UFC and boxing matches aren’t always between evenly matched fighters. In some instances, matches are one-sided and everybody knows it. There is even a big discrepancy on sportsbook sites, just so that bookies can convince bettors to back the underdog. But you need a big difference in odds in order to have an upset.
Upsets in fighting matches are some of the most exciting moments in this sport. Not only do you have an iconic moment when the underdog defies all odds, but anyone who puts money on that fighter gets a big win. Making risky gambles is always fun, but what’s even more appealing is when someone gets to gamble risk-free. And that’s something you can do with no wager casino bonuses. There is a neat round-up of no wagering casino Canada sites that have these promos available. In essence, you get to play with bonus funds and withdraw your winnings without having to bother with tedious rollover terms.
Even though gambling without risks is enjoyable, it’s not as thrilling as winning the upset bet. So, let’s discuss when these types of wagers are possible and list some examples from recent history.
What Constitutes an Upset?
An upset in fighting sports is when the crowd favorite ends up losing even when all analytics and odds are strongly in his or her favor. It’s one of those truly rare moments when you realize that stats aren’t everything and that you should always strive for the win no matter the odds. What’s more betting odds are generated based on stats and public perception, so they aren’t always the most accurate representation of a winning chance.
Nevertheless, if the general perception is that the fight is one-sided, betting on the underdog will rake you in some serious cash. But in spite of big payouts many choose to play safe, and back the crowd favorite. The same is true for casino gamers, who either opt for table games like roulette and baccarat and only play slots if they have free spins. One of the most trusted operators that has a great free spins offer is PlayOjO. One thing OjO Casino reviews always stress is that these are no wager free spins, so you get to gamble for free and keep the winnings.
Just like upsets in combat sports, no wager-free spins are a rare promo, and winning on those will always be memorable. In fact, it’s almost as memorable as the fights we are about to list.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Anthony Joshua (2019)
Andy Ruiz vs Anthony Joshua was another historic upset, that’s as big as the one with Tyson and Douglas. In 2019, Anthony Joshua was a unified IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA champion who went against the challenger Andy Ruiz Jr. Fight with Andy was actually a replacement for an earlier scheduled fight against Jarrel Miller because he failed 3 drug tests.
In terms of odds, Joshua was at -220 while Andy was at +175, and some European bookies even gave Andy 14/1 odds. It’s safe to say that these stats made Andy’s victory that much sweeter. He won via TKO, which buried Joshua’s status as undefeated champion.
Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey (2015)
UFC 193 fighting event in Australia that filled the Melbourn stadium in 2015. Over 50,000 spectators have come to see a mixed martial arts bout between undefeated Ronda Rousey and a famous boxing southpaw Holly Holm. You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger discrepancy in odds than this one -1250 for Ronda and +825 for Holly. Ronda was without a doubt favored to win the fight, but she received a big blow to her ego, followed by actual critical hits.
Holly managed to keep Ronda at a distance during the first round and prevented her from scoring any meaningful hits. The inability to close the distance frustrated Ronda so she got reckless, which led to a straight left connecting with her chin. What followed this punch was a kick to the neck that secured a knockout.
Ronda claims that she was concussed before the match started and that’s why she lost so quickly. Many fans see this as an attempt to rewrite history and undermine Holly’s achievement in that fight.
Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor (2016)
In UFC 196 the bout between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor was seemingly over before the bell rang. Nearly 80% of the viewers thought Conor would win and the odds were -450 for Conor and +300 for Diaz.
The fight only lasted 2 rounds, but the outcome was not what the crowd expected. Diaz managed to get an upper hand and turned it into a rear neck choke. He forced Conor to tap out, and that was that. It was bloody and violent, and everyone still talks about it to this day.
Juliana Peña vs. Amanda Nunes (2021)
Amanda Nunes is widely considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, but that doesn’t mean she is unbeatable. In 2021 during UFC 269 she clashed with Juliana Peña and seemingly dominated the first round. Throughout the first few minutes, the initial estimate of -800 for Amanda and +500 for Juliana seemed justified. Near the end the two fighters were locked in a grapple, and Amanda recognized that Juliana could be dangerous in this position. Nevertheless, Amanda managed to free her arm and started landing hits.
Although it seemed like Juliana took the beating in the first round, the fact was she didn’t sustain serious damage. This was a big confidence boost, and she got more aggressive in round 2 in order to close the distance and get within reach. This allowed her to land a few serious hits that stunned Amanda and completely changed the dynamic of the fight. Juliana knew she needed to win at that moment and managed to find a rear choke opening from the grapple. Amanda tapped out and the match ended in round 2.
