Sean Sheehan 
Photo Credit: Zuffa
Photo: Zuffa
As the UFC begins its month long hiatus from action, the MMA fan might be feeling like there is a void left to fill. As luck would have it, the premier league starts this weekend and for the next ten months we can fill any holes in our schedule with humdingers like Man United vs. Chelsea and West Brom vs. Bournemouth.
The only problem is, maybe some MMA fans aren’t as familiar with their premier league teams as they are with the intricacies of a gogoplata. That’s where I come in to help. Here is a team-by-team guide to the premier league season starting this Friday.
Arsenal
Odds – 11/1
Fighter Equivalent – Frankie Edgar
Ex-champions with very vocal fans who are now struggling to reach the top.
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Bournemouth
Odds – 750/1
Fighter Equivalent – Sage Northcutt
Really nice and friendly with potential but it’s a long way from coming.
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Brighton
Odds – 750/1
Fighter Equivalent – Jeremiah Labiano
Don’t know much about them but we’ll probably know in a couple of months.
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Burnley
Odds – 1000/1
Fighter Equivalent – Zach Freeman
Gritty, hard to beat and well able to pull off a shock against one of the bigger names.
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Chelsea
Odds – 7/2
Fighter Equivalent – Amanda Nunes
Looked really strong champions last year but a few cracks have begun to emerge.
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Crystal Palace
Odds – 500/1
Fighter Equivalent – Lando Vannata
Exciting attacking options but questions over consistency as the opposition improves.
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Everton
Odds – 70/1
Fighter Equivalent – Volkan Oezdemir
Came out of nowhere but now seem to be actually pretty good.
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Huddersfield Town
Odds – 1000/1
Fighter Equivalent – Artem Lobov
Not many people expected them to get to the top but they could rattle a few cages all the same.
Photo: Getty Images
Leicester City
Odds – 250/1
Fighter Equivalent – Matt Serra
Surprised everyone by winning the championship but it all went quickly downhill after that.
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Liverpool
Odds – 11/1
Fighter Equivalent – Anderson Silva
Once the best, but no longer. Still holding on and hoping to recapture old glories.
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Man City
Odds – 7/4
Fighter Equivalent – Jon Jones
The most gifted with the best head coach on the way back from a barren patch.
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Man United
Odds – 10/3
Fighter Equivalent – Georges St-Pierre
Won it all and are on the way back to try and do it again.
Photo: Daily Star
Newcastle United
Odds – 500/1
Fighter Equivalent – BJ Penn
Their fans are the most passionate and hopeful but constantly find themselves disappointed these days.
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Southampton
Odds – 250/1
Fighter Equivalent – Everyone Ever On Cage Warriors Roster
Really great organisation that you leave as soon as you become good.
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Stoke City
Odds – 500/1
Fighter Equivalent – Joe Lauzon
Tough as nails but exciting to watch at the same time. Stuck at the mid level.
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Swansea
Odds – 750/1
Fighter Equivalent – Yair Rodriguez
Play a very aesthetically pleasing game but that’s what can also be their downfall at times.
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Tottenham Hotspur
Odds – 9/1
Fighter Equivalent – Tony Ferguson
Fun to watch with lots of talent but seem to be waiting too long to win a championship.
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Watford
Odds – 1000/1
Fighter Equivalent – Melvin Guillard
Constantly changing coaches. Can’t have too much time left near the top.
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West Brom
Odds – 750/1
Fighter Equivalent – Neil Seery
Hard working and tough with a never say die attitude.
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West Ham
Odds – 250/1
Fighter Equivalent – Ricardo Lamas
A bit better than you give them credit for, but still actually not that good.
Photo: Google Images
