Back by popular demand!

It’s world cup week so everyone in the sporting universe can’t help but get caught up in big tournament fever. Can Brazil do it? Will France live up to their potential? Can Messi/Ronaldo get Argentina/Portugal over the line? Most folks don’t know the answers to these questions; some don’t even know what the questions mean! That’s where I step in with my team-by-team guide to the 2018 world cup for the MMA fan in your life. Enjoy!

Group A

Russia

Fighter equivalent – Darren Till

Hometown advantage might see them surprise a few people.

Odds – 40/1

****

Saudi Arabia

Fighter equivalent – Jan Blachowicz

Good locally, but unlikely to cause too many problems to the big boys.

Odds – 1000/1

****

Egypt

Fighter equivalent – Nik Lentz

One extremely dangerous asset but limited outside of that.

Odds – 200/1

****

Uruguay

Fighter equivalent – Anthony Johnson

Devastating attack which probably won’t be enough to win anything.

Odds – 28/1

****

Group B

Portugal

Fighter equivalent – Stephen Thompson

One of the best in the world but the final hurdle could be a problem at world level.

Odds – 25/1

****

Spain

Fighter equivalent – Georges St-Pierre

Technically superb and unbeatable for years with possibly a little bit still left to achieve.

Odds – 6/1

****

Morocco

Fighter equivalent – Gian Villante

Not terrible, but not great either.

Odds – 500/1

****

Iran

Fighter equivalent – Ricky Rainey

Not bad at a lower level, unlikely to ever win at a higher level.

Odds – 500/1

****

Group C

France

Fighter equivalent – Cody Garbrandt

All the talent in the world, could be champion again soon but also may implode at any moment.

Odds – 13/2

****

Australia

Fighter equivalent – Bec Rawlings

Would probably be better off competing in a rougher, more violent sport.

Odds – 300/1

Peru

Fighter equivalent – Renato Moicano

Plucky South Americans with the sum of the parts being greater than the individual assets.

Odds – 150/1

****

Denmark

Fighter equivalent – Corey Anderson

Talented beasts who are probably not getting too much higher than their current position.

Odds – 100/1

****

Group D

Argentina

Fighter equivalent – Conor McGregor

The most talented attack in the world. Getting them to perform is the biggest issue.

Odds – 9/1

****

Iceland

Fighter equivalent – Aleksei Oleinik

The trickiest of underdogs. Can catch anyone if they aren’t fully prepared for what they bring.

Odds – 200/1

****

Croatia

Fighter equivalent – Joe Benavidez

Very good technically but just below the very best.

Odds – 33/1

****

Nigeria

Fighter equivalent – Donald Cerrone

Have qualities in all areas but none of which are enough to get them to the very top.

Odds – 200/1

****

Group E

Brazil

Fighter equivalent – Amanda Nunes

Brilliant attack, improving all the time. Might just be the best in the world.

Odds – 9/2

****

Switzerland

Fighter equivalent – Brad Tavares

Always a steady mid-level talent that shows up and performs respectably.

Odds – 100/1

****

Costa Rica

Fighter equivalent – Dheigo Lima

Fun to watch but won’t be around the big stage for too long.

Odds – 500/1

****

Serbia

Fighter equivalent – Alexander Volkov

Steady and hard to beat.

Odds – 150/1

****

Group F

Germany

Fighter equivalent – Stipe Miocic

One of the biggest hitters about to face their biggest test.

Odds – 5/1

****

Mexico

Fighter equivalent – Thomas Almeida

Always fun to watch. Usually ends up entertained but disappointed.

Odds – 100/1

****

Sweden

Fighter equivalent – Johny Hendricks

Still good but their ability to take them to world level has been relocated somewhere in America.

Odds – 125/1

South Korea

Fighter equivalent – Amanda Cooper

Will probably be outclassed and finished off early.

Odds – 500/1

****

Group G

Belgium

Fighter equivalent – Zabit Magomedsharipov

Exceptional talent in every area of the game. All that’s left to do is to prove it against the very best.

Odds – 11/1

****

Panama

Fighter equivalent – Ash Griffiths

Don’t know anything about them apart from the fact they are taking on someone we know.

Odds – 1000/1

****

Tunisia

Fighter equivalent – Mike Jackson

Also coming in here to take on someone we know.

Odds – 750/1

****

England

Fighter equivalent – Frankie Edgar

Talk a great game. Insane fans. Won the world title like 50 years ago. Won’t win it again in the near future.

Odds – 16/1

****

Group H

Poland

Fighter equivalent – Bryan Caraway

Only see them every few years but they always seem to still be relatively good.

Odds – 66/1

****

Senegal

Fighter equivalent – Glover Teixeira

Way better upon inspection than taking them at face value. Plenty of talent.

Odds – 150/1

****

Colombia

Fighter equivalent – Jimi Manuwa

Great attacking options which will be useless because of deficiencies elsewhere.

Odds – 40/1

****

Japan

Fighter equivalent – Felice Herrig

Very hard-working. Difficult for anyone but should be beaten by more talented outfits.

Odds – 300/1