Betting Guide: MMA Odds, Bet Types, and More

Mixed martial arts has quickly grown into a popular sport around the world. UFC events and fights draw big audiences as sports fans enjoy the entertaining combat. Looking to bet on MMA on the best UFC betting sites, but don’t know where to start? Here’s a guide on MMA betting including how to bet, odds, lines, offers, and more.

Understanding Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Mixed martial arts is a hybrid sport that uses combined fighting techniques from boxing, karate, wrestling, Muay Thai, judo, etc. It actually can be traced all the way to the Greek Olympic games of the 7th century BCE. Back in the day, martial arts was a brutal sport with no rules or regulations. Fights were extremely bloody while deaths in the ring were common during fights. Deaths ended up being so common that MMA was eventually banned in 393 CE. 

The fighting style resurfaced some 1500 years later in 20th century Brazil as “vale tudo,” a term that means anything goes. It reached North America in the early 1990s, with the first MMA event happening in the city of Denver in 1993. This was UFC 1. We’ve now seen UFC 287 and beyond.

UFC and MMA fights take place in the octagon. It was created in that shape primarily for safety as the eight-sided fence surrounds the padded canvas.

UFC Fighter Weight Classes in MMA

UFC fighters fall into specific weight classes or divisions. Matchups are between fighters in the same weight class. Here’s a list of the weight classes. It will be helpful to understand the classes as you are starting to make betting picks on MMA fights.

Reading UFC Odds

You read MMA bets similar to how you would read other bets in popular sports. Underdog fighters in an MMA fight have a plus (+) sign while the favorites have a minus (-) sign. The larger the number is for the underdog’s odds, the less likely a sportsbook believes they will win the fight.

Similarly, the larger the number is for the favorite’s odds represented with a negative sign, the more likely the sportsbook believes they will win. For example, let’s say there’s a fight between Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman. Usman is the underdog with odds of +250 while Adesanya is the favorite with odds of -175.

It would take a $175 bet on Adesanya to win $100 while a $100 bet on Usman would win $250.

Bet Types and Odds on MMA Betting Sites

There are different bet types, betting lines, odds, and more for UFC fights. Here are some of the bet types you might see when you begin to bet on the UFC fights each week. You’ll need to know a little more about each bet type before you start throwing money at UFC Fight Night.

Moneyline Bet

A UFC moneyline bet is a wager on which fighter is going to win the fight. UFC sportsbooks will represent the favorite with negative odds while the underdog has positive odds. Most moneyline bets in UFC are two-way bets. You can pick either fighter to win. It’s not any more complicated than that. Check out the major UFC fight odds and pick a fighter to win.

For example, let’s say you decide you want to place a wager. You check out the best UFC betting apps for the latest UFC lines. Karl Williams is fighting Chase Sherman. Williams is a -410 favorite to win. This means you would have to bet $410 on Williams to win $100 if he was victorious.

Sometimes, odds will be offered for a draw. Draws are extremely uncommon when wagering on UFC events. When you check draw lines for UFC fights, if available, the odds are usually very long because less than two percent of fights end in a draw.

Over/Under Rounds (Totals)

There are also over/under bets for the total number of rounds in online MMA betting. This wager is based on how long the fight will last. You are betting on if the fight will go over or under the total rounds set by the sportsbook.

It’s common to see the best sports betting sites set the total for a UFC fight at 1.5 or 2.5 rounds. It’s usually 2.5 when it comes to betting on title fights. Let’s say the total number of rounds is 2.5. The odds for over 2.5 are -140 and the odds for under 2.5 are +150. If you place your UFC bet on the over, you need the fight to last three rounds or longer. A $140 bet on the over would win $100.

Round Betting

The best MMA betting sites will have what is called round betting. In online sports betting, this is when you are wager on which round you believe the fight will be won by a stoppage or by which fighter. You will see the odds for each fighter for each round of the fight.

The odds for round betting are usually longer. For example, in an Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya fight, Pereira is +175 to win in round one and +450 to win in round two. The underdog, Adesanya, is +1000 to win in round one and +1800 to win in round two.

You decide to bet on UFC fights online and select Pereira to win in round two. He ends up winning in the second round of the fight. If you bet $100, you would win $450.

Method of Victory

Method of Victory is a wager on the specific outcome of a fight. You predict who will win the fight and how they will win it. MMA usually has three victory decisions; knockout, submission, or judge decisions.

For example, Karl Williams might have +500 odds to win by submission or Chase Sherman. On the other side, Sherman has odds of +2800 to win by submission.

There are also double-chance bets for a method of victory wager. You can bet on Karl Williams to win by TKO or submission. This will reduce the odds. For example, you might see Karl Williams to win by KO/TKO/DQ or a Decision with odds of -330. It takes $330 to win $100 on this bet.

Prop Bets, Futures, and Live Bets

In MMA betting on UFC events, you have the option to make prop, future, and live bets. Prop bets involve wagering on specific events in a fight and can be placed on just about anything, making them a fun betting option. For example, you can bet on who will get the first knockdown, attempt the first submission maneuvers, and even whether the fighters will touch gloves.

Futures bets, on the other hand, allow you to wager on events that you expect to unfold in the mid to long-term future. These bets often have attractive odds, and if your predictions are correct, you stand to win a nice payout. For instance, you might bet on whether a certain fighter will continue to reign as the heavyweight champion until the end of the year.

Finally, live bets are wagers placed as the fight is happening. If you’re watching the fight and have a hunch that a fighter will get knocked out in the next round, you can bet on it. The odds for live bets are dynamic and updated based on how the contest unfolds, making them an exciting and fast-paced way to bet on MMA.

Best Sportsbooks for MMA and UFC Betting Odds

There are a solid number of sportsbooks and betting markets if you are looking to wager on the latest UFC fight. Here are some of the best sportsbooks and online betting sites for MMA betting and UFC events.

BetMGM is a popular sportsbook known for its range of solid features that include live betting and the ability to edit bets in your bet slip. It is a great option for bettors looking for great UFC odds, prop bets, and more. BetMGM also offers solid promotions to get started betting.

FanDuel is a well-regarded and trustworthy sportsbook. It is known for having great live betting options making it one of the industry’s best. It’s an excellent option for UFC bettors searching for betting odds and the famous same-game parlay that FanDuel has put on the map.

PointsBet is a sportsbook that has managed to establish a strong reputation due to some of the unique betting options it offers. These include its famous “Points Betting”.

Moreover, the sportsbook provides attractive offers such as second chance bets during the UFC season as it tries to compete with the best online sportsbook apps and websites.

DraftKings is a widely-used and reputable sports betting platform that offers a variety of features, including a rewards program that allows users to earn bonuses, odds boosts, offers, promotions, and more. Additionally, DraftKings provides users with solid UFC odds that compare well with the rest of the legal sports betting industry.

Caesars is known for having a great VIP loyalty program. You can start earning money on your spread bets, moneylines, and more right off the bet. It’s one of the best legal sportsbooks out there as you can get promotions, offers, bonuses, and more as you bet.

With a user-friendly interface and competitive odds, Betfred Sportsbook provides an enjoyable betting experience for both casual and professional bettors. The platform offers various betting options, including live in-play betting, accumulator bets, and cash-out options.

With a sleek and user-friendly interface, Tipico Sportsbook provides an enjoyable betting experience for both new and experienced bettors. The platform offers competitive odds, a variety of betting options including live in-play betting, and a convenient cash-out feature.

The BetRivers Sportsbook is a top choice for UFC bettors looking for a reliable and convenient platform to place their bets. BetRivers Sportsbook provides a seamless betting experience for both casual and professional bettors alike. The platform offers various UFC betting options for users to get in on the action.

Barstool

Barstool Sportsbook has made a name for itself through social media and a solid user-friendly platform. The sportsbook has offers that have included first-bet insurance, odds boosts, and more. Take a look at Barstool if you plan on betting on MMA and UFC fights.

MMA Betting Tips and Considerations

If you are getting into online gaming and betting, there are a few things to consider before betting on the latest MMA fight. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you start betting.

Check Striker Statistics

To make an informed bet on an MMA fight, it’s important to examine the striking stats of each fighter. These stats can include striking accuracy, strikes landed per minute, and strikes absorbed per minute. In fact, statistics indicate that the fighter with better striking ability wins over 60% of the time. This is particularly true in heavyweight divisions, where knockouts are more common.

Watch Out For Late Replacements

Occasionally, a fighter will withdraw from a bout before the fight, and a replacement fighter is called in to take their place. However, betting on a replacement fighter may not always be a wise decision. Throughout UFC history, replacement fighters have won less than 40% of their fights, making them a riskier betting option.

Parlay Your Bets

If you’re betting on favorites in MMA and looking for higher payouts, consider parlaying your bets. Since favorites usually have smaller returns, parlaying them together can increase your potential profits. Keep in mind, however, that parlaying multiple bets also carries more risk since you need to win all the fights in your parlay to cash your ticket.

As with any betting strategy, there’s a trade-off to consider. While parlaying can increase your potential profits, it also requires you to take on additional risk. Be sure to weigh the potential rewards against the risks before deciding if parlaying is the right approach for your MMA betting strategy.

Don’t Bet With Emotion

Don’t bet on a fighter just because you like them or want them to win. Do some research and develop a strategy. Blindly betting on your favorite fighters is not a winning strategy and you will see your bankroll diminish quickly. Analyze the big matchups to see what the best bets are.

Don’t Always Back Favorites

It takes more money to win when betting on favorites. If you bet on favorites every single fight, you will have to have an impressive record to turn a profit. To be successful, use research and analysis to know when you should pick an underdog to score a bigger payout.

MMA Betting Guide FAQs

Is it legal to bet on MMA?

Yes, you can bet online on MMA events in legal sports betting states. Geolocation tracking will confirm you are within the borders of legal states. Then you can place wagers while scanning live odds, betting lines, and more.

What day do MMA fights take place?

For UFC, fights commonly take place on Saturday nights. The UFC fight main card can sometimes have up to three fights. There is also a preliminary card.

What type of bets are there for MMA fights?

There are a variety of betting markets at the best MMA sportsbooks including UFC moneylines, total rounds, props, and more.

Can I place a parlay bet on an MMA fight?

Yes. You are allowed to place parlays on the best fighters for MMA. It’s a nice way to increase your profit margin as you get into UFC betting action. Remember that with each leg you add the probability of winning the parlay goes down. Also, some bet types can’t be parlayed. Check with your sportsbook if you have any questions.

21+ and Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.