Cagewriter (via the Las Vegas Sun) reports on the rise of gambling on the UFC and how it has surpassed boxing in terms of the choice for gamblers on combat sports.
Notwithstanding the Pacquiao factor, most gamblers wanting to bet on fights favor the UFC rather than a boxing card. According to Mike Colbert of Cantor Gaming, the sports book director for several casinos, states that a typical UFC event brings in “four times the number of bets as an average boxing card.”
Payout Perspective:
This is an interesting trend for the business of gambling. It may have been expected considering the UFC’s home base is in Vegas and many of its events are held in Vegas. Yet, the fact that it has surpassed boxing as a favorite among gamblers seems to add more legitimacy to the sport. Certainly gamblers will pay more attention to the sport: its nuances, the fighters, the fighting style, etc. While their end goal is to win money, it also means that people will be drawn to it.
An interesting point taken in the article is the fact that gamblers are interested in the whole card whereas in boxing most people just bet on the main event.
Interesting fact by Mike Colbert. Let’s face it. MMA is a bigger draw month in and month out than boxing. There have been only three boxing matches that were heavily promoted since the start of the year. See: Bradley vs Alexander, Pac vs Mosley, Hopkins vs Pascal. MMA provides more excitement and considerably more betting odds than boxing. Gamblers know where the better draw and action will be for their money.
think about it….after the pacman mosley huge ppv fight, after the WWE tough enough kick the TUF everyweek…after top rank was offered showtime and CBS..and after the planned network comeback of boxing….all of a sudden this news shows up….