How to Pick Winners in UFC - MMA Matches
 
 

Handicapping MMA UFC Matches

Picking UFC MMA WinnersIn the world of MMA, anything can happen. Today’s champ is tomorrow’s chump. While this can make it difficult for the MMA bettor, there are a number of things to look for which can increase your chance of correctly picking the winner of a contest. When betting, you should have a basic idea of how each of the following apply to your fight:

1. Stand-Up

The stand-up game includes both boxing and kickboxing and incorporates knees, punches, elbows and kicks. A fighter with a strong stand-up game will be able to mount an offense while standing and also defend against attacks from his opponent. Fighters known for having a strong stand-up game include Chuck Liddell, Mirko Filipovic, Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin.

2. Wrestling

This includes skills such as wrestling and judo and helps determine whether the fighters will go to the ground or remain standing. A good striker with an excellent sprawl defense will opt to keep the fighters up, while a ground and pound technician will looks to go to the ground and finish off their opponent. Fighters who are known to be highly skilled at wrestling include Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Fedor Emelianenko and Tito Ortiz.

3. The Ground Game

Fighters with an excellent ground game may be skilled in sambo, jiu-jitsu or ground and pound. They will look to take the fight to the ground and then either apply a submission hold or pummel their opponents until the referee stops the fight. Fighters known to be especially lethal on the ground include Matt Hughes, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Josh Barnett and Randy Couture.

4. Injuries

While fighters will often hide an injury going into a fight, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still try to find out about it. Check MMA message boards and news sites for the latest info. Even the most skilled fighter may suffer a decline if he brings a nagging injury into the octagon.

5. Rematch

Have the fighters met before? If so, what was the result and how decisive was it? While this is not a guarantee of the outcome, it can give astute bettors a possible blueprint for how the rematch will turn out. Also keep in mind that a fighter may hold a psychological advantage over another fighter if he has defeated him before.

6. Streaks

Is one of the fighters on a winning or losing streak? This can greatly affect the confidence of a fighter and may give an indication of what’s to come.

7. The Weight-In

Did the fighter have trouble making weight? If so, he may have had to shed a lot of weight in a short period of time. This can leave the body of a fighter exhausted and put them at a disadvantage inside the octagon.

8. Training

Pay attention to who the fighter trains with. Some camps are simply better than others, allowing fighters the opportunity to train and spar with the best in the world. This can also be important when a fighter comes in on short notice to take the place of an injured fighter. If that fighter is a heavy underdog but trains with a camp like Brazilian Top Team or Miletich Fighting Systems, you might take a very close look at them as a potentially strong betting opportunity.

And speaking of underdogs, here’s a little statistic that you might be interested in. From November of 2005 until November of 2007, the UFC has produced 25 underdog wins to 76 favorite wins. UFC 77 was a bettor’s dream, as 5 favorites won while 4 underdogs came out on top. UFC 72 was just the opposite, as all 8 favorites won their matches.

Other pages in this guide to online betting and wagering for UFC and MMA events:

Disclaimer

We serve a worldwide audience, and what applies in one country or state may not apply in another. Before you run out and start gambling on mixed martial arts events, be sure and familiarize yourself with the laws in your area. If you’re particularly concerned, you might even consider consulting with a lawyer or local politician. Remember, compliance with the law is the responsibility of each and every individual. Translation - don’t blame us if “the man” knocks on your door at three in the morning.
 
 

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