Rapper Drake pocketed Ksh 361 million ($2.7m) after placing a Ksh 53.4 million ($400,000) bet on Israel Adesanya to knock out Alex Pereira at UFC 287. And Adesanya did just that reclaiming the middleweight 185lb title, just five months after he lost it to his bitter rival Pereira.
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It was a bounce-back from Drake who lost Ksh 21.3 million after backing Stylebender to win that fight. However, Adesanya met Drake’s expectations in his rematch with Pereira.
Drake Curse or Drake Luck
The rapper got branded with the infamous title of Drake Curse following a spate of defeats to the teams and athletes he fervently supported spanning way back from his support for Connor Mcgregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Drake was in fact part of McGregor’s entourage in the fight that boiled over and went beyond the ring.
The Canadian’s first vindication of the curse being lifted was when NBA team Toronto Raptors – his home team – won NBA Championship with Drake passionately pushing.
With Argentina’s recent World Cup win and now Adesanya, Drake seems to be on a roll and might as well have the title Drake Curse changed to Drake Luck at this rate.
‘Drizzy Drake’ placed a Ksh 66.8 bet on Adesanya to win which returned Ksh 118.2 million and Ksh 53.4 million bets for him to win by knockout, which returned a massive Ksh 240.5 million.
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Bitter rival Pereira had previously beaten Adesanya twice in kickboxing.
Adesanya talks about Drake’s bet after his fight
“Shoutout to everyone that bet on me but you have to realise that when I step into the octagon I put my life on the line. That’s the biggest parlay you can ever do. I’m a betting man too so shoutout to Drake, we are about to make another deal and get more money.”
It’s now a thing for the rapper to bet in UFC as he backed Masvidal to beat Colby Covington in their grudge fight last March, though the rapper lost Ksh 36.7 million on the fight.
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Another loss for Drake came just months later when Justin Gaethje was choked out by Charles Oliveira in their lightweight title clash, with Gaethje’s loss costing Drake Ksh 53.4 million.
In July Adesanya beat Jared Cannonier to win Drake Ksh 133.6 million. However, duo Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann won their respective fights at UFC London, with both wins pocketing Drake a $3.6 million payday.
The rapper showed his appreciation by gifting Pimblett and McCann new Rolex watches.
Let’s take a look at UFC 287 fight
Jorge Masvidal retired after he was decisively beaten by Gilbert Burns in the co-main event as Adrian Yanez was brutally knocked by Rob Font in the first round whilst.
Kevin Holland got back in the win column after his loss to Stephen Thompson by knocking out Santiago Ponzinibbio.
18-year-old prospect Raul Rosas Jr suffered his first UFC defeat as the teenager was beaten by Christian Rodriguez.
Kelvin Gastelum and Chris Curtis both earned KSH.6.6 million performance bonuses for their action-packed fight that Gastelum won by unanimous decision.
Joe Pyfer scored a big knockout win against Gerald Meerschaert in just his second fight for the promotion.
Loopy Godinez, Ignacio Bahamondes and Sam Hughes all picked up hard-fought decision wins whilst Steve Garcia rallied after an early scare to knockout Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.
Jorge Masvidal retired after he was decisively beaten by Gilbert Burns in the co-main event as Adrian Yanez was brutally knocked by Rob Font in the first round whilst.
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Kevin Holland got back in the win column after his loss to Stephen Thompson by knocking out Santiago Ponzinibbio 18-year-old prospect. Raul Rosas Jr suffered his first UFC defeat as the teenager was beaten by Christian Rodriguez.
