Miranda Maverick generally doesn’t give much importance to the analysts, unless she’s seeking some extra motivation as a UFC fighter.
She will glance at the pre-fight odds, sometimes even inspecting the prognosticators’ opinions on her potential success. She will view their preview videos and attentively listen to their analysis of her abilities.
It’s not about vanity or solely for educational purposes; rather, it is driven by motivation.
In an interview with PlayVirginia, she expressed her commitment to watching as many videos as possible. These videos range from interviews of people discussing the fight to previews, all in an effort to immerse herself in the event. She explained that this practice serves two purposes: boosting her confidence and fueling her motivation. Sometimes, the content she consumes fuels her determination, while at other times, it simply angers her, pushing her to work even harder.
Maverick, hailing from Norfolk, is an accomplished graduate student at Old Dominion University. In the UFC women’s flyweight division, this 23-year-old rising star has been making waves. This Saturday, at UFC 260 in Las Vegas, Maverick (8-2) aims to secure her fifth consecutive win as she takes on Gillian Robertson (9-5).
Due to a string of COVID-related adjustments to the upcoming weekend’s event lineup, Maverick has secured a position on the highly anticipated pay-per-view main card scheduled for Saturday. This is a significant opportunity, as it places her in the spotlight of one of the most highly anticipated fight cards of the year.
Many fight enthusiasts will tune in, but do they truly comprehend what awaits them from her?
Bettors unsure with Miranda Maverick
Maverick is the frontrunner with odds of -175 at Virginia sports betting apps for UFC 260. To secure a $100 profit, one would have to place a bet of $175 if she emerges as the winner.
The probabilities for this matchup have remained fairly consistent, unlike previous fights. Prior to joining the UFC, Maverick competed in the all-female Invicta FC promotion, which acts as a developmental league for the UFC. In her last Invicta FC fight, the betting odds heavily favored Maverick initially, but as the fight approached, the majority of bets were placed on her opponent, Pearl Gonzalez. Despite being considered the underdog by the end, Maverick confidently secured a straightforward victory by decision.
In her first UFC appearance, she initially started as a humble -140 favorite against Liana Jojua. However, as the fight approached, a significant amount of money was placed on Maverick, causing the odds to skyrocket to -465. Eventually, she secured a first-round TKO victory with a devastating elbow strike.
Despite the current situation, Robertson remains skeptical about the odds being against her. She believes that MMA bettors haven’t truly understood her abilities yet, as she frequently finds herself surprised by the evaluations made in breakdown videos by aspiring handicappers.
She stated that she doesn’t believe it’s necessarily their misconception about her that is incorrect. The flaw lies in their method of analysis, according to her. Many individuals only view a single UFC fight I’ve participated in, or they limit their observations to my most recent two fights. Some even resort to searching for my name on YouTube, where they mostly find videos of me losing or from my amateur days four years ago. I find it frustrating because there has been a significant transformation since then.
It’s quite amusing to hear people saying things like, “Maverick lacks a ground game,” when in truth, that was my main focus before my last UFC fight. Similarly, people claim that I don’t have strong defense against wrestling and that I’m not skilled in that area. Frankly, I don’t understand what these individuals are watching. I suppose everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.
UFC 260 odds for Maverick vs. Robertson
Who is Miranda Maverick exactly? What type of fighter does she embody?
Upon initial observation, the ODU student’s impressive physical prowess becomes apparent. Despite her hectic schedule dedicated to pursuing a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology, she evidently prioritizes her time at the gym. Moreover, she has successfully harnessed this strength to develop an exceedingly efficient combat technique.
According to Dan Tom, a well-known MMA analyst and host of “The Protect Ya’ Neck Podcast,” Miranda Maverick’s style impresses him because she effectively combines intelligence and aggression. As a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Maverick demonstrates intelligent decision-making on the ground, which can be advantageous when facing aggressive grapplers. Additionally, she exhibits good striking skills and is not afraid to engage in exchanges, despite previously having addressed eye issues.
Here are the latest odds at Virginia sportsbooks, as of Thursday afternoon, which highlight some of the reasons why Maverick is favored in this bout.
| Maverick | Robertson | Over 2.5 rounds | Under 2.5 rounds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | -175 | +138 | -177 | +130 |
| William Hill | -165 | +140 | -400 (1.5 rounds) | +275 (1.5 rounds) |
| FanDuel | -172 | +140 | -158 | +124 |
| BetMGM | -160 | +135 | -185 | +150 |
| WynnBet | -165 | +140 | -170 | +145 |
| BetRivers | -175 | +138 | -177 | +130 |
Maverick has never placed bets on her own fights or any others, except for some casual wagers with friends. However, despite her efforts to climb the MMA ladder, her current earnings are far from substantial. Additionally, being a graduate student means she doesn’t have much money to spare. Thus, she is not involved in MMA betting. Nevertheless, with sports betting now legal in Virginia and her extensive understanding of the fight game, that could potentially change.
“I might,” she quipped, “once I have some spare money to play with.”
However, what about those fight enthusiasts who are interested in placing a bet on UFC 260? Are there any forecasts or predictions for her upcoming match against Robertson?
“TKO,” she declared confidently, “in the second round.”
FanDuel offers odds of +500 for Maverick to win by KO/TKO, while William Hill offers odds of +1,000 for Maverick to win in the first round.
Future UFC title contender?
Maverick’s anticipated graduation year is 2022. Her ultimate goal is to secure a position either at a Fortune 500 company or within a sports organization.
For the next few years, her main focus outside of the classroom will be on MMA.
Maverick possesses the necessary skills to achieve great things. By defeating Robertson, currently ranked at No. 15 in the UFC rankings, Maverick could secure a world ranking for herself. Furthermore, by continuing her winning streak, she might even earn an opportunity to challenge the reigning 125-pound champion, Valentina Shevchenko.
It is a well-known fact that UFC officials do not often grant title shots solely based on merit. Maverick understands that she not only needs victories but also a strong fan base. She is actively working on achieving both objectives. Nevertheless, unlike certain contenders who rely on their words as much as their fighting skills to earn opportunities, Maverick firmly stated that she will stay true to her own approach.
“Making an effort to promote myself is something I do. However, I also make it a point to maintain humility in doing so, if that makes sense,” she explained. “I am aware of the potential downsides that can arise in the future if one becomes excessively arrogant.”
I aim to demonstrate the rewarding outcomes of a strong work ethic. I did not originate from a wealthy family, nor did I have a lineage of professional athletes or fighters. None of those circumstances favored me. Instead, I have diligently persevered with the support of my well-wishers, faith in God, and the unwavering backing of my family to reach my current position.
Related Articles
