Friday, July 10, 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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jun 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) watches his home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park.

How Bryce Harper Ended Up Making Video for FanDuel Whale

Harper didn’t know how the video would be used, sources tell FOS.
Jul 10, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor fights Dustin Poirier during UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

UFC Eyes Record-Setting Weekend with McGregor’s Return

Dana White said UFC 329 will be the highest gate in UFC history.
FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen outside of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 30, 2020.

Novig Founder Isn’t Worried About Kalshi, Polymarket’s Head Start

The Novig CEO says prediction markets are a better product than traditional sportsbooks.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/10/26 – World Cup Ratings Records, Seahawks Sale Narrows, Kawhi Trade Limbo

0:00

Featured Today

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
July 2, 2026

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Kansas City Chiefs
July 1, 2026

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.

Jordan Spieth Says Betting Is Changing Golf—and Could Affect Outcomes

The golfer suggested U.S. Open fans were betting against Wyndham Clark.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman sits for an interview at his office in Frankfort, Ky., on Dec. 18, 2025.
June 23, 2026

CFTC Sues Kentucky After State Takes Aim at Kalshi, Polymarket

Kentucky is the ninth state the CFTC has sued since April.
June 29, 2026

Malik Beasley Latest NBA Player Indicted in Federal Gambling Probe

Beasley coordinated with Ed Davis to fix games, according to the indictment.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
Kalshi's logo is displayed on a smartphone placed on a reflective surface onto which a betting curve is projected in Creteil, France, on March 9, 2026, during a major scandal and a $54 million lawsuit concerning bets related to recent strikes in Iran. (Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto)NO USE FRANCE
June 19, 2026

Kalshi’s Tarek Mansour Talks Giannis, Don Jr., Supreme Court

The Kalshi cofounder discussed critics, CFTC rulemaking, and more.
Reuters FILE PHOTO: Kalshi logo appears in this illustration created on April 22, 2026.
June 17, 2026

Kalshi CEO Downplays Polymarket Rivalry

Tarek Mansour says Polymarket’s scandals risk sullying the entire industry.
In this photo illustration, a mobile device displays the Kalshi logo while a laptop displays the webpage of the prediction market platform in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto)
June 11, 2026

CFTC’s Proposed Rules Won’t Quiet Prediction-Market Critics

Markets tied to physical altercations or referee decisions would be flagged.
Courtesy: Jake Epstein
June 10, 2026

Knicks Run Is New Front in the Kalshi-Polymarket Marketing War

Prediction-market platforms have capitalized on the Knicks’ Finals run.