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MMA Link Club: Money at sportsbooks heading towards Mayhem

By Zach Arnold | December 2, 2011

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This Saturday’s show at 8 PM EST/PST? on Spike TV:

Dark matches

Main card

Originally, Mr. Bisping was a -200 (2 to 1) favorite and that number has climbed down as low as -165 on some ‘books. It’s pretty incredible, actually, given that most likely he will win a decision after five rounds. Remember all the hooting and hollering about five round fights during Shogun/Henderson? I could be wrong (and probably so), but there are some fights where 5 rounds isn’t going to be pretty to watch at the end. Not every fight under five rounds is going to be a world-beater like Michael Chandler/Eddie Alvarez.

Member sites of the MMA Link Club

This week’s MMA Link Club featured stories

Five Ounces of Pain: Michael Bisping says loss to Dan Henderson ws the best thing to ever happen to him

I guess we all need to be remembered for something before we leave this Earth.

MMA Fighting: Despite owning Strikeforce, Dana White hasn’t changed stance on women’s MMA

There’s been a great debate this week, lead by our friend Robert Joyner, on Ronda Rousey’s selfish-promotional behavior and whether or not she should be rewarded for it. Luca Fury is asking why women aren’t merited first for their skill rather than their looks. We all the know. Dana White looks at women’s MMA like Vince McMahon looks at women’s wrestling. Vince McMahon has his reasons for not promoting a Japanese-style women’s wrestling product and instead opts for taking women, pushing them as Barbie dolls, and making them boring in two minute matches where the only concern is just how bad someone is going to blow a spot and hurt themselves or their opponent in a match. Dana White has little to no desire to see women punching each other and he would only push a female fighter if he thought they could make money for him. He doesn’t look at pushing women’s MMA in an altruistic manner.

Plus, last night news broke that Luke Rockhold will now be fighting Keith Jardine instead of Tim Kennedy for the SF Middleweight belt because Tim’s hurt. For one reason or another, people are appalled that Jardine is getting a title shot while Jacare Souza is not. If Zuffa management is half-hearted in caring about Strikeforce, why should you be surprised? Do you think there’s going to be a spontaneous uproar from casual MMA fans across the States ready to picket Zuffa HQ in Las Vegas over this matchmaking?

Fightline: Tito Ortiz wants to be called ‘The People’s Champ’ now

WWE and Rock called. They want you to shut up before they file a lawsuit for gimmick infringement.

Cage Potato: Heavyweight ‘Cop vs. Con’ match-up added to DREAM NYE Saitama Super Arena show between Brett Rogers and Tim Sylvia

Is Real Entertainment trying to get me to beg for Fedor vs. Ishii to happen after all? What a wretched fight to book. Let’s throw in Todd Duffee as special guest enforcer.

Will Brett even be able to train in time to make the booking now that he’s in jail?

MMA Mania: Cotto vs. Margarito 1 fight: controversy mars back-and-forth ‘battle’ for the ages

Brittney Palmer ‘going to art school’ and now officially returning is a ‘controversy.’ Margarito allegedly using a plaster-like substance on hand wraps to fight Cotto and embrace calling himself a ‘criminal’ in the pre-fight press conference? That’s not a controversy, that’s far worse. What a moment for the New York State Athletic Commission to sanction this fght for MSG.

Bonus MMA Mania article: Tony Ferguson dresses and fights to win all the time

ne of the guys I fought before, he messages me and tells me, “Good luck, Tony,” on my Facebook wall. What kind of former opponent does that? The guy that beat you and probably took your chance of going to The Ultimate Fighter? It’s all about sportsmanship and that’s what I’m trying to keep holding on to that torch. When I see Yves Edwards and Aaron Riley, they’re the sport, man. They don’t trash talk and they don’t do anything else. They hold this sport on their shoulders very well and that’s all I hope I can do.

5th Round: 2011 World MMA award winners

I think Eric Del Fierro’s had a pretty awesome year, don’t you?

Bleacher Report: While Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a dying art in the sport of MMA

Without diving any deeper into the subject, it would be easy to think that BJJ is losing its utility in the sport. However, doing that wouldn’t be giving a major component of the sport its proper justice. The biggest reason that BJJ is no longer as dominant as it once was is simply that everyone is training it. You’d be hard-pressed to find any fighter that competes in MMA that doesn’t drill the art at least once or twice a week. With this growth, even athletes who don’t consider BJJ their base are learning to defend against the once lethal attacks of the seasoned veterans. Wrestlers are no longer a fish out of water off their backs, and strikers don’t panic when the fight hits the ground.

Middle Easy: Ronda Rousey’s inner fangirl comes out when she meets Chael Sonnen for the first time

Can someone please explain to me the online female MMA fan attraction to Sonnen? There’s no there there, as Gertrude Stein would say. It’s predictable but still ridiculous that an admitted criminal and testosterone user is celebrated,

Lowkick: Jon Jones fearless ahead of Lyoto Machida fight

He’s favored by over 80% to win the fight. The kinds of fight odds on his bouts would make Georges St. Pierre blush now.

The biggest difference was i had to find a lot of southpaws to work with and what I basically did was use the guys that I already had and I had to mimic their styles to the best of my ability. Everything else has been pretty much the same. I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve trained better and I eat better and I picked up the knowledge of the Ryan Bader camp, the Shogun camp and the Rampage camp and I’ve picked up so much and everything is in order.

The Fight Nerd: Zach Makovsky talks upcoming fight with Eduardo Dantas & more

That’s going to be a great fight. I thought Zach did well with his guest spot on color commentary last weekend. Dantas beating Alexis Vila got lost in the media fog because of Ballgate with Eric Prindle putting a picture of his swollen testicles on Twitter to prove that he wasn’t lying about the impact of the soccer ball kick to the nuts that Thiago Santos gave him. Chris Nelson of Sherdog said it best — Thiago must have had a flashback to Rio Heroes rules at that moment during the fight.

MMA Convert (Jim Genia): Expect Mayhem to choke out Bisping

If there were lessons about douchey-ness that needed to be learned after his first stint as TUF coach, Bisping absolutely did not heed them. He’s still one of the most unlikeable persons on the planet when the cameras are rolling. Which isn’t such a bad thing in this instance, as the heat between him and opposing coach Miller hovered around nil all season yet people will still tune in to watch the cocky, self-centered Brit get his ass kicked by the goofy, always-smiling guy standing on the other side of the cage. In terms of skills, everyone knows how well-rounded Bisping is when fists and takedowns start flying. Mayhem is well-rounded too, although his jiu-jitsu is top notch – and that, coupled with his aggressive style, gives him the edge over the Brit. This one is ending via rear naked choke, and it sure ain’t gonna be Michael Bisping who’ll be cinching in that choke.

MMA Payout: Survey says UFC has growth potential but some still skeptical

When Zuffa can figure out how to increase the % of revenue from the non-PPV side of things in their business model, the more stable the organization will become and the less volatility there will be.

Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 29 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

29 Responses to “MMA Link Club: Money at sportsbooks heading towards Mayhem”

  1. fd says:

    “Dana White looks at women’s MMA like Vince McMahon looks at women’s wrestling. Vince McMahon has his reasons for not promoting a Japanese-style women’s wrestling product and instead opts for taking women, pushing them as Barbie dolls, and making them boring in two minute matches where the only concern is just how bad someone is going to blow a spot and hurt themselves or their opponent in a match. Dana White has little to no desire to see women punching each other and he would only push a female fighter if he thought they could make money for him. He doesn’t look at pushing women’s MMA in an altruistic manner.”

    Zach, this is a really bizarre way to look at things. First of all, you don’t think Dana thinks Gina Carano could make money for him? She sure as hell made money for Strikeforce.

    Dana has consistently said that he doesn’t promote women’s mma because currently there just isn’t enough talent in each weight division to have a full, robust division, and regardless of whether you think that’s his “real reason”, do you honestly disagree? Likening his declining to promote female mma at all to Vince promoting an exclusively T&A based female wrestling is bizarre.

    Also –

    “MMA Convert (Jim Genia): Expect Michael Bisping to choke out Mayhem Miller”
    Did you actually read the article? Genia is predicting the exact opposite.

    Ed. — I did read the article and totally misread it. Thank you for catching this. I am appreciative to no end.

    • Zach Arnold says:

      Zach, this is a really bizarre way to look at things. First of all, you don’t think Dana thinks Gina Carano could make money for him? She sure as hell made money for Strikeforce.

      Dana has consistently said that he doesn’t promote women’s mma because currently there just isn’t enough talent in each weight division to have a full, robust division, and regardless of whether you think that’s his “real reason”, do you honestly disagree? Likening his declining to promote female mma at all to Vince promoting an exclusively T&A based female wrestling is bizarre.

      We’re actually in agreement but talking past each other.

      I am saying Dana will only push someone like Gina or Ronda if he can make money, but he’s not going to push women’s MMA simply for the sake of doing it because ‘it’s the right thing to do’ like many women’s MMA fans want him to do.

      Same deal with Vince and women’s wrestling. He booked Japanese girls in the mid-90s and Aja Kong worked so damn stiff on Chapparita ASARI that he reportedly freaked out.

      Hence, his ‘vision’ of women’s wrestling is the abomination that it is now with barbie dolls and Johnny Ace out there recruiting catalog models.

      • frankp316 says:

        Gina Carano was made a star by Gary Shaw at EliteXC, not Strikeforce. When White says that he doesn’t want women in the UFC, he’s lying. He doesn’t like watching it but he can’t say that anymore because he knows it’s not acceptable. Ronda is a problem because she has star power. Even he looks at her and sees $$$$$. He may not have to worry about it if he can work out a deal with Showtime. Supposedly they’re haggling about the number of shows in the contract. BTW, Zach forgot to mention that Aja Kong broke ASARI’s nose with a spinning backfist on 1995 episode of Raw. But that’s not what ended the deal. Aja was supposed to feud with then WWE Women’s champ Allundra Blayze. But those idiots forgot to renew Allundra’s contract and she trashed the belt on WCW Nitro.

  2. 45 Huddle says:

    1) I think Dana White’s opinion on Women’s MMA is spot on. There just isn’t enough depth.

    And if there ever is enough depth, I hope they have their own league. If I want to watch women, I will do so. If I want to watch men, I will do so. But mixing them together on the sme card, I do not like.

    I read that somebody was making a comparison of Dana White to the schmuck in NY trying to keep MMA illegal, when it came to female MMA. I thought that comparison was just terrible. White isn’t asking for it to be illegal. He’s saying it needs to mature more (if ever) before it is really worth putting it on the main stage on a consistent basis.

    2) Why would anybody be picking Mayhem Miller to beat Michael Bisping? That’s a horrible bet.

    3) Why are MMA websites covering boxing? I see Brenthouse on BE doing it as well. If I want to get boxing coverage, I will got to a boxing website. Keep boxing off the MMA websites. When I go to a boxing website, I don’t want to read about MMA either.

    4) Rockhold vs. Jardine….. now that is a seriously awesome title fight for the ages between two top level guys. But seriously, it shows that the UFC has plans for the rest of these guys in the UFC, and doesn’t want to mess it up on Showtime.

    5) Any word on MMA on Showtime in 2012? M-1’s last show is happening soon, and I doubt they will be picked up for next year, especially since they didn’t even pick up Fedor/Monson. I wonder if Zuffa could pull off Female MMA and lower level prospect guys to the Showtime brass….. Should be interesting.

  3. EJ says:

    “Can someone please explain to me the online female MMA fan attraction to Sonnen? There’s no there there, as Gertrude Stein would say. It’s predictable but still ridiculous that an admitted criminal and testosterone user is celebrated.”

    Sure as soon as you and the other Sonnen haters explain the irrational hate that you continue to spew against the guy. Seriously it’s hilarious to watch fans and writers fall for him gimmick hook, line and sinker at every turn. It just goes to show just how good he is at playing the role and the more real hate that comes his way because of his act the more success and fame it’s bringing him which is the opposite of what you people want.

    • edub says:

      As soon as I read Zach’s opinion, I knew you’d be there to comment; ole faithful.

    • Zach Arnold says:

      Someone who’s an admitted criminal, ruled by California to be a drug cheat, and is a one-trick gimmick pony that’s as fake as breast implants?

      His behavior should not be rewarded.

      • EJ says:

        Yeah I mean how in the world can the mma world justify letting a man so dangerous in the sport think of the children smmfh. Give me a break Zach the fact that that’s the type of spin you keep putting out as justification because you’ve fallen for Sonnen’s gimmick is embarrasing.

        Once you actually look at the facts and not the bs, you see that all of those claims are a joke and not a real reason to be hatefull towards the guy. Yet time and time again the one trick gimmick continues to get under your skin and continues to look the better for it. As long as you keep falling for the gimmick by showing such ridiculous emotions he wins and is laughing all the way to the bank and then some.

  4. edub says:

    -I got Bisping at -170. Pretty excited about those odds. I think he completely embarrassas Miller ala GSP.

    -Women’s MMA is women’s boxing with an even less amount of talent. Zuffa could try and grow it, but why do that when there is one star (Carano, who doesn’t fight), one popular fighter (Cyborg,and she has nobody to fight) and one on the verge of popularity (Rousey, my future wife)? What data do they have that women in a combat sport can continually draw decent enough numbers? What data is there for any sport outside of tennis and olympic/worldcup soccer?

    -Chael is just riding a wave of popularity right now. His schtick is working, as it appeals to a lot of people. There have been worse individuals that have gained fans throughout sports and entertainment. Hell, Michael Jackson has been revered and cried over for the past two years and his doctor that accidentally let him OD is a social pariah, and it is most likely (not a definite) that he molested multiple little boys.

    -Let The Rock and Tito fight for the moniker. I think dwayne might actually have a chance. Let it be at HW.

    -I still think Margarito should never be licensed to fight again in the US (ala Luis Resto). However, the build up to the fight has been more than entertaining. They have taken two guys who are both past their prime, and fighting at a weight class beyond what their best at (for a “world title” no less) and made it a must see affair.

    I don’t mind MMA websites covering boxing and visa versa. I might be in the minority though.

    -Rockhold vs. Jardine, even Robbie would have been better.

    • 45 Huddle says:

      http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/12/2/2604942/cotto-vs-margarito-2-the-story-the-preview-and-the-prognostications

      Articles like this…. on MMA websites no less…. Are just taking swipes at MMA to prop up boxing. That’s not needed.

      It seems like the UFC has no competition left in MMA, so now websites are even bringing up other sports in order to put down it’s fighters.

      • nottheface says:

        So is the boxing site Bad Left Hook trying to prop up MMA and bring down boxing when they post a link to the Eddie Alverez/ Michael Chandler fight because ” a great fight’s a great fight”? Or how about all the sites that linked to my piece on Nick Diaz’s techniques, are they trying to bring down boxing?

        I think Castillo is just a fight fan that wanted to write something about what is easily the most interesting and important event in the prizefighting this week. I don’t see why there has to be some kind of Manichean conflict between the two.

        • 45 Huddle says:

          Does anybody even read Bad Left Hook?

          Refering to Bisping/Miller: “The fight itself might be compelling, but the theatrics are defiantly not. Which brings us to a rivalry that boils on the opposite end of the spectrum.”

          What’s the point of this comment? Heck, what’s the point of the first two paragraphs of the article? If it’s a boxing article, then keep MMA out of it. The fact that Bisping/Miller is on the same day has really no relevence to the boxing discussion.

          If they want to post some boxing articles, it’s not the end of the world. I don’t prefer it, but whatever….

          However, I don’t need to read about MMA’s perceived shortcomings when I’m reading about an upcoming boxing fight.

          The examples you post about Chandler/Alvarez would be to praise MMA on a boxing website. The article I posted bashes MMA to then praise boxing. It’s just garbage.

          There is a constant theme amongst bad MMA writers that they have to have something to compare the UFC to. First it was Pride. Then it was the IFL, Affliction, Bodog, and others. Then it was Strikeforce until the buyout.

          With nobody left, now they need to bring in a different sport more and more in order to put down a UFC fight.

          It’s stretching.

          Once again…. If they want to post a few boxing articles, thats one thing…. But don’t sh!t on the UFC in order to build up boxing on a MMA website.

        • nottheface says:

          You are obviously not familiar with Castillo’s work (you can’t be to have called him a bad writer ,especially in light of his work on concussions), nor read his earlier piece on story telling in MMA. This was pretty much a continuation of the ideas he brought up in “Explaining the Disappointment: MMA Doesn’t Always Tell a Story”.

          And if BLH can rip into boxing promoters while praising Dana White as being “a far better promoter than anyone currently working in boxing” shouldn’t MMA fans be able to accept the same level of introspection? I don’t see the need for the insecurity.

        • edub says:

          -Badlefthook is the second best boxing blog site on the internet, just behind Queensberry-rules (I am admittedly biased).

          -nottheface, stop stealing my material on Nick Diaz :)! Completely joking, it’s good to see more people realizing the kind of skills he brings in the boxing department.

          -Some people will always get bent out of shape when it comes to writers downgrading the matchmaking and business side of MMA (especially the UFC). Honestly, I don’t agree with Castillo’s POV but it’s his opinion. And he was just pointing out the UFC’s shortcomings he perceives.

        • Dave says:

          You shouldn’t have to read a MMA blogger’s life’s work to “get” an article they post. Maybe it’s just me, but my eyes glaze over at each new Castillo “hey guys, concussions suck” article.

          Not a comment on the writing or quality, but just, christ, again?

        • 45 Huddle says:

          I don’t care what this guys previous work is.

          The UFC has absolutely nothing to do with the boxing match on Saturday. And vise versa. There is zero correlation between the 2 except that they happen to fall on the same day.

          The UFC shouldn’t have even been mentioned in the article. It’s just bad writing at this point. And it’s pretty obvious why the guy did it. It was just to take a shot at the UFC.

      • Zheroen says:

        Oh, the HUMANITY!

  5. Jim says:

    On my Sports Options live odds feed screen the indication is that 66% of the incoming wagers are on Mayhem. That’s not an exact figure (long story) but typically helpful as a guide to figuring out which way the ‘public’ was betting. Currently I’m not seeing a price lower than -180 on Bisping and there’s even a few -200 prices out there still (Southpoint in Las Vegas for example).

    The real indication of ‘wise guy’ sentiment will come tomorrow–most sportsbooks raise their limits to $10k on the day of the fight and that’s when the ‘sharps’ start playing. I know several guys who are considered to be very sharp at MMA who like Mayhem here, more due to the price than anything intrinsic in this matchup. Whether their position reflects a larger sentiment remains to be seen, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see a significant move toward Mayhem tomorrow. The way I view this fight is that it’s more of an even matchup than the odds suggest which makes the underdog Mayhem the value play.

  6. Jim Allcorn says:

    I think WAY too many folks here are selling Miller short based on his lone UFC appearence years ago & the loss to Shields a year or so ago. But, let’s keep that in context because “Mayhem” was a kid vs CSP & outside of Hendo’s first round, Miller was a lot more competitive against Shield’s than Henderson was.
    I believe that Miller’s going to totally take Bisping out of his gameplan early on, get him more than a bit frustated & capitalize via submission victory.

    • Steve4192 says:

      I think most people are selling Mayhem short because he hasn’t beaten anyone worth a damn since Robbie Lawler back in 2006, and he hasn’t even fought in the last year. At this point in his career, he is better known for the stuff he does outside the ring/cage than anything he has done inside it.

  7. Jim Allcorn says:

    I LOVE it!!!

    Bisping’s missed weight & cursed out the crowd at the weigh in.
    Miller already has him beaten mentally & emotionally, all he’s got to do tomorrow night is finish the job by beating him physically. Which he WILL do.

  8. Megatherium says:

    Bisping has embraced his heel persona and is just gonna run with it. Hopefully he smashes Mayhem.

    I think he will.

  9. Jonathan says:

    I am going to choose Miller over Bisping.

  10. spacedog says:

    I have no idea why so many people were choosing Miller. Has not fought in a year, has been fighting cans, never fought the level of fighters Bisping has . . . Bisping is better than people give him credit for and he showed it again tonight.

  11. Jim Allcorn says:

    Yep.
    Not that anyone cares, I’m sure…

    But, when I’m wrong, I’m wrong. And I own up to it.
    Especially, when I’m as HORRIBLY wrong as I was about Bisping-Miller.
    Bisping was a complete pro & on a totally different level than Mayhem last night. He’s definitely under-rated & one of the best pure boxers in MMA, right up there with J2S skills-wise.
    Miller?
    Absolutely outclassed & done in by the moment. WAY too keyed up & his flailing at Bisping while the fight was standing was below sub-novice level boxing & his groundwork was disappointing as well.
    Still love him, but he was overwhelmed last night. Hopefully he’ll be able to get a couple of wins under his belt before moving up in class again, but I don’t see any title runs in his future. At this point, I’m just hoping to see him find a nice mid-card role for himself for a few years.

  12. Light23 says:

    “Can someone please explain to me the online female MMA fan attraction to Sonnen?”

    Not a female but…

    [x] Good looking/handsome
    [x] Supremely confident
    [x] Gift of the gab
    [x] Hilariously funny
    [x] Fights in a cage for a living
    [x] Views no man as being his superior
    [x] Beat the snot out of the baddest man on the planet

    Nobody would ever be attracted to someone who ticked those boxes, right? 😛

    You have to realise that the rest of the world doesn’t foam at the mouth over Chael’s (alleged) cheating like you Zach!

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