Celebrated artist Drake once again found himself on the winning side of a high-stakes sports wager, pocketing just under $1.1 million (£820,000) after UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van successfully defended his title at UFC 331.
According to GiveMeSport, the rapper had placed a substantial $650,000 (£485,000) bet on Van to defeat top contender Alexandre Pantoja in their highly anticipated rematch.
Known for his bold predictions and significant wagers on combat sports, Drake shared his betting slip on social media ahead of the event in Los Angeles, California. As highlighted by GiveMeSport, he accompanied the slip with a message that showed both his anticipation and the pressure surrounding the enormous wager: “I don’t know bro… but he better win.”
Van certainly delivered, securing a unanimous decision victory over Pantoja, much to the relief and financial benefit of the Canadian superstar. The result meant Drake walked away with a payout worth just under $1.1 million.
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Van silences doubters in rematch
The main event at UFC 331 marked a crucial moment for Van, who first captured the UFC flyweight title against Pantoja at UFC 323 last December. As detailed by GiveMeSport, that initial encounter ended in unusual circumstances when Pantoja suffered a dislocated elbow, leading some observers to question the manner in which Van had claimed the championship.
The rematch therefore presented Van with the opportunity to remove any lingering doubts by beating Pantoja outright. This time, there was little room for debate as the champion secured victory on the judges’ scorecards.
Following his decisive win, Joshua Van addressed those doubts in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “A lot of people said that was an accidental win the first time. Doubt me now,” Van declared.
He also extended respect to his opponent after another demanding encounter, adding: “Shout out to Pantoja, nothing but respect from me. He’s a tough motherf**ker, man.”
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Van’s performance not only secured Drake’s massive payout but also earned the champion a significant sum himself. GiveMeSport reports that Van took home $600,000 from UFC 331, including a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus for his performance.
The victory further strengthens Van’s position at the top of the UFC flyweight division and adds another major result to his rapidly growing résumé.
According to the figures highlighted by GiveMeSport, Van’s record following his latest victory stands at:
- Professional MMA record: 18-2
- UFC record: 11-1
- UFC title defenses: 2, including one against Tatsuro Taira
His second successful title defense against an opponent of Pantoja’s calibre further underlines Van’s growing stature in the UFC. Drake clearly had plenty of faith in the flyweight champion before the fight — and that confidence ultimately resulted in a seven-figure payout.
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