Justin Jaynes, a UFC fighter, has discovered an unconventional yet daring method to potentially boost his earnings during the upcoming UFC event on Saturday.
He’s putting his entire fight purse on the line, betting on himself.
On the UFC Vegas 30 preliminary card, Jaynes (16-7) is set to face Charles Rosa (13-5). Despite being considered an underdog with odds at +145 on BetMGM in Virginia, Jaynes is prepared to take on the challenge. The event will be held at the UFC Apex facility near Las Vegas and will be exclusively streamed on ESPN+.
The second fight on the 13-bout lineup is the Jaynes vs. Rosa featherweight matchup, scheduled to start around 1:30 p.m. ET.
While some MMA fans with a more particular preference may choose to skip the early prelims, it would be unwise to overlook Jaynes’ risky and intense endeavor.
Can a UFC fighter bet on himself?
For most competitors, fighter pay in the UFC lags behind, despite being the world’s most prominent MMA promotion.
In a recent interview with Overtime Heroics, Jaynes revealed his intention to risk his entire guaranteed salary.
According to Jaynes, he is willing to take a gamble with nearly $25,000 of his potential earnings. While the UFC has been secretive about fighter pay, it is known that most fighters receive a fixed amount for appearing in a fight, and they can double that amount if they emerge victorious. For Jaynes, it is probable that he is earning a base amount of $25,000, but if he wins, his total earnings would reach $50,000.
Jaynes is putting his $25,000 fight purse on the line, with his coaches also supporting his decision. The 31-year-old Michigan native shared with Overtime Heroics’s Danny Podolsky his determination to take this risk.
Once the betting line is released, I will go all in by wagering my entire fight contract, along with my coaches. I have firm faith in my abilities, which is why I am betting nearly $25,000 on my victory. This is a decisive commitment for me, as losing this fight means no payment for both me and my coaches. However, the potential loss of my UFC career would be even more devastating.
Is it permissible for UFC fighters to place bets on themselves? Surprisingly, yes. They are allowed to bet on their own victory, but not on their own defeat (for obvious reasons).
Several UFC stars, along with their cornermen and cornerwomen, including Ronda Rousey, have placed bets on their own fights.
How much could Justin Jaynes win betting on himself?
The world of MMA, particularly the UFC, is known for its fierce competitiveness. The UFC boasts an extensive lineup of fighters, yet opportunities are scarce. Despite hosting fight nights almost every week, the number of available spots is limited. Remarkably, even with several fights remaining in their contracts, a fighter can be released by the UFC simply after a single loss.
If you lack excitement and end up losing a fight, you may face immediate dismissal. On the other hand, if you are a crowd-pleaser, you typically enjoy a more lenient tolerance.
Jaynes is undoubtedly facing a crucial situation where winning is imperative. Despite making a successful UFC debut by knocking out Frank Camacho, the fighter from Las Vegas has subsequently experienced three consecutive losses, all resulting from knockouts or submissions. If Jaynes were to lose once more, the UFC matchmakers would find it difficult to justify keeping him on the roster.
Jaynes’ literal gamble has received a significant amount of feedback, both positive and negative.
MMA analyst and bettor @MMALOTN jokingly said, “Haha, if my guy Jaynes went all in on himself, he’s gonna be broke after Saturday.”
What if he actually wins? How much profit will Jaynes make?
If Jaynes were to receive odds of +145 on his bet, his potential winnings would amount to $36,250 from his $25,000 wager. It is important to note that in the event of a victory, he would also be entitled to a standard contracted win bonus, which is expected to be around $25,000.
In total, Jaynes’ initial guaranteed payment of $25,000 would increase to $86,250 (excluding taxes, coaching fees, management fees, and other additional costs).
UFC betting promotions for Gane vs. Volkov
The UFC event on Saturday features captivating matchups despite the absence of major celebrity fighters.
The upcoming heavyweight co-headliner promises to be an exciting match-up, with Ovince St. Preux (25-15) listed as a +150 underdog and Tanner Boser (19-8-1) as the favored -185. Notably, Boser fought just three weeks ago, adding to the anticipation of this clash. Additionally, the featherweight bout between Andre Fili (21-8) and Daniel Pineda (27-14) is another highly anticipated event, with Fili being favored at -225 and Pineda as a +190 underdog. This fight is expected to be an unmissable spectacle.
Nevertheless, the focal point of the event lies in the heavyweight clash featuring the unbeaten Ciryl Gane (8-0) going head-to-head with the experienced veteran Alexander Volkov (33-8).
Gane is the favored fighter at BetMGM with odds of -155, while Volkov is considered the underdog with odds of +130.
Nevertheless, certain VA sportsbooks offer exclusive Odds Boosts for the upcoming game. For instance, at DraftKings, the odds for “Cyril Gane to Win by KO/TKO/DQ” have been increased from +275 to +315.
The odds for “Alexander Volkov v Cyril Gane to End by KO/TKO” at FanDuel have been increased from +115 to +150.
Meanwhile, William Hill offers a variety of choices, which include:
- The odds for Alexander Volkov to secure a victory by either KO, TKO, DQ, or submission are set at +400.
- “Ciryl Gane, Tanner Boser, and Kennedy Nzechukwu emerge victorious, securing a +400 win.”
- The betting odds for Ovince Saint Preux winning by decision are set at +450.
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