Best Bet: ’Jaws’ Dishes Out Heartburn At July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest

Jaws. Heavy D. Megabyte. More Bite.

These aren’t the names of James Bond villains or computer components. 

Instead, these nicknames belong a few of the power eaters competing in the 2022 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The men’s event at Coney Island, New York, begins Monday at 12 p.m. ET, with the winner receiving the Mustard Yellow International Belt.

Chestnut Ranked No. 1

The field of 16 in the men’s event includes 14-time champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, ranked by Major League Eating as the world’s No. 1 competitive eater. He said a recently ruptured tendon, requiring him to use crutches at Friday's weigh-in, would not have any impact on his ability to stand and eat at this year's competition, according to the New York Post.

The No. 1 ranking results from several world records that the 6-foot-1, 235-pound Chestnut holds, including eating 257 Hostess Donettes in six minutes, 32 Big Macs in 38 minutes and 47 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 minutes.

At last year’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, the Westfield, Indiana, resident ran the table, devouring his competition by gobbling 76 hot dogs and buns during the 10-minute event.

This was a new record at the hot dog eating contest, first held in 1916. This year's Over-Under on the number of hot dogs he can eat in 10 minutes is 74.5.

Among those vying this year to upend Chestnut are Derek "Heavy D" Hendrickson of Las Vegas, Ronnie “Megabyte” Hartman of Buffalo, New York, and Juan “More Bite” Rodriguez of Seattle.

Sudo Returns in Women’s Contest

In the women’s competition, the top-ranked female, Miki Sudo, returns after skipping last year’s contest because of pregnancy.

The 38-year-old Tampa, Florida, resident has a personal best of 48.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. She also holds world records in ice cream, kimchi and Minnesota hot dish eating competitions.

With Sudo out of last year’s competition, Michelle Lesco of Tucson, Arizona, finished first with 30 3/4 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

Sudo and Lesco are among the 13 women participating in this year’s event.

Hot Dog Eating Best Bets

Below are the betting odds for this year’s July 4 hot dog eating contest, as provided by BetMGM Sportsbook.

Men’s Outright Winner

Joey Chestnut -3000

The Field +1000

Total Hot Dogs Eaten – Joey Chestnut

Over 74.5 (-135)

Under 74.5 (+105)

Women’s Outright Winner

Miki Sudo -5000

The Field +1100

Total Hot Dogs Eaten – Miki Sudo

Over 49.5 (+125)

Under 49.5 (-165)

TV Times

Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is being held Monday, July 4. Below are the broadcast times on ESPN’s channels:

Women’s competition, 10:45 a.m. ET, ESPN3

Men’s competition, 12 p.m. ET, ESPNEWS

Re-airs at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, ESPN