Like with most other major sports, fantasy games are becoming integral to the MMA fan experience. Fantasy MMA adds to the enjoyment experienced while watching MMA events by enabling fans to compare their knowledge against others — either for bragging rights or for cash prizes. In addition to adding more enjoyment to the fan experience, fantasy games promote the sport in general by engaging fans with fighters they may otherwise ignore.
As a coach on season one of The Ultimate Fighter, Randy Couture recognized the similar multi-faceted promotional value that the show had, which prompted him to partner with Kountermove, the newest fantasy MMA website on the block that has grown immensely in popularity since going live four months ago.
“The great thing about The Ultimate Fighter is that it drives fan interest to lesser-known fighters,” Couture explains. “I got involved in Kountermove for that reason.”
Kountermove boasts more than 5,000 players, has paid out over $50,000 in cash prizes thus far and has steadily increased its prize pools to keep up with its membership boon. Since launching in November of last year, Kountermove has quickly become one of the most popular of the MMA fantasy sites and one of a select few that allows play for cash prizes. The site is neither a “pick ‘em game,” nor a “betting simulation,” unlike the other major fantasy sites, as it uses actual fight data, such as strikes landed and takedowns, to determine the winner.
Another unique aspect of Kountermove is that the scoring data from the fights flows into the site in real-time, so players can track their fantasy game progress as they watch bouts live. Prior to the event, players purchase 5 fighters of those fighting on the card using a $25,000 artificial salary cap. A winner is determined by which player’s five fighters scored more strikes, takedowns, submissions, and so on than the opposition. The data used in calculating a fighter’s score is provided by an independent third party, and is verifiable and transparent, which is important for fantasy sites that offer cash play.
Couture is especially excited about MMA fantasy game for TUF Live.
“Fans that play will have a vested interest in fights and fighters that may not be the focus of the show,” Couture points out.
You’re probably asking: “So how does the Potato Nation benefit from this?”
We know how much you miss playing our FightPicker (RIP) game. We all do. That’s why Kountermove created a free UFC 145 tournament specifically for us with an actual cash payout for the winner so we can relive the glory days of rubbing in our MMA picks and having bragging rights for picking some of the correct outcomes of fights.
To play, all you have to do is sign up HERE and then head on over to our tournament page and make your picks.
As an additional bonus, everyone who signs up for an account on the site and emails us their Kountermove user name by 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday at [email protected] will be entered into a draw to win one of three prizes: UFC Undisputed 3 for Xbox 360, UFC Undisputed 3 for PS3 or a $100 credit to use towards any of the KM cash tournaments. Just specify which draw you want to be entered into in your email.
While you’re checking out the site, have a look at the TUF Live and UFC 145 games, which offer substantial payouts.
Good luck and have fun.
