Mixed martial arts has come on leaps and bounds in the last decade, with its acceptance as a true sport rather than an underground fight club for misfits. Today, it’s one of the most beloved sports in America, thanks to stars like Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, and Amanda Nunes.
Not only that, but MMA betting has also become popular. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing markets out there, and with so many different ways to bet on fights (bets before, during, and after), you’re spoiled for choice. Are you interested in getting into online MMA betting? In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know to get started and walk away with some cash at the end of the day.
Understand The Most Popular MMA Bets
The format of MMA betting is pretty similar to betting on boxing. However, MMA throws additional variables into the mix. And learning about these can make the difference between a disappointing loss and an exciting win.
There are several different types of bets you’ll find when it comes to MMA, but here are some of the most popular:
The Moneyline
This bet is all about who will win the fight. All online sports betting sites or sportsbooks give odds on each fighter’s chance of winning in this matchup, with one fighter as the underdog and the other as the favorite.
Underdogs take a plus sign and favorites a minus sign. For example, if a favorite gets listed at -300, you need to wager $300 to win $100. On the other hand, if an underdog gets listed as +300, if you bet $100 and they win, you get $300 in return.
Over/Under Rounds
Sportsbooks generally set a line on how many rounds will be fought or how long the fight will last. And it’s up to you if you think the match will go shorter or longer than that line. Rounds usually last at least five minutes.
So, if you wagered over 2.5 rounds and the fight lasted for three rounds, your bet would have been a winner. Conversely, you lose if you wagered under 2.5 rounds and the fight ends three minutes into the third round. But if the fight went four rounds, you would’ve won because there were more than two-and-a-half rounds.
Round Betting
Round betting is a wager on which fighter will win the fight at which specific round. Some MMA fighters have excellent records at winning their bouts early. So, if you’re to place your bet on a fighter who wins the first round – as Frankie Edgar did against Jose Aldo – your reward could be pretty lucrative.
Proposition Bets
These bets aren’t directly related or associated with Moneyline betting. Prop bets are prevalent among sports bettors because they offer various ways to wager on fights, including:
- players that are touching their gloves
- fight to go the distance
- points spread
- how the fight will end
The variety of prop bets offers multiple ways to get involved in fights. And this makes it a lot easier for casual bettors, giving them another option beyond betting money on their favorite fighter.
Futures Market
Futures betting usually has pretty high odds. It refers to who will win specific title bets and weight categories. You can predict the winner in each category, for example, heavyweight champion, featherweight champion, and light heavyweight champion.
Learn The Different MMA Rules
It’s crucial to fully understand the rules of MMA so that you can bet intelligently. For example, you need to know what’s allowed and not allowed during the fight and how points are scored. Because only then will you be able to put your knowledge to good use to win more bets.
Also, note that MMA matches can be won in various ways. A knockout (KO) occurs when a fighter is immediately knocked out by their opponent. A TKO or technical knockout stems from a referee stopping a fight due to a fighter being unable to defend themselves intelligently.
Another way to win an MMA match is through the judges’ decision. The fighter who performs best is awarded points, with the most points being declared the winner. There’s also submission, in which one fighter forces his opponent to tap out because he has applied a choke hold, for instance.
Learn all about it before you bet on an online sportsbook. That way, you’ll have a better understanding of each situation, and you’ll be able to make smarter decisions.
Find The Right Betting Website
Not all online sportsbooks will have the exact and complete offering for all MMA events. Some may only offer wagers on televised fights, while others may not list odds until a few hours before an event starts. You’ll need to compare different sites to find which one has the best betting options for you. Know what you want from the site so that you can quickly identify it when looking at other providers.
Takeaway
MMA betting popularity has undoubtedly soared in recent years. This market will only get bigger, and with the advent of online sportsbooks, it’s never been easier to bet on mixed martial arts. But you should still ensure you have all the correct information before placing your bets. That’s why we compiled this ultimate guide for you!