How a fighter's acclimatisation affects the odds

The fighter steps into the ring under the scorching Las Vegas sun, but just yesterday he was practising his punches in damp Moscow. Will he be able to cope with the strain? Acclimatisation is not just a fancy term, but something that can determine the outcome of a fight. For those who like to bet on sports, knowing how a change in climate or time zone affects a fighter is like a tip from an old friend. Here are a few thoughts on how to make the right predictions.

Time zones: fighting an invisible enemy

Changing time zones, as confirmed by players on the website https://cv666-casino.net/, is like a sneaky blow. Your sleep is disrupted, your appetite disappears, and your body feels foreign. They say that for every hour of difference, you need a day to recover. A flight from Moscow to Los Angeles, where the difference is 10 hours, can wear a fighter out for over a week.

Fighters who arrive a day or two before the fight often look like they've been dragged out of bed. Take Khabib Nurmagomedov: in 2018, he flew to New York a week before the fight and destroyed his opponent. Those who save time often lose not to their opponent, but to fatigue. For betting, this is a hint: if a fighter has just gotten off a plane, his chances may be lower than they seem.

By the way, smart athletes arrive in advance and train in similar conditions. This saves them from jet lag, but requires money and planning. Take a look at the fighter's social media: they often write when he arrived.

Climate and altitude: from heat to lack of air

Climate is another pitfall. A fighter accustomed to the coolness of the gym may run out of steam by the middle of a fight in sweltering Thailand. Heat, humidity or dry desert air are just as exhausting as an opponent. And in Mexico City, at an altitude of 2,200 metres, the air is so thin that even champions wheeze like beginners.

Altitude is a trap in general. It takes a couple of weeks for the body to get used to the lack of oxygen. Without this, punches lose their power and legs become heavy. In 2017 in Mexico City, many favourites unexpectedly lost because they did not take the altitude into account. If a fighter has not trained in the mountains, he is likely to lose in long fights.

Interestingly, local fighters have an advantage here. They have been breathing this air since childhood, while visitors suffer. Check where the fighter trained; this may be the key.

Psychology and everyday life: small things that matter

Acclimatisation is not just about the body. A change of scenery, a foreign language, unfamiliar food: all of this gets on your nerves. A fighter who can't find his favourite rice or hasn't had enough sleep is no longer as confident. In 2021, one UFC fighter in Abu Dhabi complained that the local food threw him off his game before a fight.

In fact, such little things can ruin everything. The team helps: the coach, sparring partners, even the chef create a little piece of home. If a fighter has already fought abroad and won, he most likely knows how to deal with these problems. This is important for betting.

How to use this for betting

So, how do you bet wisely? First, find out how long the fighter has been in the new location. The longer, the better. Then check where he trained: a camp in a similar climate or at altitude is a plus. And don't forget about experience. Fighters like Jon Jones have already learned how to cope with flights.

Sometimes bookmakers don't take these nuances into account. The odds can be misleading: the favourite has just arrived, while the underdog has been breathing the local air for a week.