MMA – Page 46 – Fight Matrix

How to Get Discounted UFC Merch: Top Tips for UFC Fans

Posted on May 23, 2024 by A. J. Riot

For avid UFC fans, owning merchandise that reflects their passion for the sport is a must. Whether it’s wearing the latest fight kit, displaying autographed memorabilia, or flaunting limited edition collectibles, UFC gear allows fans to showcase their loyalty and support for their favorite fighters.

However, the cost of this merchandise can add up quickly, leaving many fans searching for ways to save. The good news is there are several strategies to get your hands on discounted UFC merch without sacrificing quality or style.

In this article, we will explore various methods that can help you score great deals on UFC gear, allowing you to proudly sport your favorite merchandise without stretching your budget.

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Legends of the Octagon: Mark Coleman

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Heather

Mark ‘The Hammer’ Coleman is well known as the first UFC heavyweight champion. Prior to his career in the UFC, he was an NCAA wrestling champion at Ohio State. This led him to compete in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on the U.S. wrestling team, where he placed 7th overall.

In July of 1996, at UFC 10, Mark Coleman became the promotion’s first ever heavyweight champion. With a powerful skillset in wrestling, his opponents typically lost once Coleman got them to the mat and unleashed a fury of strikes or chokehold. Coleman’s fighting style lead him to be known as “The Godfather of Ground and Pound“.

Due to Coleman’s introduction and success of his ground and pound technique, many subsequent fighters have incorporated the technique in their style. Though he is now enjoying his retirement, Mark Coleman was once known as a force to be reckoned with inside the Octagon. He is also known as a mentor to many fighters who came later.

At his gym, Team Hammer House, Mark Coleman trained with standout mixed martial artists such as Phil Baroni and Kevin Randleman. Through coaching and mentorship, he has helped up-and-coming fighters, while solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in the sport.

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Heather

Combat Sports & Martial Arts Writer| Partnership Marketing and Digital Strategy Lead (Combat Sports)
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for decades. I have had an interest in MMA since 2001. I had a 25 year career in healthcare, and now I am pursuing my hobby. I enjoy writing about combat sports and martial arts for FightMatrix.

www.fightmatrix.com

First Steps How To Become a Professional MMA Fighter

Posted on May 20, 2024 by A. J. Riot

A career in mixed martial arts (MMA) is a dream for many. Not everyone can become a professional MMA fighter, as it takes dedication, focus, and patience to become one of the best fighters in the MMA arena. The road is hectic but not impossible, as many have embraced it and become a professional MMA fighter.

Since you will be hunting a proven way to get on the successful MMA road, we are here to help you. From the first steps to the final, you will become adept at fighting and find a lucrative career out of MMA combat.

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This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Jason

Two more changes…

Scrapping the “smart” option. There are too many things to consider outside of what we can track with ratings and metrics (which are apparently not smart enough!)
The “safe” option will only include betting favorites. Really, for the same reason as above.

Bouts considered must satisfy all of the criteria below:

Both fighters must be active (fought in 360 days prior to event). Reduces uncertainty.
Both fighters must have at least 5 fights, with at least 1 draw or 1 loss (excluding debut). More data makes WHR happy.
Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.

Now for the options…

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Legends of the Octagon: Tim Sylvia

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Heather

Former two-time UFC Heavyweight champion, Tim ‘The Mainiac’ Sylvia was one of the original big men of the Octagon. At 6’8″ in height he was one of the tallest individuals to compete in the UFC at the time. Prior to entering the Octagon, Tim Sylvia won several local tournaments in Iowa, defeating multiple opponents on the same night on two occasions.

Sylvia came into the UFC with an undefeated record. Additionally, he won his first UFC fight with Wesley ‘Cabbage’ Correira due to Technical Knockout (TKO) when Cabbage’s corner threw in a towel, which happens to be quite an infrequent situation. Only on three other occasions has a UFC fight been stopped due to a corner throwing in a towel mid-round.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

UFC Betting Strategies

Posted on May 14, 2024 by A. J. Riot

Are you ready to step into the electrifying world of UFC betting? We get it – you’re keen to add some extra thrill to the experience and make some money at the same time. But, before you rush to place your bets, getting the lowdown on how to navigate the fights game is essential.

That’s what you’ll find here. With our tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make informed decisions and up your betting game. And, before you jump into the fray, make sure you’re able to get live, up to date odds on the UFC, as this is like having a secret weapon in your betting arsenal!

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Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy (05-18-2024)

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Jason

Featherweight (145)
[#15] Edson Barboza (24-11-0, +132) vs. [#38] Lerone Murphy (13-0-1, -158)

Last 3 Fights: Edson Barboza (2-1-0)
2023-10-14: W vs. [#47FW] Sodiq Yusuff (13-4-0) via UD (48-46, 48-46, 49-46)
2023-04-15: W vs. [#44FW] Billy Quarantillo (18-6-0) via KO (Knee) in 2:37 of round 1
2022-03-05: L vs. [#16FW] Bryce Mitchell (16-2-0) via UD (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)

Last 3 Fights: Lerone Murphy (3-0-0)
2023-07-22: W vs. [#108FW] Joshua Culibao (12-3-1) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
2023-03-18: W vs. [#116FW] Gabriel Santos (10-2-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-10-30: W vs. [#394LW] Makwan Amirkhani (17-10-0) via KO (Knee) in 0:14 of round 2

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Lerone Murphy	-158		58.69%
Elo K170	Edson Barboza	1917.98	+29.54	54.24%
Elo Modified	Edson Barboza	1926.08	+99.78	63.98%
Glicko-1	Edson Barboza	1973.01	+127.67	67.59%
WHR	Edson Barboza	1795.98	+1.44	50.21%

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Edson Barboza 217, Lerone Murphy 301
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Welterweight (170)
[#39] Carlston Harris (19-5-0, +118) vs. [#53] Kalinn Williams (14-3-0, -142)

Last 3 Fights: Carlston Harris (2-1-0)
2023-08-05: W vs. [#59WW] Jeremiah Wells (12-4-1) via Technical Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 1:50 of round 3
2023-03-11: W vs. [#62WW] Jared Gooden (23-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2022-02-05: L vs. [#5WW] Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0-0) via KO (Spinning Hook Kick and Punches) in 4:10 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Kalinn Williams (2-1-0)
2023-05-06: W vs. [#168WW] Rolando Bedoya (14-3-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
2022-05-07: L vs. [#23WW] Randy Brown (18-5-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
2021-11-13: W vs. [*] Miguel Baeza (10-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:02 of round 3

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Kalinn Williams	-142		56.12%
Elo K170	Carlston Harris	1886.25	+136.39	68.68%
Elo Modified	Carlston Harris	1884.04	+140.04	69.13%
Glicko-1	Carlston Harris	1937.50	+155.94	71.05%
WHR	Carlston Harris	1943.64	+305.55	85.31%

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Carlston Harris 287, Kalinn Williams 378
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Carlston Harris leads 1-0
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Women Strawweight (115)
[#9] Angela Hill (16-13-0, -157) vs. [#29] Luana Pinheiro (11-2-0, +130)

Last 3 Fights: Angela Hill (2-1-0)
2023-11-04: W vs. [#19SW] Denise Gomes (8-3-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2023-05-20: L vs. [#8SW] Mackenzie Dern (13-5-0) via UD (49-44, 49-44, 49-43)
2022-12-03: W vs. [#21SW] Emily Ducote (13-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Last 3 Fights: Luana Pinheiro (2-1-0)
2023-11-18: L vs. [#14FLY] Amanda Ribas (12-5-0) via TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick and Punches) in 3:53 of round 3
2023-04-08: W vs. [#54SW] Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-12-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-11-20: W vs. [#49SW] Sam Hughes (8-6-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Angela Hill	-157		58.42%
Elo K170	Angela Hill	1585.39	+110.66	65.41%
Elo Modified	Angela Hill	1637.50	+192.11	75.14%
Glicko-1	Angela Hill	1633.90	+209.18	76.92%
WHR	Angela Hill	1519.59	+153.29	70.73%

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Angela Hill 196, Luana Pinheiro 182
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Luana Pinheiro leads 2-0
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7 Innovative Practices MMA Fighters Are Adopting To Stay Ahead In Training

Posted on May 13, 2024 by A. J. Riot

In MMA, being ahead means always trying to out-think and adjust. MMA fighters’ teaching methods should be modified as the sport progresses. We shall explore some of these state-of-the-art training methods employed by modern-day professional Mixed Martial Arts practitioners to keep pace with the changing times. Current MMA athletes have adopted different approaches for increasing their performance levels and gaining competitive edges; hence, they incorporate advanced technologies and analytics, interdisciplinary training and coaching models, and mental conditioning techniques. Welcome to the realm of MMA training, where we will demystify the recent techniques revolutionizing this fast-paced, incredibly tough game.

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Current MMA Rankings Updated (05-12-2024)

Posted on May 12, 2024 by Jason

This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Jason

Another good week for the “safe” bets, another bad one for the others.

As touched upon in the last post, bets like Tim Means and Karolina K were not wise picks due to their advanced ages (from a professional fighting standpoint). Through some analysis, I’ve discovered that the prime fighting age (by win%) is somewhere around 23. Furthermore, Karolina (38) was 16 years older than her opponent. Historically, a 22 year old has beaten a 38 year old, more than 75% of the time. In the case of betting underdogs especially, I will be factoring this in at some degree. Specifics TBD.

Therefore, I’m going to consider ages when deciding on picks going forward. I am working on an automated method for this, but for now, it will be manual.

Bouts considered must satisfy all of the criteria below:

Both fighters must be active (fought in 360 days prior to event). Reduces uncertainty.
Both fighters must have at least 5 fights, with at least 1 draw or 1 loss (excluding debut). More data makes WHR happy.
Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.

Now for the options…

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Exploring Risk and Thrill: The Intersection of CS:GO Gambling and MMA Fighting

Posted on May 7, 2024 by A. J. Riot

In recent years, the worlds of esports and combat sports have seen a fascinating convergence, particularly in the realm of CS:GO gambling and MMA fighting. The high-stakes nature of crash betting and the adrenaline-fueled excitement of mixed martial arts have drawn a dedicated and passionate fan base. This article explores the intersection of these two seemingly disparate worlds and the unique appeal they hold for thrill-seekers and risk-takers alike.

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Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento (05-11-2024)

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Jason

Heavyweight (265)
[#15] Derrick Lewis (27-12-0, -153) vs. [#23] Rodrigo Nascimento (12-1-0, +125)
Derrick Lewis is the All-Time #25 ranked Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Derrick Lewis (1-2-0)
2023-11-04: L vs. [#8HW+] Jailton Almeida (20-3-0) via UD (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)
2023-07-29: W vs. [#24HW+] Marcos Rogerio de Lima (22-9-1) via TKO (Punches) in 0:33 of round 1
2023-02-04: L vs. [#10HW+] Sergey Spivak (16-4-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 3:05 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Rodrigo Nascimento (3-0-0)
2023-11-04: W vs. [#54HW+] Dontale Mayes (11-7-0) via UD ()
2023-05-20: W vs. [#25HW+] Ilir Latifi (16-9-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2022-09-17: W vs. [#68LHW] Tanner Boser (21-10-1) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Derrick Lewis	-153		57.63%
Elo K170	Derrick Lewis	1764.71	+21.43	53.08%
Elo Modified	Derrick Lewis	1789.57	+85.71	62.09%
Glicko-1	Derrick Lewis	1832.73	+120.95	66.73%
WHR	Derrick Lewis	1707.73	+31.91	54.58%

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Derrick Lewis 189, Rodrigo Nascimento 189
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Derrick Lewis leads 2-1
.

Welterweight (170)
[#12] Joaquin Buckley (18-6-0, -153) vs. [#46MW] Nursulton Ruziboev (34-8-2, +127)

Last 3 Fights: Joaquin Buckley (3-0-0)
2024-03-30: W vs. [#16WW] Vicente Luque (22-10-1) via TKO (Punches) in 3:17 of round 2
2023-10-07: W vs. [#35WW] Alex Morono (24-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
2023-05-20: W vs. [#79WW] Andre Fialho (16-8-0) via TKO (Head Kick) in 4:15 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Nursulton Ruziboev (3-0-0)
2024-03-30: W vs. [#134MW] Sedriques Dumas (10-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:18 of round 1
2023-07-01: W vs. [#52MW] Brunno Ferreira (11-1-0) via TKO in 1:17 of round 1
2022-04-10: W vs. [*] Paval Masalski (14-17-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 2:25 of round 1

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Joaquin Buckley	-153		57.85%
Elo K170	Joaquin Buckley	1963.90	+188.72	74.77%
Elo Modified	Joaquin Buckley	1947.86	+165.85	72.21%
Glicko-1	Joaquin Buckley	2025.23	+142.38	69.42%
WHR	Joaquin Buckley	1813.21	+5.26	50.76%

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Joaquin Buckley 42, Nursulton Ruziboev 42
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Light Heavyweight (205)
[#18] Alonzo Menifield (15-3-1, +172) vs. [#33] Carlos Ulberg (10-1-0, -214)

Last 3 Fights: Alonzo Menifield (2-0-1)
2023-12-16: W vs. [#24LHW] Dustin Jacoby (19-8-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-07-08: W vs. [#44LHW] Jimmy Crute (12-4-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:55 of round 2
2023-02-11: D vs. [#44LHW] Jimmy Crute (12-4-1) via Draw (Majority) in 5:00 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Carlos Ulberg (3-0-0)
2023-09-09: W vs. [#53LHW] Da Woon Jung (15-5-1) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 4:49 of round 3
2023-05-13: W vs. [#79MW] Ihor Potieria (25-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:09 of round 1
2022-11-12: W vs. [*] Nicolae Negumereanu (13-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:44 of round 1

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Carlos Ulberg	-214		64.96%
Elo K170	Alonzo Menifield	1818.36	+67.13	59.54%
Elo Modified	Alonzo Menifield	1855.90	+78.72	61.14%
Glicko-1	Alonzo Menifield	1894.14	+84.27	61.90%
WHR	Carlos Ulberg	1779.00	+47.93	56.85%

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alonzo Menifield 147, Carlos Ulberg 245
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Current MMA Rankings Updated (05-05-2024)

Posted on May 5, 2024 by Jason

This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Jason

Another not so great week… but like every gambler in the red, I just can’t stop.

Since the “smart” parlay is supposed to be smart, I’ve been hesitant to post some of the underdogs the associated query has chosen recently. Why? Because often, the rating systems favor proven older betting underdogs on the tail-end of their career, rather than good, only somewhat proven younger fighters entering their prime. In this regard, the smart parlay is well… kind of dumb and the betters aren’t. Every year of age advantage for the younger fighter results in ~1.2% additional chance of winning. I am considering implementing this somehow, but I don’t always have birth dates for fighters and it further complicates things. We’ll see.

Bouts considered must satisfy all of the criteria below:

Both fighters must be active (fought in 360 days prior to event). Reduces uncertainty.
Both fighters must have at least 5 fights, with at least 1 draw or 1 loss (excluding debut). More data makes WHR happy.
Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.

Now for the options…

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MMA athletes who invest in crypto

Posted on April 29, 2024 by A. J. Riot

MMA athletes who invest in cryptocurrency are part of a growing trend that reflects the increasing popularity of digital assets among professional athletes. Several notable MMA fighters have invested in cryptocurrency, with some even opting to receive their fight earnings in Bitcoin. Here are some examples:

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