The start of any New Year gives us an opportunity to make sporting predictions for the 12 months that lie ahead. MMA is no exception and 2023 promises to be memorable across all organizations and all divisions.
Here are some of the fighters that should be looking forward to a stellar year.
Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett has already made an impression in mixed martial arts. He’s one of just a handful of British fighters to have progressed in UFC and his shock of blonde hair makes him stand out whenever he steps into the Octagon.
Pimblett faced his toughest challenge when he took on Jared Gordon at UFC 282. While his win was met with some controversy, it added to an impressive record of 19-3-0 for the likable Liverpudlian.
The Englishman went into that fight as the favorite according to the MMA markets. Followers of the sport can track his, and other fighters’ progress via the top betting sites across 2023 and beyond.
Markets appear some way in advance of each big fight night and there will be a choice of bets for the biggest battles. Sbo.net publish one of the widest lists of sportsbooks and there will be options for fight winner, method of victory and more.
News stories and opinion articles appear which should offer key insight, and it’s also possible for readers to put that knowledge to the test. Each sportsbook linking to SBO will be happy to accept new customers, subject to eligibility and a completed registration form.
Following a secure sign up process, many of those betting operators will release a generous welcome bonus. A varied set of payment methods will handle financial transactions, while there will be other benefits beyond that opening offer.
Efficient help facilities, a choice of other sports, mobile betting and live markets should all be part of the package. It’s the perfect site to follow Paddy Pimblett’s progress, along with a host of other fighters looking to make a splash in 2023.
Magomed Ankalaev
Light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev was also in action at UFC 282 as he took on Jan Blachowicz for the vacant championship belt in this division. That belt remains up for grabs after an entertaining draw between the two men.
Ankalaev has been rising through the UFC ranks for some time and, while he may not have secured the title just yet, it’s surely only a matter of time. 2023 could well be the year that the 30-year-old rises to the top.
Casey O’Neill
The New Year should also provide a breakthrough for one of the most exciting young fighters in MMA. Casey O’Neill was born in Scotland, but now competes under the Australian flag. Aged 25, she has risen through the UFC rankings and will finish the year as the 11th ranked fighter in the women’s flyweight division.
O’Neill has an exceptional record at this early stage of her MMA career. She’s won all of her previous nine fights with three victories coming via knockout. A torn ACL hampered her progress in 2022, but Casey O’Neill is back and set to make up for lost time.
Jack Della Maddalena
One of the best welterweight contenders in UFC is the Australian fighter Jack Della Maddalena. He has suffered two defeats in his MMA career to date but one of those reverses came early on, before he signed up with Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Since then, it’s been an upward curve for the man from Perth. The fact that he has recorded no fewer than 11 knockouts from his 13 overall victories tells us that he’s a dangerous opponent who likes to get the job done quickly.
Bo Nickal
An unfortunate injury robbed Bo Nickal of the chance to make his UFC debut in December. It was a great shame for the American fighter and for MMA fans who are keen to see just how far this young Middleweight can go.
He impressed in Dana White’s contender series and breezed through the earlier stages of his MMA career with a 3 and 0 record. Having made his name in wrestling circles, Nickal is ready to work his way towards a UFC championship challenge. The year may have ended in frustration but Bo Nickal is all set for a stellar 2023.