MMA Math (MMATH) is a widely ridiculed “system” used by some fans; sometimes unintentionally. Although its flaws are well documented the benefits are often overlooked. Let’s take a look at how the “system” works, explain why it fails, and then look at some of the benefits.
How the ‘system’ works
MMA Math is a combination of basic math and six degrees of Kevin Bacon. The basic math part is this:
IF A > B
AND
B > C
THEN
A > C
For numbers this work out nicely, for example:
Let A = 4, B = 3, C = 1
4 > 3 (check)
3 > 1 (check)
4 > 1 (check!)
The way this plays out in MMA terms is that instead of using numbers, we use actual fighters. We also assume that greater than ( > ) means beat. For example:
Let A = Pedro Rizzo, B = Josh Barnett, C = Big Nog
Pedro Rizzo > Josh Barnett (check, Pedro did beat Josh)
Josh Barnett > Big Nog (check, Josh did beat Nog)
Pedro Rizzo > Big Nog (uhh…)
The users of MMA Math would have you believe that since Pedro beat someone who beat Nog, he would likely beat Nog as well. Users of this system will attempt to use the above ‘logic’ when predicting winners of future fights and when ranking current fighters.
The six degrees of Kevin Bacon factors into this because of the large number of fighters needed to build a connection in some cases. For example,
Miguel Torres > Takeya Mizugaki > Jeff Curran > Charles Bennett > Todd Carney > Ahron Davis > Mike Kyle > Tsuyoshi Kohsaka > Fedor Emelianenko
MMA Math Flaws
Let’s take a look at a few of the main flaws with this “system”.
Unbeaten > All
Since an unbeaten fighter hasn’t lost to anyone, there is no way anyone can be ranked “above” them. This means every 1-0 fighter is “greater” than someone who is 30-1.
Can’t have it both ways
Another issue with the MMA Math approach is that in many cases the “logic” goes both ways. Above we used MMA Math to “prove” that Pedro Rizzo was greater than Big Nog, but what happens if we apply MMA Math in the other direction…
Big Nog > Josh Barnett (check, Big Nog did beat Josh Barnett)
Josh Barnett > Pedro Rizzo (check, Josh Barnett did beat Pedro)
Big Nog > Pedro Rizzo (uhh…)
So on one hand our “system” showed that one fighter was better than another fighter. Yet here we have proof using the same system (and the same fighters) that it is actually the other way around.
What you will often find is that if MMA Math can prove Fighter A > Fighter B, then it likely could also be used to show that Fighter B > Fighter A.
Looking at another example from above, consider:
Fedor Emelianenko > Matt Lindland > Pat Miletich > Andre Pederneiras > Rumina Sato > Ryan Ackerman > Miguel Torres
So which is it? Is Fedor > Miguel, or is Miguel > Fedor?
Benefits of MMA Math
The flaws with MMA Math are often noted, but many seem to ignore the good the system brings with it. Let’s consider a few things shall we…
Everyone Loses
Even though the vast majority of fighters (even the best of the best) have at least one loss, many still are shocked when a fighter actually loses. Some will claim a fighter is washed up if they drop 2 out of 3, or immediately assume they are through if they finally lose once after having won more than a dozen in a row.
To provide even more numbers consider that of the fighters currently listed (as of 090819) only ~24% of them are undefeated. If that seems like a lot consider that only ~0.25% of the fighters with a win on their record and a current rating over 1800 are undefeated. Again, it’s “easy” to be 1-0, but to actually stay unbeaten (especially against reasonable competition) is quite difficult.
Everyone is connected
In addition to helping show that everyone loses, MMA Math can help us see just how connected MMA fighters are. People tend to get hung up on organizations and weight classes (among other things), but the truth is all of the fighters on the site are connected in some way. As you can see above, part of Fedor’s rating is because of Miguel Torres, and vice versa.
Examples
Let’s take a heavyweight who has never fought in the UFC and look how they stack up against Brock Lesnar (who only has 1 fight outside the UFC).
Mark Hunt > Wanderlei Silva > Keith Jardine > Brandon Vera > Frank Mir > Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar > Frank Mir > Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira > Josh Barnett > Mark Hunt
Maybe that seems easy because we were looking at two heavyweights. We can try going from a heavyweight to a lightweight…
Mark Hunt > Wanderlei Silva > Eugene Jackson > Ronald Jhun > Joe Stevenson
Joe Stevenson > Edwin Dewees > Robert Beraun > Ricco Rodriguez > Tsuyoshi Kohsaka > Fedor Emelianenko > Mark Hunt
What about going to a weight class outside the UFC? Let’s try going from super heavyweight to featherweight…
Mark Hunt > Wanderlei Silva > Yuki Kondo > Kiuma Kunioku > Genki Sudo > Mike Thomas Brown
Mike Thomas Brown > Renat Myzabekov > Colin Mannsur > Vidal Serradilla > Artur Mariano > Wanderlei Silva > Hidehiko Yoshida > Mark Hunt
Other Results
I’ve provided a few examples here, but there are tons of other interesting “matchups” to be found via MMA Math. To assist you in your search I present:
If you have any questions or issues please go here .