Betting on MMA can be exciting and lucrative, but you should always be aware of the risks involved. Taking the time to research fighters, fight histories, and styles can help you make informed bets.
Moneyline bets are the most straightforward MMA betting options, and they involve placing wagers on which competitor will win the fight. You can also place parlay bets, which combine multiple bets into a single wager with a higher potential payout.
MMA Fighting Odds
Betting on MMA fights has become one of the fastest-growing markets at online sportsbooks. The UFC is the world’s leading MMA organization and their events feature some of the most exciting fights in the sport. These fights can be unpredictable and a single mistake could mean the end of a fighter’s career.
The oddsmakers for MMA fights set their lines by analyzing the fighting styles of the fighters and then determining an implied probability for each outcome. They do this to protect the sportsbooks from big losses when a heavy favorite wins a fight.
Bettors can also place wagers on method of victory, which is the way a fighter will win the fight. The most common methods of victory include knockout, TKO/DQ, submission or decision.
Moneyline
Moneyline betting on MMA fights is the most common wager type, with customers placing a bet on which fighter will win the match. The oddsmakers set these bets by calculating the implied probability of each fighter to win, and they display them as head-to-head moneylines with a plus or a minus sign to designate the underdog and the favorite.
In addition to the Moneyline, some sportsbooks offer round bets on specific rounds of a fight. These bets are more precise than the Over/Under or Moneyline and can yield larger payouts if you pick the right winner in a particular round.
Winning method bets allow you to choose the fighter that will win by any means of finish including decision, submission or DQ. The MMA betting oddsmakers also establish the winning method by comparing a fighter’s record against their opponent.
Parlay
Parlay bets are a way to combine several different MMA wagers into one, which boosts the odds of winning. These bets are riskier than single bets, but can offer larger payouts. However, they should not be seen as a long-term money-making strategy.
Another common MMA wager is the Over/Under, also known as total bets. These bets are based on the number of rounds, knockdowns, and punches in a fight. The sportsbook sets a numerical value for each element of the fight, and you can bet over or under that amount.
You can also place a same-game parlay, which combines multiple player props, spreads, or totals from the same event. For example, you can bet on the Ravens moneyline and Lamar Jackson’s rushing yards over in the same game.
Round betting
A round betting market is a great way to make a wager on how many rounds a fight will last. This bet doesn’t have to be accurate in terms of when the fighter will win; however, it does carry a higher risk of loss than Method of Victory or Moneyline bets.
In MMA, round betting is a popular wager, with the over/under rounds line typically set at 2.5 rounds. This bet type is more volatile than other MMA betting markets, but it can offer greater payouts.
It’s important to study fighting styles and recent form when making round bets. For example, a fighter that loses by KO can become more cautious in future fights and might not be able to cut the necessary weight to remain competitive.
Future bets
Unlike money line and point spread bets, futures wagers involve long-term results that can take longer to determine. These are generally based on teams or individual players and can include things like winning the championship or MVP award. It’s important to do your research and find the best value.
Different sportsbooks may have different odds for the same event, so it’s important to shop around. If you’re betting on the Super Bowl, for example, FanDuel might have Seattle at +1000 but BetMGM has them at +1250, which could make a big difference in your payout.
Another disadvantage of futures bets is that they tie up a significant percentage of your bankroll for an extended period of time, so it’s important to have a large enough balance to cover the risk.