Joey Davis – Syndication Server

Defying the odds: The 10 biggest MMA betting upsets of 2023

Check out the top 10 MMA betting upsets of 2023, according to the oddsmakers, across Bellator, the UFC, PFL and more.

Who doesn’t love a good upset?

In 2023, MMA saw its fair share of underdogs who defied the odds in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, and beyond. While everyone has an opinion of who should win and who should lose, the oddsmakers (and how the betting public responds) largely get the final say on what history reflects.

This year, with the help of MMA database Tapology, MMA Junkie has compiled the top 10 betting upsets of 2023. Fights that were eligible were those that multiple major online sportsbooks recognized, and that Tapology recorded before the close of the betting line.

Promotions eligible include UFC, Bellator, PFL, KSW, DWCS, Road to UFC, and ONE Championship.

Check out the top 10 MMA betting upsets of 2023 below. Only major MMA promotions were included in the tally.

Bellator 293 post-event facts: Unbeaten fighters fall on upset-heavy card

Check out all the facts and figures from Bellator 293, which featured a number of upsets, including a loss by a 16-1 favorite.

Bellator closed its March schedule Saturday with Bellator 293, which took place at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif.

The main event saw the late career success of [autotag]Daniel James[/autotag] (15-6-1 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) continue. He added to his case as a potential heavyweight contender to watch when he beat [autotag]Marcelo Golm[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) by third-round knockout.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from Bellator 293.

Bellator 293 salaries: Cat Zingano, Daniel James lead the pack with six-figure disclosed paydays

Check out the disclosed pay for all 30 fighters on Bellator 293, according to the California State Athletic Commission.

Thirty fighters competed Friday at Bellator 293 with [autotag]Cat Zingano[/autotag] and [autotag]Daniel James[/autotag] leading all disclosed payouts.

California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive director Andy Foster released a full list of fighter payouts Friday to MMA Junkie. The amounts reflect the disclosed payouts only and do not include any off-contract bonuses, sponsor payments, or discretionary bonuses.

The main event and co-main event winners were the only two fighters to pocket six-figure disclosed paydays as a result of their performances Friday. Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Zingano (14-4 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) earned $100,000 flat for her unanimous decision win over [autotag]Leah McCourt[/autotag] (7-2 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) in the co-main event. Then, main event winner James (15-6-1 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) earned to $50,000 show and a $50,000 win bonus for his victory over [autotag]Marcelo Golm[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 1-3 BMMA).

Scroll below to see what the 30 fighters on Bellator 293 were paid – disclosed amounts only.

Bellator 293 pre-event facts: Prelim fighter can make history with sixth straight first-round KO

No fighter in Bellator history has ever started their tenure with the promotion by earning six straight first-round knockouts.

For the first time since October 2019, Bellator will travel to Temecula, Calif., on Friday with Bellator 293, which takes place at Pechanga Casino Resort with a main card that airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

A matchup of surging heavyweight contenders will be featured in the main event. [autotag]Marcelo Golm[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Daniel James[/autotag] (14-6-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) will put their unbeaten promotional records on the line as they meet in a five-round contest that will elevate the winner into the title conversation.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about Bellator 293.

Bellator 293 fight card finalized with additions of Sullivan Cauley, Joey Davis, more

Check out the full lineup for Bellator 293, a 16-fight card filled with various undefeated prospects.

The full fight card for Bellator 293 is locked, pending any unforeseen withdrawals.

As previously announced, the card is headlined by heavyweight contenders [autotag]Marcelo Golm[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Daniel James[/autotag] (14-6-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA), and also features a co-main event between [autotag]Leah McCourt[/autotag] (7-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) and [autotag]Cat Zingano[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 3-4 BMMA). The event airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

On Tuesday, the promotion announced its full 16-fight card for March 31 at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. New additions include undefeated top prospects [autotag]Sullivan Cauley[/autotag] (5-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA), [autotag]Joey Davis[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA), [autotag]Lance Gibson Jr.[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA), and [autotag]Lucas Brennan[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA).

Additionally, Bellator has signed three-time NCAA Division I All-American [autotag]Bryce Meredith[/autotag] (3-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) to a multifight deal. He will debut against [autotag]Brandon Carrillo[/autotag] (1-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).

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Below is the full Bellator 293 lineup:

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET)

Marcelo Golm vs. Daniel James
Leah McCourt vs. Cat Zingano
Aaron Jeffrey vs. John Salter
Rustam Khabilov vs. Jaleel Willis

PRELIMINARY CARD (7 p.m. ET)

Sullivan Cauley vs. Luke Trainer
Archie Colgan vs. Justin Montalvo
Jeff Creighton vs. Joey Davis
Lucas Brennan vs. Josh San Diego
Lance Gibson Jr. vs. Vladimir Tokov
Sara Collins vs. Pam Sorenson
Rakim Cleveland vs. Christian Edwards
Nick Browne vs. Mike Hamel
Ashley Cummins vs. Randi Field
Brandon Carrillo vs. Bryce Meredith
Maria Henderson vs. MacKenzie Stiller
Khonry Gracie vs. David Pacheco

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 293.

Top 10 Bellator dark horses to watch in 2021

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a look at his top 10 Bellator dark horses to watch in 2021.

Despite being held to just 18 events in 2020 due to the global pandemic, Bellator was able to keep the proverbial ball rolling in regards to fostering new names and cultivating homegrown talent.

Sure, it’s been easy to get excited about big-name signings like Yoel Romero or Anthony Johnson, but I think the promotion carries a quiet value with the offerings that are often found on their undercards. So, with that in mind, I decided to steer away from mainstream names or past grand prix competitors in order to focus on the dark horses whom I see either making their marks or (in some cases) taking a stab at a title in 2021.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 dark horses that I think you need to be familiar with this year.

Bellator 253: Joey Davis Post-fight Interview

4 burning questions heading into Bellator 253

MMA Junkie’s Simon Head takes a look at the storylines to follow ahead of Bellator 253 in Uncasville, Conn.

The Bellator featherweight grand prix will crown its first finalist at Bellator 253 as the promotion prepares to host its latest fight night at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday night.

Once again, the featherweight tournament will take center stage, with the semifinal clash between former bantamweight champion [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] and undefeated phenom [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] headlining the event, while former WEC and UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] returns to action against welterweight contender [autotag]Jason Jackson[/autotag] in the night’s co-headliner.

Undefeated prospects [autotag]Joey Davis[/autotag] and [autotag]Jay Jay Wilson[/autotag] are also set for action in as they bid to extend their perfect professional records, while bantamweight contenders [autotag]Keith Lee[/autotag] and [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] will face off as they attempt to progress toward a shot at championship gold at 135 pounds.

Bellator 253 takes place Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Here are four burning questions ahead of fight night.

Bellator 253 predictions: Who’s picking Darrion Caldwell to end A.J. McKee’s perfect run?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the Bellator 253 main card in Connecticut.

	Caldwell vs. McKee	Henderson vs. Jackson	Davis vs. Lee
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2020: 141-87	McKee (78%)	Henderson (72%)	Davis (84%)
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2020: 156-72	McKee	Jackson	Davis
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2020: 153-75	Caldwell	Henderson	Davis
Nolan King @mma_kings 2020: 152-76	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2020: 150-78	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2020: 148-80 2014 Champion	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Simon Head @simonhead 2020: 147-81 2019 Champion*	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2020: 146-82	McKee	Henderson	Davis
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2020: 143-85	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2020: 143-85 2017 Champion	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2020: 142-86 2018 Champion	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2020: 142-86	McKee	Henderson	Davis
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2020: 140-88	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2020: 138-90	McKee	Henderson	Davis
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2020: 86-142	Caldwell	Jackson	Lee

Bellator’s featherweight tournament continues this week with the first semifinal fight atop the bill.

Bellator 253 takes place Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network/DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, former bantamweight champion [autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 11-2 BMMA) takes on the unbeaten [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (16-0 MMA, 16-0 BMMA) in the first semifinal fight of Bellator’s 145-pound grand prix. McKee is a -233 favorite at BetMGM; the comeback on Caldwell is +190. McKee has a big 12-2 lead in the picks from our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-feature, former UFC and WEC lightweight champ [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] (28-9 MMA, 5-4 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Jason Jackson[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) at welterweight. Jackson is a -182 favorite, but it’s Henderson with a heavy 12-2 lead from our staff members.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Joey Davis[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) is a 4-1 favorite at welterweight against [autotag]Bobby Lee[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who is making his promotional debut. Only one of our pickers is taking Lee in an upset.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, McKee (78 percent), Henderson (72 percent) and Davis (84 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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Tag: Joey Davis