Justin Jaynes is a +140 underdog in the second bout of Saturday's UFC Fight Night prelims. And we can count Justin Jaynes as one bettor who will be taking Justin Jaynes.
The 31-year-old featherweight told Overtime Heroics that he's literally betting his $25,000 fight purse on himself against Charles Rosa on Saturday.
"I’m putting my entire fight contract on myself, and my coaches are doing that as well. I’m betting close to $25,000 that I’m winning my fight because that’s how much I believe in myself," Jaynes said. "This is all in for me, and if I lose this fight, I do not get paid and my coaches do not get paid either. And that won’t be as bad as losing my job of being in the UFC."
While UFC keeps its fighter pay close to the vest, fighters generally get around $25,000 for showing up, then a bonus for winning.
Jaynes replied to several tweets confirming his intentions.
@JustinJaynesMMA fighting tomorrow , my career and full pay check is on the line 🙏🏻
— Justin Jaynes (@JustinJaynesMMA) June 25, 2021
The best price in the United States on Jaynes as of Friday afternoon is +150 at Bet365 (NJ only). He's anywhere from +135 to +145 elsewhere. A $25,000 bet at +140 would net him $35,000 in profit. If he earns around $25,000 as a win bonus from UFC, he'd clear $80,000 total.
Jaynes impressed in his UFC debut almost exactly one year ago, winning Performance of the Night in a TKO victory of Frank Camacho. But he's since lost three straight fights by TKO, TKO and submission — each loss coming as an underdog.
This could be Jaynes' last chance in the UFC given his age and recent run of form.
Is This Legal?
UFC's Fighter Conduct Policy does not address fighters betting on themselves specifically, but it does not allow any conduct that "undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the UFC."
So in other words, fighters can't bet against themselves, because that surely would undermine the integrity of UFC.
This isn't the first time a fighter has bet on himself, or been close to it.
Dan Hooker posted a screenshot of his friend's bet that Hooker would win in Round 1 of his 2016 fight against Mark Eddiva. The friend wagered $900 at +350, making $3,150 in profit when Hooker won by submission.
