After a month of inactivity during the coronavirus pandemic, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) decided to return to the ring with a bang. On April 23, the UFC held its first event of the year, and it was a banger. According to reports, the UFC 207 event drew a massive audience of 3.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched event in UFC history. The previous record holder – UFC 194 – was only watched by 3.3 million people.
Why UFC 207 Was Special
From the start, the UFC decided to buck the trend and hold the event without restrictions. They canceled all the usual protocols regarding social distancing and restricted entry. UFC 207 was also the first event of the year where there were no championship belts on the line. In fact, the main event was a battle for the number-one ranking in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
The event started with a bang as Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones engaged in an incredible physical battle. The two competitors went at it for more than five rounds, and the fight was ruled a draw after the fifth round. Following the fight, the two men hugged and posed for pictures with fans. It was a genuine display of sportsmanship and goodwill.
The Importance Of Mental Preparation
Mental preparation is just as important as physical training for any athlete. Without it, the body can only do so much. That’s why the UFC prioritized mental preparation for their athletes going into UFC 207. They wanted to ensure that their efforts in the gym would translate to a competitive edge in the ring.
The mental aspect of fighting is complex. There are so many variables that can affect the performance of an athlete, especially during a high-stakes fight. Weather, sleep, and food are just a few of the elements that can influence how an individual performs on the day of the fight. The UFC wanted to make sure that their light heavyweight contenders were ready for the biggest stage in UFC history. They wanted to be certain that their investments in talent would pay off in big dividends.
The Evolution Of UFC Champions
The UFC is a big, rich sports organization with billions of dollars in the bank. Over the years, they’ve developed a unique process for identifying, developing, and promoting future champions. It starts with a group of talented up-and-coming fighters that they nurture and grow into professional competitors.
The path to the top is anything but easy. It takes years of rigorous training, endless blood, sweat, and tears. When these men and women graduate from the UFC’s elite sports schools, they’re considered game changers, having perfected an entirely new combat sport.
The system works. It’s an exclusive school for athletes: the Jon Jones School. Since 2008, over 150 students have attended the school, where they learn how to become the best version of themselves. The school’s curriculum is as follows:
- Combative Sports : Students train in a variety of hand-to-hand combat sports, including Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and others.
- MMA Physiology : Students study the effects of different styles of fighting and training on the human body, as well as the science behind sports performance.
- Life In The Fast Lane : Students develop important life skills such as time management, goal setting, and money management.
- Community Service : Students train for good citizenship, participating in community service projects such as coaching youth sports and mentoring at-risk children.
The students that complete the prestigious Jon Jones School are future UFC champions. Many of them have gone on to become top-notch mixed martial artists, dominating the octagon. Some of their alumni include Daniel Cormier, Ovince St. Preux, and Ronda Rousey.
The key to the success of the school is in the detail. The UFC makes sure that each and every one of their athletes is well-equipped to dominate his or her competition. The academy is designed to develop future superstitions, and the training is second to none. The UFC continues to invest in high-quality facilities, the best mentors, and the most sophisticated brainwashing techniques.
The Art Of Negotiation
It’s always preferable for everyone to walk away with a win-win situation. In the real world, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, you don’t get what you want, and you have to resort to negotiating to make things right.
In sport, too, there are always variables that can affect the result. For instance, in the case of UFC 207, it was the rain that saved Jon Jones. Without it, the fight would have ended in a draw, with Daniel Cormier winning by TKO. In other cases, the dice can be loaded in your favor. Takeweight-gainer Cristiane St. Preux as an example. In 2018, she was the prohibitive favorite to win the prestigious UFC women’s bantamweight belt. That was until the last fight. With just a little bit of help from her friends (namely, Chanelle Steel and Tonya Evinger), St. Preux managed to pull off the upset and dethrone Roxanne Modafferi for the belt.
In most situations, you can’t always assume that the dice are loaded against you. That’s why it’s so important to be mentally prepared for the negotiation process. Before you start throwing punches, you need to be sure that you’ve thought everything through. That way, you can come to the table with a clear head and a fresh set of ideas.
Where To Bet UFC?
Now that you’re probably salivating at the memory of what happened at UFC 207, where should you bet? Let’s examine the various options. First, you could back the winner of the Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones rematch. Although this match-up has the potential to be a one-sided beatdown, it is not guaranteed to be so. Jon Jones is a tremendously skilled fighter who has never been stopped in 36 professional contests. For their part, Daniel Cormier is a former light heavyweight champion who has found a home at heavyweight, where he is an intimidating physical presence who has dominated his opposition.
The key to backing these athletes is in the form of bookmaker’s odds. For every $100 you wager, you get $200 in winnings. Given the extremely high likelihood of the Daniel Cormier victory, you could potentially make a lot of money on this bet.
The Safe Choice
UFC 207 was a watershed event for the organization and for mixed martial arts (MMA) in general. It was the first time that the promotion had ever opened its books to wagering, and it was a glorious day. The risk of losing money on this wager is minuscule. Without question, UFC 207 was the safest place to be on April 23. Just follow the simple guidelines below, and you’re good to go.