Bookies Favouring Conor McGregor Too Heavily In Upcoming Clash With Dennis Siver
By padraigmartin
@paidimartin
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Conor McGregor will face Dennis Siver in the main event of UFC Fight Night 59 on January 18. Even when one allows for the fact that Boston has a strong Irish connection, the fact that McGregor is headlining a card on the back of a mere four-fight streak inside the Octagon is testament to his popularity. The UFC has cleverly filled the card with Irish fighters to the point that fans have taken to calling the event UFC Fight Night Dublin 2.
McGregor has undoubtedly been impressive since signing for the UFC. He has won four fights and undergone ACL surgery in little more than a year. It is his personality, however, that has seen him earn significant pay increases and occupy main and co-main event slots. Not only does he know how to talk, he backs up every word. His flamboyance has been paramount to his success.
He may well get a title shot at Jose Aldo should he defeat Siver. Indeed, he could have the speed and solid boxing fundamentals to defeat Aldo, but the news that some bookies have installed McGregor as a 10:1 favourite over German-based Siver is nothing short of outrageous.
Siver is a crafty veteran of 32 fights, 18 of which took place in the UFC. He is the owner of an impressive highlight reel and possesses a nasty spinning back kick. He is no joke, and the odds do not reflect it. In any case, installing anyone as a 10:1 favourite in a two-horse race is ludicrous; and doing so in a combat sport is more ludicrous. Doing so in an MMA fight where you can defeat your opponent via any number of means is even more ludicrous still.
McGregor should prevail on paper. Clearly, the UFC is planning on him doing so, but Siver will be planning to upset the applecart.
Padraig Martin is a Freelance Blogger at RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @paidimartin or add him to your network on Google.
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