McGregor vs Mendes. The Gamble and chips on the table

Money left on the table? Maybe not. It just might be sitting in ‘MMA escrow.’ My initial reaction to Jose Aldo’s injury and potentially pulling out of his fight against Conor McGregor was totally pessimistic. I saw no light at end of the tunnel.

Particularly if Conor were to face Frankie Edgar or Chad Mendes and get beat like Zab Judah did prior to his super fight against Floyd Mayweather.
Money making opportunities for fights of such global proportion like Aldo vs McGregor are rare and almost non existent in MMA but here’s the deal.

People are still going to buy this fight. When the wagering line opened I saw volume of nearly 1/3 of the initial handle matched in the first 24 hours and I saw the light. This tells me a few things. People are paying attention, they will watch the PPV and may have as much interest as Aldo vs McGregor. The risk. If Conor gets smoked by Mendes, Aldo leaves money on the table.

But if McGregor wins, both will gain and then some. The UFC will benefit as well. If I were Aldo I’d be on my knees hoping McGregor lands a big one and beats Chad Mendes. If I were the UFC I would be wanting to see McGregor win but it won’t dent them as badly if Conor does lose. I’d call it a missed opportunity and bad fortune. This PPV still sells regardless in my opinion. If Conor wins next week it’s huge.

A double spin of the bonus wheel because Aldo vs McGregor will be even bigger. If in the UFC’s position I may have made a bad choice and cancelled any Conor bouts all together prior to an Aldo fight. Someone from the UFC did their homework though. It still makes money and it makes sense.

It may not be the Mayweather vs Pacquiao of MMA now with Mendes in, but should McGregor win it’s nothing but money. Jose Aldo needs to be Conor’s biggest fan come July 11th. Maybe give Conor a few pointers because I think Chad Mendes will win the fight. I am a company man.

I know I’ll need Mendes to win ‘next week.’ If Conor wins, the money Aldo may have left on the table could double for the sportsbooks, the UFC and eventually Aldo and Conor.
The money is just sitting waiting to get picked up. ‘MMA escrow.’Big risk, gamble, stakes and business.

I like it. – Oddessa