Conor McGregor talks with reporters during open workouts for UFC 196 at MGM Grand Wednesday, March 2, 2016. UFC 196 takes place Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Saturday, March 5, 2016 | 2 a.m.
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Breaking from his usual routine of goading opponents and gloating on his position in the UFC, Conor McGregor took aim at the MGM Grand at one point during the UFC 196 pre-fight press conference.
After threatening to tear down the banner of Floyd Mayweather draped on the side of the property, he suggested the resort replace its iconic lion statue with one of an Irish lion because of his financial impact.
“I know the people at MGM are singing all the way to the bank,” McGregor said.
That’s certainly true at the sports book, where bookmakers report McGregor’s last two bouts have produced abnormally large volumes of money wagered on a fight. It’s going to be difficult for sports books to draw as much action for McGregor’s fight tonight against Nate Diaz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the main event of UFC 196.
Unlike his pair of main-event victories over Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo, which were virtual pick’ems by the betting line, McGregor is a big favorite over Diaz to make gambling on the bout less attractive. Bettors wanting to take McGregor have to give minus-500 (risking $5 to win $1), while Diaz comes back at plus-400 (risking $1 to win $4).
The theme is much the same on the rest of the main card, as only the opening fight features a favorite of less than 2-to-1.
Find out how the Sun’s picks panel sees how the big favorites faring as predictions from Las Vegas Sun’s Ray Brewer (18-7), ESPN Radio’s Steve Cofield (17-8), Las Vegas Sun’s Case Keefer (16-9) and KSNV’s Randy Howe (15-10) are below along with a breakdown and betting odds of every fight.
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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