Odds for Next UFC Lightweight Champion – McGregor Favored to Reclaim Title
- After Khabib Nurmagomedov retired at UFC 254, the lightweight title is now vacant
- Conor McGregor is the betting favorite to be the next champion
- See the odds and best bet for who becomes the next UFC lightweight champion
Since April of 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov ruled over the lightweight division and successfully defended his belt three times. Yet, following his most recent title defense over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, he announced his retirement from the sport and the lightweight title will soon be vacant.
Immediately, many wondered who would be fighting for the title next. There are plenty of deserving contenders like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and countless others. So, sportsbooks have released odds on who they believe will be the next UFC lightweight champion.
Next UFC Lightweight Champion Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | +100 |
| Dustin Poirier | +200 |
| Tony Ferguson | +600 |
| Michael Chandler | +700 |
| Justin Gaethje | +900 |
| Charles Oliveira | +1200 |
| Georges St-Pierre | +2500 |
Odds taken Oct. 27
Who’s Likely to be Fighting for the Vacant Belt?
The UFC could go so many different ways to decide on the two fighters who will be fighting for the vacant lightweight title which makes it difficult.
However, the only upcoming fight that has been agreed to is Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier on January 23, and the UFC would no doubt jump at the chance to try and make the Irishman a world champion again. When McGregor is a champion and fighting often, it is good for business, so I fully expect that to be the fight for the vacant lightweight title.
Then, out of these two, it really comes down to who you think wins the fight, as you are getting better value on this bet than betting on the fighter. In the opening odds, McGregor was -184 while Poirier was +154. So, if you believe this is the fight for the vacant belt as I do, it is much better to bet on this prop than the fight as you get plus money with McGregor instead of the -184.
Is GSP Coming Back?
The only way Georges St-Pierre was going to be fighting again was if Khabib Nurmagomedov hadn’t retired and that would be Nurmagomedov’s final fight.
First off, we don’t even know if the Canadian can make 155-pounds, and he has been retired for a few years now and has said the Nurmagomedov fight was the only one that interested him. While it wouldn’t be surprising to see St-Pierre fight again in 2021, I don’t see it being at lightweight nor for the lightweight title as the UFC doesn’t want him to run off with another belt as he did at middleweight.
Who’s the Longshot With the Best Chance?
The longshot with the best chance is Michael Chandler.
McGregor 🇮🇪
Chandler 🇺🇸
Poirier 🇺🇸
Ferguson 🇺🇸@MikeChandlerMMA wants to see a four-man tournament to decide the next UFC lightweight champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/d5lt2cy0Fg— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 25, 2020
The UFC is super high on him after signing him from Bellator. He was the backup fighter for the title fight at UFC 254. So, he is already a top contender in the UFC’s eyes and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him be part of the title fight, especially if McGregor-Poirier falls apart as the fight is still not completely official.
Who’s the Best Bet?
The best bet, in my opinion, is Conor McGregor.
As mentioned, it is good for business when McGregor is a world champion. So, I expect the rematch with Poirier to be for the vacant belt and I like the Irishman to win that fight and become the new lightweight champion. +100 is also a very fair price to pay for that.
Pick: Conor McGregor (+100)
Cole graduated from Sheridan College in April of 2019 with a diploma in journalism. He now is a full-time freelance writer, focusing on MMA for sites like BJPENN, while also covering the Toronto Blue Jays as a credentialed media member. At SBD, Cole covers the four major sports and MMA.
