Predictors of Victory and Injury in Mixed Martial Arts Combat: A Scientific Study of Professional Fight Records

The ability to develop and test theories using data is central to the development of foundational theories ‎in any field. In mixed martial arts, the large volume of fight data that has accumulated over the years ‎enables us to conduct systematic testing of layman theories about mixed martial arts competition ‎outcomes, and to develop a rigorous conceptual framework for professionals in the field. Using data ‎from hundreds of fights, this book provides empirically tested answers to a long list of questions such ‎as these:‎ ‏What are the effects of height and reach‏ ‏advantage on a fighter's likelihood of winning an MMA fight? Does age affect how a fighter wins? Is there a hometown advantage? ‎ Do fighters' pre-fight rituals affect the‏ ‏way fights end? Do southpaw fighters have an advantage‏ ‏over their orthodox opponents? ‎ How does a fighter's weight affect the‏ ‏types of injuries experienced in a fight? Are fighters from certain countries better than others?‎‏ How accurately can fight outcomes be predicted?‎ Utilizing a scientific approach, the book tests common theories about what drives success in mixed martial ‎arts combat. ‎