BetOnline Creates UFC/WWE Synergy Specials

Following the news that Endeavor has acquired World Wrestling Entertainment with an aim to add its portfolio alongside the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the oddsmakers from BetOnline have created a handful of betting specials.

The specials were forward to me yesterday. They can be found in the MMA section of the website, so thought I would draw your attention to them in case you're unaware of their existence.

To be straight from the start, I don't particularly find any of these markers appealing. I'll explain my reasons as I get through the list.

Here's what they have.

1st UFC Fighter to Join WWE
In this market, customers can gamble on the '1st UFC Fighter to Join WWE' post-merger. The sportsbook has  Derrick Lewis listed at the top of the betting at +400. 

The rule in this market, as with most markets, states that this 'must occur in 2023 in an official WWE match'.

A 2023 timeframe isn't enough, in my opinion.

I could see some guys coming to TV with the intent to promote upcoming fights in the future especially if they're local to the area WWE is running. For example, I would not be surprised if Paddy Pimblett were brought in for a promo or angle when WWE is in the UK, but I cannot envision him 'in an official WWE match' by the end of 2023.

Only the names listed below qualify for this bet.

Nationality of 1st UFC Fighter to Join WWE
With Derrick Lewis favourite in the previous market, it's understandable to see 'American' at -125 in the market in which allows customers to gamble on the nationality of the '1st UFC Fighter to Join WWE'.

Just like with the previous market, the rules state that this 'Must occur in 2023 in an official WWE match' 

Will Dana White Become President of WWE?
When Endeavor announced its intent to have WWE and UFC under the same umbrella, the company revealed that Vince McMahon would be the executive chairman underneath CEO Ari Emanuel. As well as that, Dana White would retain his role as UFC President and Nick Khan was listed as WWE President.

+2,500 for Dana White to find his way into the job of WWE President would require a lot of things to fall into place (and for Nick Khan to obviously fall out of place!). Add in that this must happen within nine months and it seems, on paper, to be very unlikely.

Will There be a UFC Tag Team Matchup?
I find the wording of this market to be quite ambiguous especially if I were to be facetious and ponder whether the bookmaker is asking if UFC will offer tag team fighting. 

In my opinion, no athletic commission would ever allow this to happen in regulated combat sport. This especially within the next nine months because - once again - the term states that this must happen in 2023.

If I were to overlook that this is in the MMA section of the sportsbook and go with the idea that the sportsbook is asking if there will be a WWE tag team match with UFC fighters involved, then I would still doubt we'll see it within the parameter of 2023.

Will There be a UFC/WWE Co-Event in 2024?
Upon seeing this market for the first time, I liked that it had a bit more leeway by allowing the rest of 2023 and all of 2024 for this to play through. 

I do envision a scenario where either WWE or the UFC piggybacks on the other's big events. For example - if WWE were to host a show during UFC' s International Fight Week or vice versa.

The rules state that the co-event 'must happen at same venue or same day, or on consecutive two days with both UFC and WWE occurring'.

Going by how it's priced up, the bookmakers evidently think there is a shot of there being a UFC and WWE co-event within the next twenty months because the 'Yes' is a -140 favourite. 

I wouldn't argue with anyone thinking about siding with 'No' (+100), though. A lot of things have to be put in place while both entities navigate this new era as business relatives.

When available, these markets can be found under 'MMA Props' in the MMA section of the BetOnline Website.