mma / News
Jon Anik Says Betting on MMA Has Grown Exponentially
UFC commentator Jon Anik spoke with MMAjunkie about the rise of gambling on MMA in Las Vegas. Highlights from the interview are below:
On the growth of betting on the sport: “The UFC and MMA handle that Vegas is taking in has grown exponentially. When Conor McGregor fights, they’re doing major action – seven-figure action on Conor McGregor fights. As a degenerate, lifelong gambler, that’s very exciting for me. I don’t think it’ll ever consistently be on an NFL level, but I’ve always looked at it as another lens through which to look at a sporting event, and I don’t take it for much more than it is.”
On how he bets on fights: “You’re not betting the fighter; you’re betting the number. I don’t think the Toronto Raptors are going to win the NBA championship. But I’m not betting the Toronto Raptors. I’m betting the number, which right now is 28-1, and I see more value on them than the other Eastern (Conference) powers – Cleveland and Boston. Even if you think Jessica Andrade is going to win (their recent UFC on FOX 28) fight, minus-280, minus-300 might be prohibitive for you, and the plus-240 might be appealing for (Tecia) Torres. So always remember, you’re betting numbers, not teams. You’re betting numbers, not fighters.”
On the sports’ acceptance of betting: “This is something I was always talking about when it wasn’t necessarily accepted. So it’s been a little gratifying to see it get embraced.”