Mixed Martial Arts is considered by many to be one of the most thrilling and unpredictable sports on the planet… and for good reason. From the mind-blowing knockouts of the UFC Octagon to the more tactical battles in Bellator, there is never a dull moment to be had. Watching the action brings plenty of excitement in itself. However, for anyone looking to crank it up to the next level, throw money in the mix and enjoy a bit of MMA betting!
Bookies offer all sorts of sports to bet on these days – soccer, baseball, niche sports and even virtual sports betting – but MMA is like none other out there. This isn’t like placing a bet on football or any other normal team sport. MMA is raw, it’s real, and it’s as close to the action as you can get without actually stepping into the cage yourself.
So, here’s everything you need to know about MMA betting… and a few tips and strategies to help you along the way.
More Than Just Picking a Winner
Sure, going for standard moneyline bets (aka choosing the winner) is the easiest way to get into it, but these bets are just the tip of the iceberg. If you know what you’re doing, you’ll be able to maybe try out the plethora of betting options that can add a bit of substance to your MMA betting experience.
So, with that being said, here are the main MMA betting markets you might want to look into:
Moneyline (Betting on the Winner)
This is the most common MMA bet for obvious reasons. You just need to pick who you think will win the fight – it’s as simple as that. But don’t let that simplicity fool you. In MMA, it’s not that uncommon for the underdog to overcome the odds!
Method of Victory
This one’s betting on how a fighter wins… by knockout (KO/TKO), submission, or decision. It’ll give you longer odds, so a better potential payout. So, if you’re confident in a striker or a jiu-jitsu ace, you can use your knowledge to your advantage.
Round Betting
If you want to predict not only the winner, but the exact round in which you think the fight will end, then this one’s for you. Round betting is for those who like to add a bit of a risk – and it’s great if you know which fighters are known for early (or late) finishes.
Over/Under Rounds
If you think you know whether it will last long or not – but you’re not confident enough to bet on the actual round it will end, then this one could be a possible choice. Bookies will set an over/under line on how many rounds the fight will last (potentially 2.5 rounds). So, if you think the fight will be over quickly, bet on under. However, if you think it will be a grind, then over is your friend.
Parlays
You can also combine a few different bets across different fights into one big bet. They aren’t for the faint-hearted though – they’re high-risk, high-reward… one wrong prediction and you’ll lose the lot.
MMA Is Unpredictable – And That’s What Makes It Awesome
Unlike a lot of other sports, where the results are largely influenced by things like structure, coaching, and teamwork, an MMA fight can be turned on its head in a second. One big punch or submission attempt can make all your analysis seem like a waste of time.
It sounds less than ideal for punters, right? Well, not really… because with that unpredictability comes opportunity.
Because the margins are generally razor-thin, the betting markets don’t always necessarily reflect true probability of outcomes. This means that those who do their homework can often find value, especially when the public has over-hyped a big-name fighter who isn’t living up to his reputation… or he’s facing a style he doesn’t necessarily do so well against.
What to Look For Before You Bet
Before you place any bets, here are some of the factors you need to consider:
1. The Different Fighter Styles
Is it a striker vs. grappler? A Southpaw vs. orthodox? Style matchups are everything when betting on MMA. A dangerous submission specialist can easily catch out a striker who doesn’t have a proper ground defence.
2. Fight Camp
Is the fighter you’re betting on from a top-level camp like American Top Team, AKA, or City Kickboxing? If they train at a top-quality camp, they’ll have better sparring partners, better game plans, and better weight management.
3. Weight Cut History
Cutting too much weight can be risky come fight day. A fighter with a tough cut might end up looking a bit flat on fight night – and their opponent will have the edge. Watch out for any last-minute weigh-in drama.
4. Injury Reports and Layoffs
If a fighter has recently recovered from surgery or a long layoff, it’s a red flag. Ring rust is a real thing!
Some of the Most Legendary Bets in MMA History
Given the unpredictability, let’s take a look at some of the most talked-about and legendary MMA betting stories ever:
- Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey in UFC 193: Holm was considered a massive underdog – but those bettors who saw the striking mismatch made a killing from it!.
- Matt Serra vs. Georges St-Pierre in UFC 69: This was quite possibly the biggest upset in UFC history. A $100 bet on Serra would have paid out more than $800 to those smart enough to put their money on him.
- Julianna Peña vs. Amanda Nunes in UFC 269: Another underdog story that shocked the MMA world… and paid out handsomely!
Top Tips for MMA Punters
Ready to get going? Then here are some tips to help you on your way…
- Bet with your head, not your heart. Don’t bet on a fighter because you like him… look at the facts.
- Follow the weigh-ins and press conferences. You’ll be able to spot any red flags or confidence issues.
- Avoid big parlays. The bigger the parlay, the bigger the risk – and in MMA, anything can happen!
- Study the fighters’ past performances. You need to watch both fighters in action to get an idea of how they stack up against each other.
Fight Smart… and Bet Smarter
MMA is incredibly exciting to bet on… and full of upsets. No matter whether you’re putting your money on a UFC title fight or a big Bellator brawl, there’s always some value bets to be had.
Remember, keep your cool, do your homework, and have fun!