Judo and other combat sports continue to struggle due to the UFC juggernaut

For generations, being classified as an Olympic sport was the be all and end all in the eyes of many sport governing bodies but that trend is certainly starting to change.

Judo has been a permanent Olympic sport since 1972 in the men’s sphere, 1992 in the women’s game and the amount of work and effort that went into securing that legacy for judo as a sport, can never be taken away.

However, trends within the way in which sport is consumed are changing drastically and the instantaneous nature of all sports coverage, means that the Olympic events that used to capture the imagination of all, are now resigned to enjoying public coverage every 4 years.

Consequently, sports such as judo can lose their impact in the eyes of the viewing public and in the world of combat sports, there has been a very prominent pretender to the throne in recent years.

The world of mixed martial arts (MMA) has become a huge business, originating in America but now all across the world, with huge events taking place every weekend.

As the flagship MMA competition on the planet, the UFC is seen by many as the pinnacle of the combat sports fraternity and it is in danger of blowing all other combat sports within the market out of the water.

In New Jersey, as with many other states, the UFC revolution is in full swing and with billions of dollars being invested within the sport, the growth of the UFC and MMA as a sport continues to be astronomical.

Up next on the packed UFC calendar is Liverpudlian Paddy Pimblett, who has captured the hearts of the American nation – despite being from the UK.

Pimblett looks to be one of the next in line for accolades and his upcoming fight against Jared Gordon on the main card in Las Vegas promises to be a classic.

Possessing a 19-3 winning and losing record, Pimblett appears to have no fear when it comes to the octagon and how he would love to put his excellent record even more into the public eye here.

He will be all too aware of what Jared Gordon has in his locker though and it could be a career defining fight for both men.

At -150 odds and offers with this betMGM bonus code (for New Jersey players), Paddy Pimblett starts as the slight favorite at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at UFC 282 and with thousands of scousers sure to be backing him to the hilt, going against Paddy Pimblett is always a risky bet.

Jared Gordon however has been around the block and his experience could be something Pimblett could come unstuck against. Drug problems and indifferent results have long blighted Gordon’s career but his talent within the UFC is undeniable.

At +250, he’ll need to produce something pretty good to overcome a rampant Pimblett but stranger things have happened in the world of the UFC.