Conor McGregor’s newest venture into the gambling scene came to a disastrous conclusion on Saturday night when the former UFC champ lost a whopping $500,000 wagering on Michael Chandler to knock out Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. While this result prompted some to question whether McGregor would return to The Octagon, such a development remains highly unlikely.
McGregor Remains in Retirement
Despite McGregor’s hopes, it was Pimblett who delivered the brutal finish, stopping Chandler in the third round with a vicious flying knee followed by a flurry of punches that prompted the referee to halt the fight. The defeat adds to Chandler’s recent woes, marking his fifth loss in six fights, while Pimblett continued his meteoric rise in the UFC lightweight ranks.
McGregor, 36, had teased his interest in the bout all week, posting a training clip smashing pads with longtime coach John Kavanagh and captioning it with a message that teased a potential showdown with the victor. Confident in Chandler’s power and experience, the Irish superstar publicly declared his wager, predicting a “brutal KO.” The bet, if successful, would have netted McGregor a tidy profit of $2.5 million. However, this was not to be.
The fight I’m interested in, Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett.
Conor McGregor
The Irishman hasn’t competed since July 2021, when he suffered a catastrophic leg break during his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. Although he was scheduled for a comeback against Chandler in June 2024, the bout got scrapped due to an undisclosed injury. McGregor has since re-retired and launched an Irish presidential campaign, further diminishing his chances of an Octagon return.
Pimblett Is Ready for a Potential Showdown
Despite the enormous financial hit, McGregor took the loss in stride on social media late Saturday night, posting a simple message and congratulating the winner. Pimblett’s record now stands at 23-3, extending his winning streak to nine fights. UFC President Dana White confirmed post-fight that he is targeting a Top 5 opponent for Pimblett’s next outing.
Asked in the post-fight interview about McGregor’s bet and the potential opportunity to face him, “Paddy the Baddy” was swift to respond, expressing his readiness to face off against the former champion. However, Pimblett was also skeptical regarding a potential return for McGregor, noting that the Irishman had enough money and fame to last him a lifetime without taking unnecessary risks.
He’s got enough money. He doesn’t need to come back. But if he does, then the Baddy is waiting for him.
Paddy Pimblett
While the betting slip didn’t pan out for Conor McGregor, the narrative it created might yield dividends in the coming months. Whether it’s a shock return to the octagon or a continued push into politics, McGregor remains one of MMA’s most charismatic figures. As for Paddy Pimblett, he has made his name known and possibly put himself into the crosshairs of MMA’s biggest star.