Masvidal Bets $200K On Hokit At UFC 334

Jorge Masvidal has placed a $200,000 wager on Josh Hokit to defeat heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 this Saturday night.

The retired welterweight contender revealed the bet on the Deep Waters podcast, telling co-hosts Chris Weidman and Dustin Poirier that he hunted for favorable numbers before landing an unusually generous price. "I bet the house," Masvidal said, as first reported by MMA Mania. After cycling through multiple books without satisfaction, he eventually connected with someone willing to offer him 5-to-1 on the undefeated challenger.

Boosted Line Pushes Potential Return To $1 Million

A betting slip Masvidal posted to his Instagram Story confirms the wager went through Cocobet, where Hokit's opening number of +158 was increased to +400. That price would return $1 million total if the challenger wins at Madison Square Garden. Masvidal tagged the book and called it the best available option for backing the underdog, though he offered no explanation for why the line moved so dramatically in his favor.

The former title challenger's read on the fight centers on wrestling. Gane has dropped both of his UFC defeats to grapplers — first to Francis Ngannou, then to Jon Jones — and Masvidal believes Hokit can exploit the same weakness. He expects the New Zealander to secure takedowns and inflict damage from top position.

UFC 334 takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC 334 odds: Quasi-retired former title challenger places curious $200k bet on Josh Hokit to defeat Ciryl Gane – ‘Bet the house’