Conor McGregor Opens as Significant Underdog in Possible Kamaru Usman Bout

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If Conor McGregor were to challenge Kamaru Usman for UFC welterweight gold in the near future, the Irish superstar would be a significant underdog in that bout.

According to BetOnline, McGregor opened at +280 in a potential matchup with the reigning 170-pound champion. Usman, meanwhile, is a solid favorite at -350. The fight must take place in 2020 for odds to be valid.

Rumors of a McGregor vs. Usman bout intensified over the weekend, when the champion’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told ESPN that “The Nigerian Nightmare” would push for a showdown against the Dublin native if a bout with No. 1 contender in waiting Jorge Masvidal did not come to fruition. Before the coronavirus pandemic, Usman and Masvidal were expected to clash during International Fight Week in July. However, it now seems like “Gamebred” is angling for a rematch with Nate Diaz, who he defeated for the “BMF” title at UFC 244 in November.

McGregor returned to the Octagon following a lengthy absence at UFC 246, where he stopped Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds in a welterweight bout on Jan. 18. The SBG Ireland representative was once a two-division champion in the UFC at 155 and 145 pounds but failed to defend the belt in either weight class.

Usman, meanwhile, is currently on a 15-fight professional winning streak that dates back to 2013. He claimed the welterweight crown with a dominant five-round verdict over Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 and successfully defended the belt with a fifth-round TKO of Colby Covington in his most recent outing at UFC 245 on Dec. 14.

Conor McGregor vs Kamaru Usman Odds
Conor McGregor                       +280     (14/5)
Kamaru Usman                         -350     (2/7)