Alexander Volkanovski rises to #6 in the Absolute Men’s Rankings. He is the first new entrant to penetrate the Top 6 in years, knocking Matt Hughes down to #7.
MMA Betting in the Age of Smart Wagers: Transparency, Trust, and Strategy
When placing MMA bets online, platform reliability and clarity of odds play a crucial role in long-term enjoyment and responsible wagering. For trusted information on MMA and other sports betting options, visit Oncasitown’s sports betting guide.
The Rising Popularity of MMA and Sports Betting
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has evolved from a niche combat sport into a global phenomenon. Major organizations now attract millions of viewers worldwide, with fight nights becoming major events for fans and analysts alike. Alongside this rise in popularity, sports betting has emerged as a complementary way for audiences to engage more deeply with matches.
Modern bettors are no longer limited to simple win-or-lose wagers. Instead, they can explore a wide range of betting markets, adding strategic layers to their viewing experience.
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Saturday, March 14th 2026: Pancrase 361 | |||
 [#4 SW] Yuta Miyazawa | [#9 SW] Kanji Funada | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 11/09/2025 [Pancrase] Last Opponent: [#32 SW] Tateo Iino Last 5: W W L W W | Last Fight Date: 4/27/2025 [Pancrase] Last Opponent: [#51 SW] Takafumi Ato Last 5: W W W W W | ||
| Friday, March 20th 2026: PFL Madrid: Van Steenis vs. Edwards 2 | |||
 [#8 MW] Costello Van Steenis |  [#12 MW] Fabian Edwards | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 7/19/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#13 MW] Johnny Eblen Last 5: W L W W W | Last Fight Date: 8/21/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#27 MW] Dalton Rosta Last 5: W L W W W | ||
| Sunday, April 12th 2026: RIZIN LANDMARK 13 in FUKUOKA | |||
 [#25 W115] Natalia Kuziutina | [#7 W105] Ayaka Hamasaki | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 8/16/2025 [Ural Fighting Championship] Last Opponent: [#77 W115] Rose Conceicao Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 11/23/2025 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#14 W105] Ye Ji Lee Last 5: W L W L W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#242 LW] |  Rustambek Nurzhanov | [#2 LW] |  Charles Oliveira | |
| [#18 FW] | Kyoma Akimoto | [#840 LW] | Daniel Holt | |
| [#5 LW] |  Max Holloway | [#1 LW] |  Ilia Topuria | |
| [NR] | Markwayne Mullin | [#43 LW] | Drew Dober | |
| [#1 WW] | Islam Makhachev | [#46 FW] | Patrick Mix |
The Psychology of Gambling: Why People Bet
The gambling sector has existed for centuries, from primitive dice games and the first sports wagers to an innovative digital form of entertainment. The betting mechanics are pretty easy to understand, but discovering the reasons why people engage in this pastime is more complex. Interest in gambling-related activities is driven by multiple factors, where the thrill of quick dopamine releases and instant gratification are blended. Bookmakers and casinos actively used these triggers to affect player behaviors, motivating them to extend sessions. Discover why gambling remains on the rise, regardless of the risks and potential negative consequences that the industry hides.
A Fighter’s Reflection: David Price on Boxing, Purpose, and Britain’s Next Heavyweight Era
In a sport where titles come and go, true insight often comes from those who’ve stepped away from the ring. Former heavyweight contender David Price may no longer lace up gloves for competition, but his perspective carries the weight of experience, from Olympic highs and domestic pressure to brutal setbacks and public scrutiny.
In a recent interview with 247Bet, which was produced for boxing and MMA betting enthusiasts, Price offered a grounded, honest look at the state of heavyweight boxing today, the inner world of elite fighters like Tyson Fury, and the rising stars who carry the future of British boxing.
David Price has lived the sport from inside the ring and now offers a view many fans miss. As scheduled cards and live odds shape public perception of fighters, favourites, underdogs, and returning names alike, his perspective in this conversation focused on what the numbers don’t show.
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes Preview
Background
After the Paramount era got off to a bang last weekend with Justin Gaethje defeating Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, attention now turns to Australia and the heavily anticipated rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
Volkanovski currently holds the featherweight title after defeating Lopes in April 2025, after Ilia Topuria had vacated it to move up to the lightweight division.
Before being defeated by Topuria, Volkanovski had held the title for 1526 days, defeating the likes of Brian Ortega and Max Holloway on the way to securing five title defenses.
As for Lopes, he caught the eye of MMA fans in 2021 after losing via technical decision, due to an eye poke, against Joanderson Brito on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Despite his chance for a contract being cut short, the UFC eventually signed him, and he made his debut on five days’ notice against Movsar Evloev in May 2023.
Lopes then went on to defeat Ortega and Jean Silva to earn a shot at the gold, losing out via unanimous decision over five rounds.
But Lopes is determined to capture the title and this time maybe his fortunes will change…
Here’s Why Simplicity Is a Selling Point for Online Casinos
Online casinos look a lot different from what they did just a decade ago. Early platforms competed by adding more games and offering bigger welcome packages. Now, modern casinos are taking a step back.
Yes, thousands of games and big promotions still come as standard. However, simplicity has become a genuine selling point. For those who value ease and control, a streamlined casino experience can be more appealing than an overwhelming one.
Rather than feeling basic, here’s an explanation for why simplicity is winning over gamblers at online casinos.
This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays
Back for 2026! There have been some tweaks (noted below by strikethroughs and blue text.)
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 5 fights, with at least 1 draw or 1 loss (excluding debut). More data makes WHR happy.- 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.
5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Online Casino Bonuses
Online casino bonuses have the power to add extra excitement to your gameplay. At least, that’s if you know how to use them properly.
Many players claim plump bonuses without fully knowing how they work. This usually causes frustration when it’s time to withdraw. By taking a smarter approach, however, you can turn these bonuses into a real advantage rather than a limitation.
To make it a reality, here are five practical tips to get the most value from online casino bonuses.
Crouton Digital: Scalable Institutional Blockchain Infrastructure for Web3
Riga, Latvia 2025 – Crouton Digital, a blockchain infrastructure provider focused on enterprise and institutional markets, announced the successful raise of $1 million in strategic capital to accelerate global infrastructure expansion and deploy new RPC capabilities, node orchestration tools, and institutional crypto staking services. The company also confirmed the rollout of SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 certification processes, strengthening its commitment to data protection, regulatory alignment, and high-availability operational standards.
This investment marks a major step in Crouton Digital’s transition from a validator-focused service provider to a full-spectrum Web3 infrastructure company serving blockchain protocols, asset managers, and institutional stakeholders across more than 45 distributed ledger ecosystems.
The Evolution of Combat Sports: From Martial Arts to Modern MMA
Have you ever watched a mixed martial arts fight and thought about how so many styles come together in one space? Many people enjoy combat sports today but do not always know how these systems grew over time. The story of combat sports is long, rich, and full of learning. It connects old training traditions with today’s organized competitions and shows how discipline, respect, and skill have shaped fighters across generations.
Smart Online Betting Insights for Safe and Informed Play with Secure SBO login
Online having a bet draws interest due to its comfort, speedy get admission to, and extensive choice of alternatives. However, achievement and protection rely upon knowledgeable thinking, controlled behavior, and reliable platform access through the SBO login. Smart play makes a specialty of knowledge guidelines, private limits, and platform features as opposed to chasing consequences. Awareness and making plans assist in lessening risks while helping to balance engagement.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC 325: Volkanovski vs. Lopes 2 (01-31-2026)
Featherweight Championship (145)
[#11P4P][#1][#1UFC] Alexander Volkanovski (27-4-0, -159) vs. [#3][#3UFC] Diego Lopes (27-7-0, +131)
Alexander Volkanovski is the All-Time #2 ranked Featherweight and #7 ranked Absolute fighter.
Diego Lopes is the All-Time #32 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Alexander Volkanovski (1-2-0)
2025-04-12: W vs. [#3FW] Diego Lopes (27-7-0) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
2024-02-17: L vs. [#2P4P][#9DD][#1LW] Ilia Topuria (17-0-0) via KO (Punch) in 3:32 of round 2
2023-10-21: L vs. [#1P4P][#1WW] Islam Makhachev (28-1-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punches) in 3:06 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Diego Lopes (2-1-0)
2025-09-13: W vs. [#12FW] Jean Silva (17-3-0) via TKO (Spinning Back Elbow and Punches) in 4:48 of round 2
2025-04-12: L vs. [#1FW] Alexander Volkanovski (27-4-0) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
2024-09-14: W vs. [#9FW] Brian Ortega (16-5-0) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Alexander Volkanovski | -159 | 58.64% | |
| Elo K170 | Alexander Volkanovski | 2240.10 | +165.98 | 72.22% |
| Elo Modified | Alexander Volkanovski | 2213.98 | +156.81 | 71.15% |
| Glicko-1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 2255.57 | +116.07 | 66.11% |
| WHR | Alexander Volkanovski | 2182.54 | +161.54 | 71.71% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Alexander Volkanovski 37.3, Diego Lopes 31.1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexander Volkanovski 294, Diego Lopes 140
Previous Match-up Record: Alexander Volkanovski leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Lightweight (155)
[#7][#6UFC] Benoit St. Denis (16-3-0, -324) vs. [#8][#7UFC] Dan Hooker (24-13-0, +252)
Dan Hooker is the All-Time #45 ranked Lightweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Benoit St. Denis (3-0-0)
2025-11-15: W vs. [#13LW] Beneil Dariush (23-7-1) via KO (Punches) in 0:16 of round 1
2025-09-06: W vs. [#48LW] Mauricio Ruffy (12-2-0) via Submission (Face Crank) in 2:56 of round 2
2025-05-10: W vs. [#321LW] Kyle Prepolec (18-10-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 2:35 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Dan Hooker (2-1-0)
2025-11-22: L vs. [#10DD][#2LW] Arman Tsarukyan (23-3-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 3:34 of round 2
2024-08-17: W vs. [#9LW] Mateusz Gamrot (25-4-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2023-07-08: W vs. [#27LW] Jalin Turner (15-9-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Benoit St. Denis | -324 | 72.89% | |
| Elo K170 | Benoit St. Denis | 2090.93 | +19.55 | 52.81% |
| Elo Modified | Benoit St. Denis | 2057.92 | +93.97 | 63.20% |
| Glicko-1 | Benoit St. Denis | 2163.12 | +208.22 | 76.83% |
| WHR | Benoit St. Denis | 1943.71 | +111.51 | 65.52% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Benoit St. Denis 30.1, Dan Hooker 35.9
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Benoit St. Denis 77, Dan Hooker 70
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][#10UFC] Rafael Fiziev (13-4-0, -115) vs. [#48][#26UFC] Mauricio Ruffy (12-2-0, -107)
Rafael Fiziev is the All-Time #49 ranked Lightweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Rafael Fiziev (1-2-0)
2025-06-21: W vs. [#26LW] Ignacio Bahamondes (18-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2025-03-08: L vs. [#5LW] Justin Gaethje (27-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-09-23: L vs. [#9LW] Mateusz Gamrot (25-4-0) via TKO (Knee Injury) in 2:03 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Mauricio Ruffy (2-1-0)
2025-09-06: L vs. [#7LW] Benoit St. Denis (16-3-0) via Submission (Face Crank) in 2:56 of round 2
2025-03-08: W vs. [#49LW] Bobby Green (33-17-1) via KO (Spinning Wheel Kick) in 2:07 of round 1
2024-11-16: W vs. [#297WW] James Llontop (18-7-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Rafael Fiziev | -115 | 50.85% | |
| Elo K170 | Rafael Fiziev | 1980.59 | +229.53 | 78.94% |
| Elo Modified | Rafael Fiziev | 1956.18 | +204.16 | 76.41% |
| Glicko-1 | Rafael Fiziev | 2023.82 | +213.10 | 77.32% |
| WHR | Rafael Fiziev | 1947.27 | +192.29 | 75.15% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Rafael Fiziev 32.9, Mauricio Ruffy 29.6
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Rafael Fiziev 224, Mauricio Ruffy 147
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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Keep Reading
From Rankings to Wagers: How to Read MMA Odds Like a FightMatrix Analyst
In the rapidly evolving world of mixed martial arts, rankings no longer tell the full story. As global MMA promotions continue to expand and betting markets grow more sophisticated, understanding how odds are formed and what they truly represent has become a critical skill for modern bettors. Increasingly, analysts and sportsbooks alike are borrowing concepts from advanced ranking systems such as FightMatrix to assess fighter value beyond win-loss records.
This shift is also influencing how fans engage with the sport. With major fight cards drawing international attention, especially across Europe, bettors are becoming more data-driven. Whether it’s evaluating a short-notice replacement or identifying stylistic mismatches, many are now combining analytical rankings with wagering insights particularly when placing some bets on Irish sports, including the MMA.
So, how do you read MMA odds the way a FightMatrix analyst would? The answer lies in understanding how rankings, statistics, and context converge to shape betting markets.