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Are there more upsets in MMA than in other sports?

732 views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  JimJ 
#1 ·
It seems to me that MMA fights have more upsets than other combative (boxing, etc.) and non-combative sports (basketball, etc.) Granted there are many upsets for collegiate level sports, but on the professional level the number of upsets is dramatically smaller. It seems, however, that in MMA professional level, the number of upsets is equal to or even greater than in other collegiate level sports.

My explanation for this that MMA is most multi-faceted combat sport since it is an amalgamation of many different sports, and thus, there many ways one opponent can exploit another. Combine this aspect of MMA, with the fact that there are many one dimensional fighters, then I can see why there are many upsets.

But what about the well-rounded fighters, who've trained hard and were relatively free of injuries, that still lost to an opponent deemed much inferior in skills? How does one explain those upsets, which I argue, there has been no shortage of in this year.

I'm not arguing there should not be giant upsets of those caliber, but what I am saying is that it appears there are more giant upsets in MMA on average than in other sports. I do have the PRIDE fighters in mind, but perhaps that can be explained away by arguing Pride fighters are more used to Pride rules and fans. But this question is not limited to just the recent Pride upsets, but all upsets (Serra v Hughes, etc., etc.)


Thoughts?
 
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#4 ·
GMW said:
I'd say so.
Tampa Bay regularly beats the Yankees but it isn't considered an upset so i don't know what is an upset in baseball.
Sports like baseball and basketball have so many games played in the season, so upsets are bound to happen on a regular basis. In football however, they play much fewer games so when an upset occurs it's a mugh bigger deal.
 
#5 ·
MMA and football are the same in the sense that so few games are played and each one is cherished.

Just look at whoever is in first place in the MLB standings. Those teams have dozens of losses but they play hundreds of games.

This argues that we make too big a deal out of an MMA upset and I think it may be true.
 
#6 ·
The sport I follow the most is hockey (even above MMA) and the real upsets occur in the playoffs. Before this year, the last ranked team in the playoffs made it to the finals both years (lost but they beat 3 teams in getting there).

Theres' always a cinderella story or two when March Madness hits. Easily the most intriguing storylines that occur then.

But yeah, MMA has them every month. Every event someone wins (either on undercard or maincard) that isn't 'suppose' to. It'd be boring if the 'best' fighter always won. Makes the fight exciting and always shocking.
 
#10 ·
Upsets are good for sports, If the best team or fighter won every time thier would be no reason to watch.

I can't understand how people can be mad that an upset took place. Would they rather see the fights rigged so the better or more popular fighter is gauranteed to win? I definetly wouldn't watch, upsets keep things interesting and in any legit sporting event they are bound to happen. They have always happened and will continue to happen.


MMA definetly has more upsets than boxing. Pro Football and College Basketball have tons of upsets.

College Hoops definetly has more upsets than MMA, thats the only sport that I can think of off the top of my head.
 
#11 ·
Well, if you consider that the UFC is effectivly the play-offs of MMA I'd say thats it pretty even. In most other sports upsets only matter in the playoffs and its more rare to see the #1 seed win in almost any other league than most other seeds.

I think that since its over a longer period of time the impact seems less. If top football teams got eliminated from the playoffs by nobodies every month then you'd feel the same
 
#12 ·
jdun11 said:
bad for MMA thats all im gonna say
Why? Why do you always need the same fighters winning? You should pick favorite fighters based on fighting styles not on their record.
 
#13 ·
robb2140 said:
Upsets are good for sports, If the best team or fighter won every time thier would be no reason to watch.

I can't understand how people can be mad that an upset took place. Would they rather see the fights rigged so the better or more popular fighter is gauranteed to win? I definetly wouldn't watch, upsets keep things interesting and in any legit sporting event they are bound to happen. They have always happened and will continue to happen.
Completely agree. People who bitch about upsets are just pissed that their favorites got spanked by "reality show stars". My favorite fighter is GSP, so I certainly know how that feels, but I didn't turn into a whiny bitch because of it. Even though I'm a huge GSP fan and I hated to see him lose, that fight was a thousand times more memorable and exciting than it would've been if GSP had destroyed Serra like everyone expected.
 
#14 ·
JimJ said:
Completely agree. People who bitch about upsets are just pissed that their favorites got spanked by "reality show stars". My favorite fighter is GSP, so I certainly know how that feels, but I didn't turn into a whiny bitch because of it.
I'm sure you are qualified to speak for everyone who is dissapointed with all the upsets. I know from what I've read that and my own experience that that is not the reason anyone is upset.
 
#15 ·
GMW said:
I'm sure you are qualified to speak for everyone who is dissapointed with all the upsets. I know from what I've read that and my own experience that that is not the reason anyone is upset.
I never claimed to be speaking for anyone, that is just my perception as I can't see any other reason why people would be pissed that MMA is a sport where anyone can win on a given night. To me, the fact that anyone can win makes the sport exciting and gives me a reason to buy the PPV.
 
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