Dana White Lost $1M Betting On Jermain Taylor To Beat Kelly Pavlik

UFC president Dana White has admitted he is a “degenerate” gambler who lost $1 million betting on Jermain Taylor to beat Kelly Pavlik in 2007.

During a recent interview with ESPN Sports Betting, White spoke in support of gambling becoming legal in more American states.

The UFC boss insisted betting is good for sport and flames the interest of fans including himself.

“I’d say it’s about time. I like it. It’s obviously a thing people love to do. It makes whatever you’re watching a lot more fun, a lot more interesting, so I’ve always been for it. But I’m from Vegas,” White said.

“I always (gamble). On every sport that I’m interested in. On every game on Saturday, If I want to know what the line is, if it’s college or pros, I always look at the line on fights.”

White admits he is a “degenerate” who loves to gamble.

“I play table games too much. I’m a degenerate if you’re not getting it. I’m a degenerate, yes. I love to gamble,” White said.

The 51-year-old reminisced about the first time he bet really big. White backed unified middleweight champion Taylor to retain his belts by beating Pavlik. Things went wrong for White who lost $1 million when Pavlik knocked out Taylor in seven rounds.  

“Oh my god. What was the kid’s name? Jermain Taylor. And who did he fight? I know this for the ass-whooping I took. He fought the tall, lanky, white kid from Ohio, Kelly Pavlik. I bet $1 million on Taylor and he got destroyed. It was the first time I ever bet $1 million dollars because I was so confident Taylor was going to win that fight.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Are you surprised to hear UFC president Dana White likes to bet big on boxing?