Advanced Data: Numbers Nerds Posit Controversial Theory That Training Helps Fighters

Inspired by Ryan Spann’s post-fight proclamation that the bout marked the first time he actually trained for a mixed martial arts fight, sports analysis firm CompuSport International have begun a statistical investigation to identify a potential correlation between training and performance, and early results are promising. Analysts noticed a marked improvement across all available performance data when a fighter received training in combat arts and applied that towards building a cohesive fighting style. While CompuSport, the official analytics partner of the UFC, acknowledged there appears to a clear link, they caution it’s still too early to draw any crazy conclusions like improving pay in the sport to improve fighters’ access to full-time training resulting in an increase in fighter quality.