Max Holloway awaits $13,750 in estimated payout as he bets big on NBA season opener between Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers

Max Holloway has his sights set on reclaiming the UFC featherweight championship in his upcoming clash against Ilia Topuria at UFC 308. However, he's also keeping a close eye on the NBA season opener, placing a hefty wager on the clash between Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, with a potential payout of $13,750.

Holloway bet on the Raptors to win, with his stake at $5,000 and odds of 2.75. 'Blessed' is looking at a sizable return if Toronto prevails and referenced the strong Hawaiian presence in Toronto on an Instagram post of his wager. He captioned the post:

"Let’s go 10th Island!"

Check out Max Holloway's Instagram post below:

The Raptors, who finished last season with a 25-57 record, will be looking to turn things around as they face the Cavaliers, who finished with a strong 48-34 record. In the past, Holloway has clarified about the "10th island" reference starting as a joke. Speaking about his love for Canada in an X post, Holloway wrote:

"10th Island" started off as a joke but the way Canada treated me was never a joke and I love you Canadians for that."

Check out the X post below:

Holloway will take on Topuria in the main event of UFC 308 on Oct. 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Topuria is fresh off a dominant knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Holloway, who recently claimed the BMF title by defeating Justin Gaethje, aims to dethrone Topuria and reclaim his position at the top of the featherweight division.

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Max Holloway dismisses Ilia Topuria’s trash talk ahead of UFC 308

Max Holloway remains unfazed by Ilia Topuria's mind games ahead of UFC 308. The featherweight champion has thrown a series of bold challenges at Holloway, including a call for a reckless exchange at the center of the octagon, a move Holloway himself popularized in previous fights.

Topuria also asserted that Holloway was allegedly forced to accept the fight and predicted an early victory against the Hawaiian. Despite Topuria’s provocations, Holloway remains unfazed and claims that he had no reservations to accept the fight.

Speaking about Topuria's trash talk in an interview with MMA Fighting, Holloway said:

“At the end of the day, if that’s what he needs to get himself to the fight or through the fight or whatever it is to the date, then so be it,” Holloway said. “Some people, that’s what they need. They need that self-confidence. They need to build their self-confidence some way, and if it’s pumping his chest and slapping his chest and being like ‘I’m the man,’ then that’s him.

"You can’t take it away. He got pretty far using that technique. So at the end of the day, if he’s using it for this fight, so be it. [H/t: MMA Fighting]"