Canadian rapper Drake had a behavior of shedding big-money bets on UFC fights — till final month, when he gained a million-dollar wager. His six-figure bets by no means paid off till that win, however he’s now again within the tank as soon as once more.
Recording artist Drake speaks about Apple Music through the Apple WWDC on June 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. The playing aficionado has a behavior of shedding bets on UFC fights, which he did as soon as once more this previous weekend. (Picture: Getty Pictures)
Drake’s common sports activities betting losses led to what turned often known as the “Drake Curse.” Nonetheless, profitable a $1-million wager when Israel Adesanya beat Jared Cannonier in UFC 276 introduced the curse to an finish.
Nonetheless, it reappeared this previous weekend. Returning to Stake.com, his favourite betting platform and the place he’s an envoy, Drake positioned two bets per bout on UFC 278 for a complete of $430,000. Neither went his method.
Usman Over Edwards
On a number of events, Drake focused the underdog together with his UFC bets, maybe hoping for a bigger payday. Nonetheless, when Adesanya took down Cannonier, the rapper with essentially the most prime 5 hits on the Billboard Scorching 100 wager on the favourite and gained.
Since backing the favourite appeared to interrupt the curse, Drake took Kamaru Usman to beat Leon Edwards within the fighters’ welterweight title match. Usman was an enormous favourite, getting round -370 to Edwards’ +265.
Drake put $149,000 on the Nigerian fighter Kamaru to take down his British opponent by knockout. He positioned one other wager price $49,000 that the favourite would end the bout within the fourth spherical. Neither occurred.
Edwards confirmed indicators that he was out for blood early in Spherical 1 in opposition to Usman. He landed a takedown within the spherical, however then appeared to lose momentum. Usman’s probabilities of retaining his title elevated all through the match, till a shocking Spherical 5 transfer modified all the pieces.
Usman’s actions within the fifth would be the speak of UFC movies for years to return. He appeared to drop his guard, assuming the match was his. Nonetheless, Edwards didn’t let up, and with lower than a minute to go, scored an enormous blow. He moved in with a jab and a head kick that knocked his opponent out.
With that, Usman misplaced the match and Drake misplaced his cash. He had $200,000 on the favourite, though Edwards made it clear after the match that he made the unsuitable alternative.
In an Instagram publish, Edwards referred to as out Drake for not backing him. Drake had given two UFC fighters, Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann, Rolex watches in appreciation of their wins. Edwards advised the rapper to wager on him subsequent time and provides him “a kind of Rolexes.”
Edwards Prepared for Subsequent Bout
Usman and Edwards met in 2015 in Usman’s first official UFC battle after profitable The Final Fighter 21 occasion. So, naturally, and with higher odds, it made sense to again the favourite.
Nonetheless, Edwards has been persistently robust since then. He was on a 9-0 run heading into Saturday’s match, though he has restricted his appearances for the previous two years. Issues may now change, and the Brit could start to seem extra typically.
Edwards stated after the match that it was “one of many worst performances” of his profession. Nonetheless, if touchdown a kick that knocks out the title-holder is among the many worst, then there needs to be quite a lot of nice issues nonetheless to return.
British UFC followers may be capable to see Edwards in motion at dwelling. Whereas most fights have been within the US, UFC President Dana White advised it is perhaps time to go throughout the pond.
He stated in a press convention after the battle that maybe it’s time the UFC paid a go to to Wembley. Out of the previous 36 fights, in response to ESPN, solely three had been outdoors the US. Two had been in London and one was in Singapore.
