Picture the final week of a training camp. The fighter has been going hard for eight weeks. The weight is close but not there yet. The sparring partners have tested every hole in the game plan. The body is functional but running on depleted reserves, and the most important performance of the past six months is still days away. What happens between the end of camp and fight night, and between fights altogether, often determines more about a fighter’s long-term career arc than anything that happens inside the cage.
This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays (2026/#13)
We’ll hit a dog parlay one of these days….
Fights 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 7 fights in the prior 7 years, including 1+ loss. If the loss was in their debut, then 2+ losses are required.
- Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
- Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.
UFC’s White House Card Moves From Spectacle to Reality
By Zach Rudisin – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
The UFC’s long-awaited White House event, called “Freedom Fights 250,” no longer feels like a wild promotional idea. It now feels real.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump welcomed UFC stars Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira, and Ciryl Gane to the Oval Office to preview the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 card, an event scheduled for June 14 on the White House grounds. The date carries obvious symbolism: Flag Day, Trump’s birthday, and the build-up to America’s 250th anniversary celebration. OutKick reported that Trump described the event as something that has “never happened before” and called it “the greatest show on Earth.”
Andrew Carswell is a combat sports columnist and college writing professor, based in Las Vegas, NV, whose work examines the intersection of fighting, media, business, and culture. His commentary and analysis have been featured in various magazines, newspapers, and media outlets, including Yahoo! News, and USA TODAY. Blending journalistic insight and experience with a fan’s perspective, Carswell writes about the fight game as both a cultural phenomenon and a global business.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland (05-09-2026)
Middleweight Championship (185)
[#3P4P][#4DD][#1][#1UFC] Khamzat Chimaev (15-0-0, -564) vs. [#4][#4UFC] Sean Strickland (30-7-0, +414)
Khamzat Chimaev is the All-Time #14 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Sean Strickland is the All-Time #17 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Khamzat Chimaev (3-0-0)
2025-08-16: W vs. [#9DD][#9P4P][#2MW] Dricus Du Plessis (23-3-0) via UD (50-44, 50-44, 50-44)
2024-10-26: W vs. [#10MW] Robert Whittaker (26-9-0) via Submission (Face Crank) in 3:34 of round 1
2023-10-21: W vs. [#4WW] Kamaru Usman (21-4-0) via MD (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
Last 3 Fights: Sean Strickland (2-1-0)
2026-02-21: W vs. [#9MW] Anthony Hernandez (15-3-0) via NC in 2:33 of round 3
2025-02-08: L vs. [#9DD][#9P4P][#2MW] Dricus Du Plessis (23-3-0) via UD (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
2024-06-01: W vs. [#6LHW] Paulo Costa (16-4-0) via SD (49-46, 50-45, 46-49)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Khamzat Chimaev | -564 | 81.36% | |
| Elo K170 | Khamzat Chimaev | 2400.67 | +201.21 | 76.10% |
| Elo Modified | Khamzat Chimaev | 2339.86 | +172.16 | 72.93% |
| Glicko-1 | Khamzat Chimaev | 2443.19 | +188.84 | 74.78% |
| WHR | Khamzat Chimaev | 2250.51 | +166.82 | 72.32% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Khamzat Chimaev 32.0, Sean Strickland 35.2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Khamzat Chimaev 266, Sean Strickland 77
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Khamzat Chimaev leads 2-0
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Flyweight Championship (125)
[#3DD][#4P4P][#1][#1UFC] Joshua Van (16-2-0, +147) vs. [#3][#3UFC] Tatsuro Taira (18-1-0, -176)
Joshua Van is the All-Time #11 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Tatsuro Taira is the All-Time #17 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Joshua Van (3-0-0)
2025-12-06: W vs. [#10DD][#10P4P][#2FLY] Alexandre Pantoja (30-6-0) via TKO (Arm Injury) in 0:26 of round 1
2025-06-28: W vs. [#7FLY] Brandon Royval (17-9-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2025-06-07: W vs. [#30FLY] Bruno Silva (15-9-2) via TKO (Punches) in 4:01 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Tatsuro Taira (2-1-0)
2025-12-06: W vs. [#8FLY] Brandon Moreno (23-10-2) via TKO (Punches) in 2:24 of round 2
2025-08-02: W vs. [#75FLY] Hyun Sung Park (10-2-0) via Submission (Face Crank) in 1:06 of round 2
2024-10-12: L vs. [#7FLY] Brandon Royval (17-9-0) via SD (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Tatsuro Taira | -176 | 61.16% | |
| Elo K170 | Joshua Van | 2116.14 | +118.65 | 66.44% |
| Elo Modified | Joshua Van | 2043.32 | +41.04 | 55.88% |
| Glicko-1 | Joshua Van | 2124.85 | +15.97 | 52.30% |
| WHR | Tatsuro Taira | 1936.96 | +98.88 | 63.86% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Joshua Van 24.5, Tatsuro Taira 26.3
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Joshua Van 154, Tatsuro Taira 154
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Joshua Van leads 2-1
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Heavyweight (265)
[#3][#3UFC] Alexander Volkov (39-11-0, -179) vs. [#7][#6UFC] Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-2-0, +150)
Alexander Volkov is the All-Time #25 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Alexander Volkov (2-1-0)
2025-10-25: W vs. [#8HW+] Jailton Almeida (22-5-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2024-12-07: L vs. [#1HW+] Ciryl Gane (13-2-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2024-06-22: W vs. [#4HW+] Sergei Pavlovich (20-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Waldo Cortes-Acosta (3-0-0)
2026-01-24: W vs. [#17HW+] Derrick Lewis (29-13-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:14 of round 2
2025-11-22: W vs. [#44HW+] Shamil Gaziev (14-3-0) via KO (Punch) in 1:22 of round 1
2025-11-01: W vs. [#19HW+] Ante Delija (26-8-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:59 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Alexander Volkov | -179 | 61.59% | |
| Elo K170 | Alexander Volkov | 2113.59 | +83.77 | 61.83% |
| Elo Modified | Alexander Volkov | 2101.16 | +63.56 | 59.05% |
| Glicko-1 | Alexander Volkov | 2191.29 | +74.86 | 60.61% |
| WHR | Alexander Volkov | 2004.06 | +101.67 | 64.23% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Alexander Volkov 37.5, Waldo Cortes-Acosta 34.6
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexander Volkov 196, Waldo Cortes-Acosta 105
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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The Psychology of Risk in MMA Fandom and Online Casino Entertainment
Risk fascinates people. It sits at the core of both combat sports and gambling. In mixed martial arts, fans watch combatants test their physical boundaries. At online casinos, gamblers risk their funds rather than their muscle. The feeling, though, is often the same – excitement, tension, and anticipation. Knowing why people like to take risks can help us understand the connection between MMA fandom and casino entertainment. Both reward risk-taking. Both involve unpredictable outcomes. And both rely on psychological triggers that keep audiences engaged. Recent behavioral studies suggest that around 65% of sports fans report increased excitement when there is financial or emotional risk involved. This connection between uncertainty and engagement drives both industries forward.
McGregor Beyond the Octagon — A Business Empire
There are fighters who win titles. And then there’s Conor Anthony McGregor — a man who has turned an Irish accent, unwavering faith and a left hand into one of the planet’s most recognizable personal brands. He turned the fight into the world’s best marketing strategy, from €188 per week of prosperity to an empire of ~ €170 million. He was born in Crumlin, Dublin. He spent his teenage years as an apprentice plumber, raising €188 a week for social needs during training at Straight Blast Gym. He named his yacht 188. This detail alone will tell you everything about who McGregor is.
His professional MMA record is 22 wins and 6 losses. He became the first fighter in UFC history to own two championship belts at the same time — featherweight and lightweight. He headlined the highest-grossing combat sports event in history against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017, raising more than €85 million from a single night. Yet by any measure, the fight game is no longer his primary business.
This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays (2026/#12)
We’ll hit a dog parlay one of these days….
Fights 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 7 fights in the prior 7 years, including 1+ loss. If the loss was in their debut, then 2+ losses are required.
- Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
- Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.
How to Make Money Betting on MMA and UFC Online
The global MMA betting market generates billions in annual turnover, and UFC events alone drive more wagering volume than most major tennis tournaments. Three distinct revenue models exist in this space: active betting, affiliate marketing, and agent programs. Each carries a different risk profile and requires a different skill set.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates (05-02-2026)
Welterweight (170)
[#3][#3UFC] Jack Della Maddalena (18-3-0, -101) vs. [#7][#7UFC] Carlos Prates (23-7-0, -120)
Jack Della Maddalena is the All-Time #19 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Jack Della Maddalena (2-1-0)
2025-11-15: L vs. [#1P4P][#1WW] Islam Makhachev (28-1-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2025-05-10: W vs. [#6WW] Belal Muhammad (24-5-0) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 48-47)
2024-03-09: W vs. [#35WW] Gilbert Burns (22-10-0) via KO (Knee and Elbows) in 3:43 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Carlos Prates (2-1-0)
2025-11-15: W vs. [#9WW] Leon Edwards (22-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:28 of round 2
2025-08-16: W vs. [#25WW] Geoff Neal (16-8-0) via KO (Spinning Back Elbow) in 4:59 of round 1
2025-04-26: L vs. [#5WW] Ian Garry (17-1-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Carlos Prates | -120 | 52.05% | |
| Elo K170 | Jack Della Maddalena | 2272.75 | +124.74 | 67.22% |
| Elo Modified | Jack Della Maddalena | 2171.14 | +57.80 | 58.24% |
| Glicko-1 | Jack Della Maddalena | 2256.95 | +29.96 | 54.30% |
| WHR | Carlos Prates | 2051.80 | +93.12 | 63.09% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Jack Della Maddalena 29.6, Carlos Prates 32.7
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jack Della Maddalena 168, Carlos Prates 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Lightweight (155)
[#12][#11UFC] Beneil Dariush (23-7-1, +348) vs. [#30][#20UFC] Quillan Salkilld (11-1-0, -464)
Beneil Dariush is the All-Time #36 ranked Lightweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Beneil Dariush (1-2-0)
2025-11-15: L vs. [#7LW] Benoit St. Denis (17-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:16 of round 1
2025-06-28: W vs. [#10LW] Renato Carneiro (21-7-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-12-02: L vs. [#3LW] Arman Tsarukyan (23-3-0) via KO (Knee and Punches) in 1:04 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Quillan Salkilld (3-0-0)
2026-01-31: W vs. [#148LW] Jamie Mullarkey (18-9-0) via Submission (Neck Crank) in 3:02 of round 1
2025-10-25: W vs. [#63LW] Nasrat Haqparast (18-6-0) via KO (Head Kick) in 2:30 of round 1
2025-06-07: W vs. [#214LW] Yanal Ashmouz (9-2-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Quillan Salkilld | -464 | 78.65% | |
| Elo K170 | Beneil Dariush | 2029.90 | +191.41 | 75.06% |
| Elo Modified | Beneil Dariush | 1993.24 | +149.16 | 70.23% |
| Glicko-1 | Beneil Dariush | 2036.51 | +179.09 | 73.71% |
| WHR | Beneil Dariush | 1908.57 | +150.33 | 70.38% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Beneil Dariush 37.0, Quillan Salkilld 26.3
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Beneil Dariush 168, Quillan Salkilld 91
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Flyweight (125)
[#11][#10UFC] Tim Elliott (21-13-1, +316) vs. [#12][#11UFC] Steve Erceg (13-4-0, -412)
Tim Elliott is the All-Time #50 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Tim Elliott (2-1-0)
2025-08-16: W vs. [#27FLY] Kai Asakura (21-6-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 4:39 of round 2
2023-12-09: W vs. [#33FLY] Su Mudaerji (19-7-0) via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 4:02 of round 1
2023-10-21: L vs. [#10FLY] Muhammad Mokaev (16-0-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 3:03 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Steve Erceg (1-2-0)
2025-08-09: W vs. [#59FLY] Ode Osbourne (13-10-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2025-03-29: L vs. [#8FLY] Brandon Moreno (23-10-2) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
2024-08-17: L vs. [#9FLY] Kai Kara-France (25-12-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:04 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Steve Erceg | -412 | 76.99% | |
| Elo K170 | Tim Elliott | 1848.77 | +148.68 | 70.18% |
| Elo Modified | Tim Elliott | 1814.63 | +104.54 | 64.61% |
| Glicko-1 | Tim Elliott | 1875.34 | +158.84 | 71.39% |
| WHR | Tim Elliott | 1799.09 | +191.08 | 75.02% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Tim Elliott 39.3, Steve Erceg 30.7
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Tim Elliott 259, Steve Erceg 266
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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From Suffocation to Sudden Knockout: A Night of Contrasts at UFC VEGAS 116
LAS VEGAS, NV – UFC Vegas 116 unfolded as a card defined not by chaos alone, but by the balance between control and calculated violence. Inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday night, fighters across the lineup demonstrated a clear evolution in approach, blending discipline with opportunistic aggression, in performances that revealed where the sport currently stands.
In the main event, Aljamain Sterling (26-5-0) delivered a performance that reinforced his position among the elite, and brought back visions of Aljo in his prime. Facing Youssef Zalal (18-6-1) in a pivotal featherweight matchup, Sterling relied on his grappling pedigree and positional awareness to dictate the fight from start to finish. Over the course of five rounds, he repeatedly grounded Zalal, controlled him from dominant positions, and limited his ability to mount sustained offense. The judges’ unanimous decision reflected the tone of the contest, as Sterling’s experience and composure proved decisive in a bout that gradually shifted from competitive to controlled.
Andrew Carswell is a combat sports columnist and college writing professor, based in Las Vegas, NV, whose work examines the intersection of fighting, media, business, and culture. His commentary and analysis have been featured in various magazines, newspapers, and media outlets, including Yahoo! News, and USA TODAY. Blending journalistic insight and experience with a fan’s perspective, Carswell writes about the fight game as both a cultural phenomenon and a global business.
The Evolution of MMA: How Modern Fighters Train Smarter, Not Harder
There was a time when MMA training was all about one thing. Whoever suffered the most in camp would be the one still standing on fight night. Hard sparring, endless conditioning, brutal schedules. If a session left you beaten up and barely able to move the next day, people figured it must have been worth it.
That culture produced incredibly tough athletes. It also shortened careers, stacked up injuries, and sent fighters into the cage carrying more damage than they should have been carrying.
Modern MMA has moved on. The sport still demands discipline and an unusual level of commitment. That has not changed. What has changed is how the best fighters think about improvement. More work does not always mean better work. They know that now.
This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays (2026/#11)
We’ll hit a dog parlay one of these days….
Fights 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 7 fights in the prior 7 years, including 1+ loss. If the loss was in their debut, then 2+ losses are required.
- Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
- Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.
Inside the cage and the odds with the best MMA betting strategies
MMA betting has taken off right alongside the sport itself. But winning a bet isn’t as simple as picking the toughest fighter. To really come out ahead, you’ve got to dig into fighting styles, stats and know when to time your bet. Here’s how smart bettors size up fight night.
Mixed martial arts has transformed, moving from its wild and rule-free early days to one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. With promotions like the UFC, fighters have become global celebrities, and fight nights are now major betting events. Throwing down a wager makes the action more intense, but if you don’t have a strategy, it’s easy to get burned.
What sets MMA betting apart from other sports is that you’re betting on individual athletes, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and fighting style. That makes it exciting, and a real challenge to master. If you’re new to MMA betting or simply looking to improve, understanding the main strategies behind solid wagers is where it all starts.
Why I Started Paying Attention to Fighter Stats Before Placing My Bets
I used to bet on MMA fights based on gut feeling, watching highlight reels and deciding this guy looks tougher than that guy. Lost about $340 in three months doing exactly that.
Then I met Carlos at a gym in Tampa back in March 2023. He’d been betting on fights for 7 years while actually making money—he turned $500 into $2,100 over 14 months. When I asked him how, he pulled up this massive spreadsheet with fighter records, striking accuracy, takedown defense rates, everything. He told me to check out Acebet official because they had some of the best odds for smaller promotions. But more importantly, he said I needed to stop betting like an idiot.
So I did.