Back by popular demand!
It’s world cup week so everyone in the sporting universe can’t help but get caught up in big tournament fever. Can Brazil do it? Will France live up to their potential? Can Messi/Ronaldo get Argentina/Portugal over the line? Most folks don’t know the answers to these questions; some don’t even know what the questions mean! That’s where I step in with my team-by-team guide to the 2018 world cup for the MMA fan in your life. Enjoy!
Group A
Russia
Fighter equivalent – Darren Till
Hometown advantage might see them surprise a few people.
Odds – 40/1
****
Saudi Arabia
Fighter equivalent – Jan Blachowicz
Good locally, but unlikely to cause too many problems to the big boys.
Odds – 1000/1
****
Egypt
Fighter equivalent – Nik Lentz
One extremely dangerous asset but limited outside of that.
Odds – 200/1
****
Uruguay
Fighter equivalent – Anthony Johnson
Devastating attack which probably won’t be enough to win anything.
Odds – 28/1
****
Group B
Portugal
Fighter equivalent – Stephen Thompson
One of the best in the world but the final hurdle could be a problem at world level.
Odds – 25/1
****
Spain
Fighter equivalent – Georges St-Pierre
Technically superb and unbeatable for years with possibly a little bit still left to achieve.
Odds – 6/1
****
Morocco
Fighter equivalent – Gian Villante
Not terrible, but not great either.
Odds – 500/1
****
Iran
Fighter equivalent – Ricky Rainey
Not bad at a lower level, unlikely to ever win at a higher level.
Odds – 500/1
****
Group C
France
Fighter equivalent – Cody Garbrandt
All the talent in the world, could be champion again soon but also may implode at any moment.
Odds – 13/2
****
Australia
Fighter equivalent – Bec Rawlings
Would probably be better off competing in a rougher, more violent sport.
Odds – 300/1
Peru
Fighter equivalent – Renato Moicano
Plucky South Americans with the sum of the parts being greater than the individual assets.
Odds – 150/1
****
Denmark
Fighter equivalent – Corey Anderson
Talented beasts who are probably not getting too much higher than their current position.
Odds – 100/1
****
Group D
Argentina
Fighter equivalent – Conor McGregor
The most talented attack in the world. Getting them to perform is the biggest issue.
Odds – 9/1
****
Iceland
Fighter equivalent – Aleksei Oleinik
The trickiest of underdogs. Can catch anyone if they aren’t fully prepared for what they bring.
Odds – 200/1
****
Croatia
Fighter equivalent – Joe Benavidez
Very good technically but just below the very best.
Odds – 33/1
****
Nigeria
Fighter equivalent – Donald Cerrone
Have qualities in all areas but none of which are enough to get them to the very top.
Odds – 200/1
****
Group E
Brazil
Fighter equivalent – Amanda Nunes
Brilliant attack, improving all the time. Might just be the best in the world.
Odds – 9/2
****
Switzerland
Fighter equivalent – Brad Tavares
Always a steady mid-level talent that shows up and performs respectably.
Odds – 100/1
****
Costa Rica
Fighter equivalent – Dheigo Lima
Fun to watch but won’t be around the big stage for too long.
Odds – 500/1
****
Serbia
Fighter equivalent – Alexander Volkov
Steady and hard to beat.
Odds – 150/1
****
Group F
Germany
Fighter equivalent – Stipe Miocic
One of the biggest hitters about to face their biggest test.
Odds – 5/1
****
Mexico
Fighter equivalent – Thomas Almeida
Always fun to watch. Usually ends up entertained but disappointed.
Odds – 100/1
****
Sweden
Fighter equivalent – Johny Hendricks
Still good but their ability to take them to world level has been relocated somewhere in America.
Odds – 125/1
South Korea
Fighter equivalent – Amanda Cooper
Will probably be outclassed and finished off early.
Odds – 500/1
****
Group G
Belgium
Fighter equivalent – Zabit Magomedsharipov
Exceptional talent in every area of the game. All that’s left to do is to prove it against the very best.
Odds – 11/1
****
Panama
Fighter equivalent – Ash Griffiths
Don’t know anything about them apart from the fact they are taking on someone we know.
Odds – 1000/1
****
Tunisia
Fighter equivalent – Mike Jackson
Also coming in here to take on someone we know.
Odds – 750/1
****
England
Fighter equivalent – Frankie Edgar
Talk a great game. Insane fans. Won the world title like 50 years ago. Won’t win it again in the near future.
Odds – 16/1
****
Group H
Poland
Fighter equivalent – Bryan Caraway
Only see them every few years but they always seem to still be relatively good.
Odds – 66/1
****
Senegal
Fighter equivalent – Glover Teixeira
Way better upon inspection than taking them at face value. Plenty of talent.
Odds – 150/1
****
Colombia
Fighter equivalent – Jimi Manuwa
Great attacking options which will be useless because of deficiencies elsewhere.
Odds – 40/1
****
Japan
Fighter equivalent – Felice Herrig
Very hard-working. Difficult for anyone but should be beaten by more talented outfits.
Odds – 300/1
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