Interested in MMA? Place a couple of bets on 22Bet and check out the new movie on the topic.
At first glance, movies might seem like mere entertainment. But if you dig a little deeper, films can be a great tool for analyzing sports—especially powerful ones like The Smashing Machine, hitting theaters on October 3. Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, plus director Benny Safdie—this combo isn’t just for show, it’s about immersing yourself in the real world of MMA and sports betting.
The film tells the story of Mark Kerr, a legend of mixed martial arts who fought during a time when the UFC had almost no rules: no gloves, no weight classes, no restrictions. It was all about raw instinct, pain, and strategy. And that’s exactly why films like this matter to those who want to place thoughtful bets.
First of all, movies help you understand an athlete’s psychology. When you see how Kerr deals with pressure, injuries, and personal demons, you realize that behind every fight is more than just physical condition—there’s an internal battle. That insight can be useful when betting on a fighter who’s had weight cut issues or is going through a rough divorce—you already know how such factors might affect the outcome.
Secondly, a film like The Smashing Machine shows how the sport has evolved. How the rules changed, which styles dominated, what strategies worked in the past but are now outdated. It helps you compare eras and draw conclusions—like understanding that today, takedown defense is crucial, whereas back then, one powerful strike could be enough.
And finally, movies like this act as an emotional X-ray. You don’t just know a fighter’s stats—you feel them. Dwayne Johnson nails it—he doesn’t just play Kerr, he becomes him. And that means you’re not watching numbers, you’re watching a person. That helps you analyze future fights more deeply.

While The Smashing Machine is still gearing up for release, we can already look forward to more than just acting awards—we can expect analytical insights too. Films teach us to see sports not as a set of odds, but as a living, breathing organism. And if you want to bet smart—start with a good movie.
Because, as experience shows, a bet made with understanding is already half the victory.
Betting on MMA isn’t just about picking a winner. This sport is unpredictable — and that’s what makes it special. One punch can change everything, even if a fighter has been losing the entire match. That’s why it’s important not just to look at the odds, but also to understand the fighters’ styles.
Some are strong in wrestling, others are great strikers. Sometimes a fighter does well against aggressive opponents but struggles with more technical ones. You need to consider how the fighters match up, how they performed in recent fights, and whether they have any injuries.
It’s also important to know the fight format — three rounds or five, main card or undercard. Fights often end early in MMA, so bets like “win by knockout” or “win by submission” are very popular.
The key is not to bet randomly. It’s better to study the fighters, watch some videos, and think about how the fight might play out. That way, MMA betting becomes more interesting and thoughtful.