive

Kalshi Tees Up First Athlete Deal With Bryson DeChambeau

The prediction-market platform previously made a deal with the NHL’s Blackhawks.
December 30, 2025

ESPN Employee Didn’t Violate Rules in $1 Million DraftKings Win

ESPN researcher Mackenzie Kraemer didn’t break company rules, a source told FOS.
Prediction markets
December 31, 2025

Prediction Markets Exploded in 2025. What Comes Next?

After 2025’s prediction-markets mania, the dust may start to settle in 2026.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
December 30, 2025

Sportsbooks Sue to Stop Chicago’s New Licensing Requirement

DraftKings, FanDuel, and others are crying foul over last-minute budget additions.
December 30, 2025

Why Polymarket Has Avoided Legal Pushback So Far

Regulators have taken a wait-and-see approach since Polymarket’s U.S. relaunch.
Emmanuel Clase
December 26, 2025

2025 Was the Year of Sports Gambling Scandals

Gambling scandals across pro and college sports went mainstream in 2025.
Dec 20, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andre Burakovsky (28) celebrates with center Ryan Greene (20) his goal scored in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
exclusive
December 23, 2025

Blackhawks Are First Pro Team to Make Direct Deal With Kalshi

The deal builds on Kalshi’s existing partnership with the NHL.