As some of you may have gathered, I sometimes do a bit of writing. I actually just queried (or "pitched" if you prefer) the editor of Black Belt Magazine about the possibility of writing an MMA wagering guide for the publication. For those who are interested, here is the query:
March 3, 2010
Robert Young
Black Belt Magazine
Dear Mr. Young:
Once UFC 100 cracked 1.5 million Pay-Per-View buys, we all knew that MMA's popularity had transcended the arena of the fringe, underground sport that it once was and had officially gone mainstream. As one would expect, the money follows. Even a cursory glance around fight time at MMA fan forums like Sherdog make it clear that more and more people are betting on MMA through sites like Bodog, Bookmaker, and 5dimes. Not coincidentally, mixed martial arts media outlets like MMA Junkie and MMA Mafia are providing fans with tailored wagering information, such as Eric Foster's (Performify) analysis for UFC events.
Where is Black Belt in all of this? I have noticed that the magazine has been covering more and more MMA stories in the last couple of years, which is exactly what I think most of today's generation of martial artists want. I also believe that many of your readers are in the same position I was in barely more than a year ago: Interested in throwing down some cash on the sport they love, but unsure of where to start.
I'd like to write a 1500-word guide to wagering on MMA for Black Belt, which I would be happy to submit on spec and could have ready and on your digital doorstep within one week. Topics covered would include:
* recommended online sportsbooks
* what a betting line is and what it means
* how to break down a fight and understand a fighter's strengths and weaknesses
* how much to bet and why
* responsible betting and why it's important to stay in control of your hobby
Being successful at betting on MMA is not overly difficult, but it does require a passion for the sport and a firm understanding of proper wagering principles.
You'll remember that you published my article "Movies That Inspire" in the Aug. 2007 issue (my first publishing credit in fact, and I'm still proud that it was in Black Belt, a magazine that I've been reading since I was a child). I'm currently a journalism student at Salt Lake Community College and have since been published a number of times in our student newspaper, the Globe, as well as a handful of times online, including wagering analyses for UFCs 102, 103, and 108, currently available at mmaunderdogs.com.
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Chris Cockrell
I'll have you guys know that if he bites you fuckers are going to have to help me out with it by giving me ideas and doing some proofreading.
March 3, 2010
Robert Young
Black Belt Magazine
Dear Mr. Young:
Once UFC 100 cracked 1.5 million Pay-Per-View buys, we all knew that MMA's popularity had transcended the arena of the fringe, underground sport that it once was and had officially gone mainstream. As one would expect, the money follows. Even a cursory glance around fight time at MMA fan forums like Sherdog make it clear that more and more people are betting on MMA through sites like Bodog, Bookmaker, and 5dimes. Not coincidentally, mixed martial arts media outlets like MMA Junkie and MMA Mafia are providing fans with tailored wagering information, such as Eric Foster's (Performify) analysis for UFC events.
Where is Black Belt in all of this? I have noticed that the magazine has been covering more and more MMA stories in the last couple of years, which is exactly what I think most of today's generation of martial artists want. I also believe that many of your readers are in the same position I was in barely more than a year ago: Interested in throwing down some cash on the sport they love, but unsure of where to start.
I'd like to write a 1500-word guide to wagering on MMA for Black Belt, which I would be happy to submit on spec and could have ready and on your digital doorstep within one week. Topics covered would include:
* recommended online sportsbooks
* what a betting line is and what it means
* how to break down a fight and understand a fighter's strengths and weaknesses
* how much to bet and why
* responsible betting and why it's important to stay in control of your hobby
Being successful at betting on MMA is not overly difficult, but it does require a passion for the sport and a firm understanding of proper wagering principles.
You'll remember that you published my article "Movies That Inspire" in the Aug. 2007 issue (my first publishing credit in fact, and I'm still proud that it was in Black Belt, a magazine that I've been reading since I was a child). I'm currently a journalism student at Salt Lake Community College and have since been published a number of times in our student newspaper, the Globe, as well as a handful of times online, including wagering analyses for UFCs 102, 103, and 108, currently available at mmaunderdogs.com.
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Chris Cockrell
I'll have you guys know that if he bites you fuckers are going to have to help me out with it by giving me ideas and doing some proofreading.
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