Bookmakers fancy Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo unification bout at Croke Park in 2016

Backing our boy.

One of the busiest jobs in sports today, apart from us sports journalists, was that of the bookmakers. The UFC world was tipped on its head, late last night, when Jose Aldo officially pulled out of his bout with Conor McGregor at UFC 189. Soon after the newly arranged fight was announced, FOX Sport pundit John Anik gave an insight into odds that made 30-year-old Mendes the favourite by a cosy distance. https://twitter.com/Jon_Anik/status/616056796227235840?lang=en The Irish market is seemingly unaffected by the late change in opponent. McGregor is currently the "slight favourite" in the opinion of bookmakers Ladbrokes. The Irishman's odds stand at 4/6 while Mendes is 6/5. The tide was turning towards McGregor, too, Statesside as fans weighed up the July 11 event. Level pegging. https://twitter.com/Jon_Anik/status/616074611801882624?lang=en Many Irish MMA fans are looking beyond the UFC 189 bout. Dana White, the promotion's president, has already stated that McGregor would, in all likelihood, get to defend a newly claimed featherweight belt at Croke Park. Top MMA pundit Ariel Helwani does not believe the 3 Arena, which will host UFC Fight Night Dublin this October 24, would have the crowd capacity to accommodate McGregor v Aldo. That moves a Spring/Summer 2016 bout between The Notorious and Nova Uniao fighter. A spokesperson for Ladbrokes told us, 'We would offer even money that there's a bout in Croke Park before the end of 2016.'