MMA Odds Watch: January Upsets

Eight upsets took place among the major MMA organizations in January, making it a relatively quiet month of oddsmaker surprises to kick of 2010. Topping the list was Sam Stout’s impressive decision victory over Joe Lauzon in the lightweight division at UFC 108. Stout survived a dangerous first round submission attempt and then put on a striking clinic to win the evening’s ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus as a +240 underdog. Following in second place was Evan Dunham, who as a +209 underdog defeated the heavily hyped Efrain Escudero at UFC Fight Night 20. Also on the list was Mackens Semerzier who had scored one of the biggest upsets of 2009 when he defeated Wagnney Fabiano, but this time had the tables turned when he was defeated by the +131 underdog Deividas Taurosevicious at WEC 46. Full results below.

MMA upset rankings for recent months:
- Top 50 Upsets For 2009
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009

Favorites won 78% of major MMA bouts in January, resulting in the relatively small number of underdog victories shown below. Four of the upsets took place in the WEC, three in the UFC, and one in Strikeforce. Four of the upsets were via decision, two came by KO or TKO, two were delivered by submission. Bouts that did not have posted oddsmaker’s lines did not qualify for the list.