January MMA Fight Stats Roundup

Four events were held in January across the major MMA promotions. This produced a total of 42 bouts including three title fights. The UFC held two events, Strikeforce and the WEC each held one apiece. Americans continued to make up the majority of the active fighters, with Brazil, Canada, and the Netherlands having good January representation. Welterweights were the most active division, decisions were the most common fight outcome, and the oddsmaker’s favorites won an impressive 78% of the time. Full results below.

Three titles were on the line in January, with Ben Henderson successfully knocking off former champion Jamie Varner to win the WEC lightweight title, Nick Diaz defeating Marius Zaromskis to win the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title, and Cris “Cyborg” Santos defending her Strikeforce 145 pound women’s belt against Marloes Coenen.

Fight Stats Roundups for Recent Months
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009

Of the 42 fights in the month, decisions continued to rise and were the most common fight outcome at 45%. 29% of bouts ended in submission and even fewer by KO or TKO.

As is normally the case, those fights that end inside of the distance usually are finished in the first round. There were more first round finishes than second and third combined.

Oddsmaker’s favorites won the majority of January bouts, with underdogs only victorious 22% of the time.

Welterweight was the busiest division in the month with 13 bouts across the major organizations, followed by lightweights with 9 bouts.

American fighters continued to be the busiest nationality with 64 fighters active, however it was the Canadians with the most impressive performance with all three active fighters pulling out victories, including emerging welterweight prospect Rory MacDonald.