Khabib vs McGregor Betting Preview

The long-awaited bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor finally arrives this week, as the two will battle for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 229.

Nurmagomedov is the favorite in the bout at Bovada Sportsbook, listed at -155. McGregor checks in as a +125 underdog in his first fight in the Octagon in almost two years.

Nurmagomedov is undefeated in his MMA career at 26-0 with eight wins by knockout and eight by submission. He last fought at UFC 223 in April when he won the UFC lightweight title, beating Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision as a -875 favorite.

McGregor was the UFC lightweight champion before he was stripped of the title due to a lengthy absence from the Octagon. He enters this fight 21-3 with 18 wins by KO. He last fought at UFC 203 in November 2016, defeating Eddie Alvarez by TKO as a -195 favorite. McGregor also took part in a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather since his last fight. They squared off in the ring in August 2017 and Mayweather won by TKO in the 10th round.

Nurmagomedov may be the favorite but there are plenty of props and other bets you can make on the bout at Bovada Sportsbook.

McGregor has only two career wins by decision

The “total rounds” prop for the fight has a total of 2.5 rounds with the OVER paying EVEN money and the UNDER at -140. Only one of McGregor’s last eight MMA fights has gone past Round 2, while eight of Nurmagomedov’s last 10 fights have reached at least the third round.

For “method of victory” at Bovada Sportsbook, the favorite is Nurmagomedov winning within the distance at -105. You can also get Nurmagomedov by decision at +400. McGregor’s odds on the prop include within the distance at +165 and by decision at +900. He has won by decision only twice in his career.

If you want to get even more specific about the fight’s end, Nurmagomedov winning by decision or technical decision is listed at +400, while Nurmagomedov winning by KO/TKO/DQ is at +300. A Nurmagomedov win by submission is listed at +205.

McGregor winning by decision is, not surprisingly, a long shot at +900. The Irishman winning by KO/TKO/DQ is at +165, and winning by submission is at +2500.

The biggest money available would be if the fight ended in a draw. Neither fighter has ever posted a draw in his MMA career, but if it were to happen at UFC 229, it would pay at +7500.