FX1 and Twenty First Group to Revolutionize Combat Sports Betting with AI Data

In the world of sports betting, there are niches that, despite having millions of fans, are still in their technological infancy. While soccer or tennis are analyzed down to the smallest detail, combat sports often remained a fragmented field with patchy data. This is now set to change fundamentally. FX1 and Twenty First Group have joined forces to create a technological infrastructure that takes combat sports betting to a completely new level. The focus is not just on traditional win bets, but on deep live markets that react directly during the exchange of blows.

The cooperation bundles two specialized areas of expertise. FX1 brings a massive database and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence to the marriage, while Twenty First Group contributes its experience in mathematical modeling and pricing. The goal is clearly defined: to provide bookmakers and prediction market platforms with a depth of data that was previously simply not technically possible. Initially, the offering focuses on boxing, but expansion into Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and other fighting styles is already firmly planned.

Numbers and facts

The technological foundation of FX1 is impressive. The company possesses a database covering more than one million fights and approximately 500,000 individual fighters. The heart of the analysis is the so-called MotionAI system. This technology is capable of analyzing live competitions using video streams. In doing so, fighter movements and actions are converted into data points and predictive inputs in real time.

According to the participating companies, combat sports are considered underserved in regulated betting markets. Data is said to be too heavily fragmented across various disciplines, associations, events, and regions. This has previously limited the depth and variety of markets that operators could offer their customers. Will Stephenson, Chief Betting Officer at Twenty First Group, sees enormous untapped potential here, as the fragmented nature of data has been a barrier to market development.

Background

Why is this development so relevant right now? Combat sports like boxing and MMA attract a huge global audience, yet the digital infrastructure lags behind. Damien Dau, founder and CEO of FX1, emphasizes the difficulty of the task. According to Dau, combat sports remain one of the hardest environments to capture data accurately in real time. The new partnership is intended to create a layer specifically built for the future of fan engagement.

“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.” - Damien Dau, CEO of FX1

The goal is to build an intelligence layer that benefits the entire category. When a boxer's movements in the ring can be instantly translated into probabilities for the next knockdown or the hit rate, entirely new incentives for viewers and bettors emerge.

Why it matters for German players

For German betting fans, this news is particularly interesting as the German market is strictly regulated by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Sports betting in Germany is only permitted with providers listed on the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). This regulation stipulates that only certain types of bets are permissible. In-play bets or event bets during a fight are subject to strict checks to ensure player protection.

Technologies like FX1's could help German licensed bookmakers offer safer and more precise odds that meet regulatory requirements. German players must, however, continue to adhere to the applicable limits: the monthly cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros, monitored via the LUGAS system, remains in place. Connection to the OASIS blocking file is also mandatory for every legal provider. The new data markets could therefore enrich the offering, as long as they remain within the framework of the German permitted catalog.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a GGL license, this move represents an opportunity for differentiation. While many providers focus on soccer, combat sports offer growing target groups. By using professional data feeds, licensed German bookmakers can prevent customers from migrating to illegal offshore providers from Curacao or Malta, which often advertise riskier and unregulated betting markets.

The integration of AI-powered real-time data also allows operators to improve their risk management. Since the GGL places great value on the integrity of sports, precise data helps to detect suspicious betting patterns or manipulation more quickly. A transparent global standard, as envisioned by FX1 and Twenty First Group, benefits the seriousness of the entire market. However, German providers will have to carefully check which of the new live options are compatible with the strict local guidelines for event betting.