FX1 and Twenty First Group Partner to Launch New Combat Sports Betting Markets

FX1 has signed a global agreement with Twenty First Group to create an advanced combat sports betting framework for sportsbooks and prediction platforms. The partnership focuses initially on boxing and aims to bring both expanded pre-fight options and an enhanced in-play betting experience, blending FX1's AI-driven data systems with Twenty First Group's market modelling expertise.

FX1 and Twenty First Group: Building Next-Generation Combat Sports Betting

The partnership between FX1 and Twenty First Group, announced in San Diego on 22 September 2026, marks a strategic move to address long-standing limitations in combat sports betting markets. FX1 will contribute a substantial combat sports database—reportedly exceeding one million fights and over 500,000 fighters—aggregated from global sources. Central to their offering is MotionAI, a proprietary computer vision and machine learning platform capable of translating live fight video feeds into structured event data in real time.

Twenty First Group, recognised for its quantitative sports modelling and line-making, will shape the pricing and trading layer. Their approach aims to offer greater depth and consistency for regulated betting operators, closing the gap in product sophistication between combat sports and established betting verticals like football or tennis.

Focus on Boxing: Expanded Pre-Fight and Live In-Play Markets

The initial rollout will focus on boxing markets, offering wider pre-fight bets and a unique in-play betting experience for sportsbooks and prediction market platforms. This is possible due to FX1's extensive historical data and real-time event tracking, which allow:

• Deeper statistical analysis of fighter records and styles
• Predictive modelling of bout dynamics as events unfold live
• Reduced latency for bet settlement and live market adjustment

The companies plan to extend the model to mixed martial arts (MMA) and additional combat disciplines in subsequent phases.

Data-Driven Infrastructure: Addressing Gaps in Combat Sports

Despite strong global interest in combat sports, the lack of reliable, granular data has limited the sector's betting product development. Many current offerings rely on manual entry or delayed feeds, which restricts both the variety and responsiveness of in-play markets.

Damien Dau, Founder and CEO of FX1, explained,

"Combat sports have attracted huge global audiences for decades, but the data infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. It remains one of the hardest environments in sport to capture accurately in real time... We’ve spent years developing the technology and data foundation to help create that infrastructure. By combining FX1’s proprietary technology with Twenty First Group’s proven expertise in pricing and predictive intelligence, we have an opportunity to establish a new global standard for combat sports and unlock data, markets and experiences that haven’t been possible before." He emphasised the need for a tailored data layer as consumer engagement and viewing habits shift.

Will Stephenson, Chief Betting Officer at Twenty First Group, pointed to the challenges in market consistency:

"The performance of any betting product depends on the quality and depth of the intelligence behind it. Combat sports have enormous untapped potential, but the fragmented nature of the data has made it difficult to deliver the consistency and sophistication that are experienced in other major sports. FX1 has built an extraordinary wealth of combat sports data and technology, which, together with our proven modelling and line-making capabilities, gives us the foundations to set a new standard in the category. Together, our goal is to build the infrastructure and intelligence layer the entire combat sports category can benefit from."

Implications for Sportsbooks and Betting Platforms

By merging FX1’s real-time event recognition and database with Twenty First Group’s modelling, the project targets several pain points in the combat sports betting vertical:

• Operators gain access to more robust and timely market feeds
• Bettors see greater market variety, especially during live events
• The industry benefits from a scalable data and analytics infrastructure that can support growth into new combat sports disciplines

The solution is designed for regulated markets, but the infrastructure could also impact prediction market platforms seeking higher integrity and market depth.

Next Steps: Beyond Boxing to MMA and More

Following the boxing launch, FX1 and Twenty First Group intend to scale the solution to MMA and other combat sports. The joint roadmap prioritises:

• Dataset expansion to cover additional fight types
• Model tuning for unique event dynamics in MMA and related categories
• Integration support for sportsbook and prediction platform clients

Operators interested in next-generation combat sports betting products should track FX1 and Twenty First Group’s roadmap as it develops. The collaboration signals a growing recognition that advanced data and modelling can unlock value not just for betting platforms, but for the wider ecosystem of rights holders and fans. The project stands to push the standard for combat sports data and markets closer to the benchmarks already established in other major sports.