There is an art to matchmaking in combat sports. While some fights come together with a natural ease, the majority of bouts are formed through a hectic process of evaluation where several aspects need to be evaluated on each side of the table before co…
There is an art to matchmaking in combat sports. While some fights come together with a natural ease, the majority of bouts are formed through a hectic process of evaluation where several aspects need to be evaluated on each side of the table before committing to the matchup. Whether or not a fight makes sense […]
In today’s MMA world, Jon Jones is the king of the light heavyweight division. He rules the division with an iron fist, beating the likes of Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida. It seems like a lifetime ago that Chuck Liddell was living up to his nickname “The Iceman” and destroying every man in […]
In today’s MMA world, Jon Jones is the king of the light heavyweight division. He rules the division with an iron fist, beating the likes of Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida. It seems like a lifetime ago that Chuck Liddell was living up to his nickname “The Iceman” and destroying every man in […]
There are few things that get to the heart of a passionate MMA fan quicker than a good old fashioned grudge match. While seeing two elite level fighters trade leather and kicks on the sport’s biggest stage gets the blood pumping, the scenario only becomes that much sweeter when there is shared disdain involved. Perhaps […]
There are few things that get to the heart of a passionate MMA fan quicker than a good old fashioned grudge match. While seeing two elite level fighters trade leather and kicks on the sport’s biggest stage gets the blood pumping, the scenario only becomes that much sweeter when there is shared disdain involved. Perhaps […]
Fantasy sports are a fun way to learn more about, and get closer than ever to, your favorite athletes and sports. Basketball, baseball, football, even hockey all have robust and thriving fantasy games, and gives fans an opportunity to match wits agains…
Fantasy sports are a fun way to learn more about, and get closer than ever to, your favorite athletes and sports. Basketball, baseball, football, even hockey all have robust and thriving fantasy games, and gives fans an opportunity to match wits against their friends or the world (and pocket a little money while they’re at it).
Mixed martial arts, for years, was left out in the cold. There were a handful of “picks” contests sure, games that simply called for players to choose the winner of a given fight. But those games sorely lacked the thoughtful game planning and strategy that defined other fantasy sports.
Introducing Kountermove
Enter Kountermove and its founder Aaron Ard:
“Our game is fairly simple on its face; our games are played over a single night during one event. Prior to the event, players get a total of $25,000 fantasy dollars and you get to pick five fighters for your team,” Ard said. “Each fighter is given aspecific price by Kountermove. We assign a value for each fighter based on how we believe the fight will go.”
“Points are scored if your fighters scores a finish, wins a round, lands significant strikes, knocks an opponent down, scores takedowns, secures dominant positions or attempts submissions. The more dominant your fighters’ performance, the more points you’re going to score. If you score more points than your opponents, then you win the money.”
Sounds simple enough right? It isn’t. It’s horrifyingly hard to play well. There is a bit of a learning curve, but I’ve got you covered there. Kountermove has graciously provided a trial game for my readers to take advantage of. You can play the game, get your feet wet with the system and even win some cash if you are smart (and lucky) enough. Sign up here.
UFC 153 Preview
As you can see, Kountermove (based on a number of factors including: historical points scored, fighter’s style, weight class, opponent’s style and skill) believes that Anderson Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Diego Brandao are all significant favorites.
Other thoughts:
The MMA Encyclopedia Lock for UFC 153 :
Who else but Anderson Silva. If Bonnar manages a win, it will be the biggest upset in MMA history. I think it’s unlikely enough to justify Silva’s high price point here.
This card has several fights with extremely lopsided odds. In many ways it’s like an old Pride card or a Strikeforce show when that promotion was running on all cylinders. The bouts seem set up to give certain fighters an exciting win.
The Undercard Lock for UFC 153:
There’s no way Phil Davis should lose his fight against Wagner Prado. Short of another weird eye poke incident, he should take this one to an easy decision.
With fantasy, however, there are added considerations—Davis is a wrestler and a grinding decision leads to lower points in Kountermove. Take that under advisement.
Points Leader for UFC 153:
A better pick, at a similar cost, to rack up big points is rising star Glover Teixeira. I expect Glover to finish his opponent, boxer Fabio Maldonado, early and rack up some major Kountermove points.
When you select a prohibitive favorite in Kountermove, you need to counter that pick with an underdog. That’s the only way to keep your team under the price cap established by the game.
Upset Special for UFC 153:
Dave Herman is a good value at $4300. He is the underdog for a reason, but Nogueira is old enough (and his chin just spotty enough) to make Herman a decent play.
I encourage you to take a look at their site and give the game a shot. It’s free, and you can win some cash in my tournament. I’ll even up the ante. If a Bleacher Report user wins the top prize, I will change my avatar to something of their choosing.
There is no financial relationship between Kountermove and Bleacher Report or Kountermove and me. I just believe in their product and think it is a game worth playing.
I’ve read the comments—many Bleacher Report readers believe themselves experts. Just between us, I think I know a thing or two as well. Now’s our chance to go out and prove it. See you there.
My dearest readers, I am quite tired of reading about people not taking short-notice fights, Dana White ruining the UFC and whether or not Stephan Bonnar will name his son “Griffin.” Quite frankly, MMA is in a rut, and I have just the…
My dearest readers, I am quite tired of reading about people not taking short-notice fights, Dana White ruining the UFC and whether or not Stephan Bonnar will name his son “Griffin.” Quite frankly, MMA is in a rut, and I have just the solution to bring back the pizazz that once won over millions of […]
My dearest readers, I am quite tired of reading about people not taking short-notice fights, Dana White ruining the UFC and whether or not Stephan Bonnar will name his son “Griffin.” Quite frankly, MMA is in a rut, and I have just the solution to …
My dearest readers, I am quite tired of reading about people not taking short-notice fights, Dana White ruining the UFC and whether or not Stephan Bonnar will name his son “Griffin.”
Quite frankly, MMA is in a rut, and I have just the solution to bring back the pizazz that once won over millions of fans worldwide.
We need a UFC All-Star game.
Could you imagine how awesome this would be? Obviously, the timing would have to be perfect, and not everybody could compete a given year. If the event is held in February and Jon Jones has to fight in February, he cannot partake.
That said, it would become an annual event, and “Bones” could take his fight and the All-Star game the following year—a win-win for the fans and for Jones.
Still not sold (and why would you be; I haven’t even told you what it is yet)?
Start the slideshow to see what exactly would go down at this glorious spectacle.
Fantasy sports are a fun way to learn more about, and get closer than ever to, your favorite athletes and sports. Basketball, baseball, football, even hockey all have robust and thriving fantasy games, and gives fans an opportunity to match wits against their friends or the world (and pocket a little money while they’re at it).