MMA Betting
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MMA (short for mixed martial arts) is one of the most popular full-contact combat sports in the world, and events promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) have recorded impressive viewership numbers over the past decade.
In 2017 alone, there were 39 UFC events that prompted millions of spectators to tune in or pack arenas around the world to cheer for their favorite fighters. Although other organizations, such as the Santa Monica-based Bellator, also promote this exhilarating sport, none can match the UFC’s popularity.
That popularity is hardly surprising, given that the UFC showcases many of the sport’s most prominent names. We are talking about elite fighters such as Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Georges St-Pierre, and Jon Jones.
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The sport has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, giving bettors countless opportunities to win serious cash. Odds for MMA events are available across hundreds of sportsbooks, but this abundance makes it all the more difficult for fans to separate the wheat from the chaff.
If you enjoy watching MMA fights and want to place bets online, you have come to the right place. Sportingpedia’s team has put together this guide to help you find the right MMA betting site and become a more successful bettor. We walk you through the key features of MMA sportsbooks, the different odds formats you will encounter, and the bet types commonly available for this sport.
Features of MMA Betting Sites
The internet is crowded with online sportsbooks, and MMA fans who are new to sports betting often make the mistake of choosing the websites that advertise the largest sign-up bonuses. While bonuses are important, an MMA sportsbook needs several other essential features to provide a worthwhile experience.
To begin with, high-quality MMA betting sites tend to run on stable software. They offer well-designed interfaces that are easy to use and navigate. All the information you need to make an informed bet is readily available.
You can view results from the past few days, weeks, or even months. Upcoming events are listed along with their start times and the bet types available for each fight. Statistics are provided for those interested in comparing the form and performance of different MMA fighters.
A decent betting site boasts a solid lineup of MMA markets covering Bellator and UFC fights, including match betting lines, method of victory, round betting, double chance, and point deduction. The best MMA sportsbooks allow you to wager on the main event, undercard bouts, and smaller events such as UFC Fight Night.
Early lines and in-play betting are also useful because they can increase the value of your wagers. Often, live streaming services are available as well. Bookmakers frequently move the lines for in-play markets, giving punters the chance to accept or decline the updated odds.
The online bet slip works in much the same way as those in land-based bookmaking shops, but it is more convenient because there is no need to leave the comfort of your home. You can add one or more single bets, and the software will calculate your potential winnings based on the odds and the amount you have staked.
Building parlays with multiple selections is also an option. The bet slip enables you to track all your betting activity because it contains information about your open bets, parlays, and settled bets. Nearly everything you need to stay in control of your MMA wagers is available in one place.
Some MMA betting sites even support a “group bet” feature that allows you to create a group and invite other fans of the sport to join you. The people you invite can help you build your parlay by adding new selections. You select the market and specify the number of selections each group member can add.
MMA fans who bet online can also benefit from the cash-out feature. This functionality enables you to secure a profit or reduce your losses before a fight ends.
This is usually the best course of action if you feel the momentum has shifted during a live fight and your chances of winning have dropped significantly. You can normally find the early cash-out button in your bet slip, displayed next to eligible unsettled wagers. You may accept an early payout at adjusted odds or cash out part of your wager and let the rest run.
MMA enthusiasts who like to bet online can choose from different odds formats, namely fractional, decimal, and moneyline. You can switch the default format using a drop-down menu, which is normally positioned either next to the bet slip or below the available MMA markets. Below, we explain how each format works.
Odds Types at MMA Betting Sites
MMA fans normally have a choice of three odds formats, but each format reflects the same information: the probability of a given outcome and the stake-to-win ratio of your bets.
Of course, MMA betting sites also need to profit, which is why the odds they post never reflect the true probability of a fighter winning. The bookmakers adjust the odds in a manner that allows them to collect a commission (also called vigorish or juice) from each bet they accept.
Additional factors may also affect the odds for MMA events. If a betting site takes too much action on one of the two fighters, it may change the odds for the other side to balance the betting volume. Now that we have covered the preliminary details, let’s look at how the three most common odds formats work.
Moneyline MMA Odds
American, or moneyline, odds are the default format at US-friendly sportsbooks. Along with decimal odds, moneyline odds are among the simplest formats to work with. Moneyline odds use $100 as the base figure to show either the profit on a $100 stake or the amount you need to stake to win $100. Here is an example of what an MMA line looks like:
- Hernandez, Alexander -215
- Cerrone, Donald +160
The odds for the favorite, Hernandez in this example, have a negative sign and show the amount you need to stake ($215) to earn $100. The positive sign in front of Cerrone’s odds shows that he is the underdog and can earn you $160 for every $100 you stake on him.
You are not required to place bets in increments of $100. What if you bet $127, for example? There are two different formulas for calculating profit, depending on whether you back the favorite or the underdog. When backing the underdog, use: positive odds * (amount staked/100).
Therefore, if Cerrone wins, your profit from a $127 bet will be 160 * ($127/100) = $203.20. If you back Hernandez, whose odds are negative, use: (100/negative odds) * amount staked.
It follows that your potential profit is (100/215) * $127 = $59.07.
Fractional MMA Odds
MMA is hugely popular across the United States, but it also has fans throughout Europe, where sports bettors often see their odds quoted as fractions or decimals. The fractional format reflects the ratio between your potential profit and your stake.
Fractional odds are mostly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which is why they are often called British or UK odds. They are quoted like this:
- Cejudo, Henry 8/5
- Dillashaw, TJ 4/9
The denominator (the number on the right) indicates how many base units you must stake. The numerator (the number on the left) reflects the profit the stake yields if your wager is successful. The original stake is not included in this figure. Therefore, if you use a base unit of $1 and bet on Henry Cejudo at odds of 8/5, you need to stake $5 to earn a profit of $8. The potential return from fractional odds can be calculated using the formula below: [(amount staked/denominator) * numerator] + amount staked.
Here is an illustrative example involving a $25 bet on Cejudo: [($25/5) * 8] + $25 = $65.
Decimal MMA Odds
Decimals are the most common format used to present odds throughout the world. They are even simpler than moneyline odds, which explains why they are widely used by online sportsbooks. Below is an example of an outright winner bet with odds expressed in decimal format:
- Muhammad, Belal 2.50
- Neal, Geoff 1.57
Odds of 2.00 offer an even-money payout, which means your net profit equals the amount you originally staked. Odds below 2.00 return a net profit smaller than your original stake. The general rule is that the higher the decimal number, the larger the potential payout, but the lower the implied likelihood of the bet winning.
The biggest advantage of decimal odds is that this format makes it extremely easy to calculate your overall returns. Your original stake is automatically included in the return, which is calculated by multiplying the decimal number by the amount wagered.
In the example above involving Neal and Muhammad, Neal is the favorite because he has the lower odds. If he wins, a $10 stake backing him will yield a total return of $15.70 ($5.70 in net profit plus your initial $10). Muhammad, as the underdog, is assigned higher odds of 2.50. He is less likely to win, but a bet backing him offers a larger total return of $25.
Mobile Support
When selecting a good MMA betting site, it is important to check whether it is mobile-friendly. Each day, more bettors choose to wager on their smartphones because doing so offers a variety of benefits.
For one, you will be less likely to miss the chance to take advantage of a favorably priced MMA market, especially if you bet on in-play markets where the odds are adjusted throughout the fights.
Mobile punters generally have two options. They can load their favorite MMA sportsbook in a mobile browser or install a downloadable iOS or Android application, if available. The mobile apps offered by the best MMA betting sites provide roughly the same functionality as their desktop versions.
You will benefit from an easy-to-use betting menu and a search bar that enables you to find MMA markets, fighters, and prices with a few quick taps. You can also wager on dozens of in-play MMA markets while on the go. Funding your account is possible through the sites’ mobile cashiers, while the cash-out feature gives you more control over your live betting activity.
Common MMA Bet Types
One of the great things about this exhilarating combat sport is that it offers a suitable betting option for nearly everyone looking to wager on it. Want to back your favorite fighter? No problem. Confident enough to predict the method of victory for a given fight? You can do that as well.
In this section, we provide valuable insights into the most popular bet types at MMA betting sites. This will give MMA betting beginners a good idea of the most common options they can try until they gain sufficient experience. More seasoned bettors can learn about different bet types they may want to explore.
The MMA Moneyline Bet
This is the simplest and most common wager you can place on MMA. Also known as the outright winner bet, this wager requires nothing more than picking the fighter you think will prevail in a given clash. There are only two options to choose from in each match.
The exact method of victory (for example, submission, knockout, or decision) is irrelevant here. This makes moneyline bets a suitable option for MMA betting novices. Here is an example of a moneyline bet for an upcoming fight between Ortiz and Benavidez, where the latter is considered the favorite and the former the underdog:
- Ortiz, Dustin 3.05
- Benavidez, Joseph 1.35
One advantage of the MMA moneyline is that bets are generally refunded if a fight ends in a draw or no contest, so you will not lose your stake. Moneyline bets are available on main-card and undercard events from the UFC, Bellator, and other organizations promoting MMA.
The MMA Over/Under Bet
Also referred to as total rounds, this market is another useful option for less experienced bettors. You are not required to pick an outright winner because the identity of the winner is irrelevant here. Your task is to predict whether the clash will last longer or shorter than the total posted by the betting site. Here is an example of an over/under MMA bet:
- Over 2.5 (1.82)
- Under 2.5 (2.50)
Bet the over if you believe the fight will last beyond the posted total of 2.5 rounds. If you think the clash will end before that point, bet the under. Make the correct prediction and you win the bet.
Method of Victory
This is a slightly more advanced but still very popular type of MMA bet. Your goal is to predict how a given fight will finish. This bet type requires more knowledge of the sport but can make your betting experience more exciting.
Punters can choose from several methods of victory: knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO), also known as stoppage, submission, and decision. The available selections may combine a fighter with a method of victory. A typical method-of-victory market looks like this:
- Teixeira, Glover – Decision (5.50)
- Teixeira, Glover – KO/TKO (3.50)
- Teixeira, Glover – Submission (4.85)
- Cutelaba, Ion – Decision (5.00)
- Cutelaba, Ion – KO/TKO (1.85)
- Cutelaba, Ion – Submission (15.75)
The higher the likelihood of a specific result, the lower the odds the bookmaker offers for that outcome, and vice versa. The odds for a given fighter in the outright winner market rarely match those offered for the same fighter to win by KO or TKO. The outright winner odds are often shorter than those offered for a KO victory, for example. You can capitalize on method-of-victory bets if you have sufficient knowledge of the fighters and their capabilities.
Round MMA Bets
This bet is more difficult to win because you must predict the round in which a match will end. You can further boost your odds by predicting the exact time of the finish or the winning fighter. Place such bets only when you are highly confident in the outcome you are backing. They are difficult to get right but can offer substantial payouts.
MMA Parlays
Parlays are among the most advanced forms of MMA betting because they involve high levels of risk. On the positive side, winning parlays can offer significant rewards.
A parlay (which Europeans refer to as an accumulator) is simply a combination of several bets into one larger bet. Each selection is placed at different odds. The tricky part is that all your selections must win if you want to collect a payout from your parlay. If even one of your selections loses, your entire parlay loses.
This gives you the chance to pick the winners of several fights that interest you. The more selections your parlay contains, the larger your potential profit. That said, your chances of winning decrease with each additional selection. Correctly predicting the outcomes of five, six, or more fights is a rare feat, which explains the high payouts. Overall, this type of MMA betting is very risky and should be used only by the most seasoned punters.
In-Play Bets
MMA sportsbooks commonly give fans of the sport the opportunity to place bets on fights as they happen through an in-play feature. Instead of having to place your wagers before an MMA bout begins, you can place your bet after the fight starts.
In-play bets on MMA markets are typically accepted until the bouts are resolved, giving you more information on which to base your wager. Another feature of in-play markets is that their odds are never static. The bookies update them throughout the fights based on how the action unfolds. You can then decide whether to accept the updated odds.
Each betting site offers different options for its in-play MMA markets, but some of the most common include method of victory and round betting.
Payment Solutions at MMA Betting Sites
It is important for MMA fans to choose a betting site that enables them to quickly transfer funds to and from their betting balance. Having to wait days for your deposit to clear is a major red flag, as is not receiving your winnings promptly.
One way to facilitate hassle-free payments is to offer a wide selection of banking methods for deposits and withdrawals. Decent MMA sportsbooks support established credit and debit card brands such as Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Diners Club, and American Express. E-wallet services such as Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, PayPal, WebMoney, and Yandex are also commonly accepted.
Methods such as Zimpler and Boku enable you to top up your balance on a mobile device and have the deposited amount added to your monthly phone bill. Others, such as InstaDebit and Trustly, operate as intermediaries between you and your bank, allowing you to fund your MMA betting account anonymously.
Prepaid solutions such as Paysafecard are also widely accepted, but they are more suitable for casual bettors on a budget because of their lower deposit limits. The bottom line is that these methods have established themselves as reliable and efficient, giving you peace of mind that your betting funds are handled securely.
Security at MMA Betting Sites
Few things are more frustrating than losing a bet, but having trouble getting paid is just as concerning. MMA bettors should never have to worry about whether they can trust the online sportsbook with which they have registered.
Before signing up and depositing at an MMA betting site, you should always check its track record and reputation to ensure the operator consistently pays customers’ winnings on time. A trusted sportsbook will also use reliable encryption to prevent its customers’ information from being compromised.
At Sportingpedia, we have selected only MMA betting sites that comply with their regulators’ requirements. These operators have solid reputations for protecting punters’ privacy and data. They are all licensed by well-respected authorities in the online betting industry, such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. Any past issues experienced by punters have been addressed and resolved promptly by the reviewed sportsbooks.
Hallmarks of a Good MMA Betting Site
What are the key traits of a decent MMA betting site? In summary, the most important factors to consider when searching for a premium sportsbook are licensing and consistently quick payments of your MMA winnings. Whether you decide to follow Sportingpedia’s recommendations or not, you should always ensure you are placing your MMA wagers on a website you can fully trust.
Quality sportsbooks offer extensive coverage of both main and undercard MMA events, enabling you to choose from a wide variety of markets and wager types, from outright winner bets to props and futures.
You should be able to find markets suited to a wide range of MMA predictions. However, market and betting diversity should not come at the cost of poor odds. Quality betting sites provide additional value by offering competitive prices on MMA markets.
Transaction limits also need to be considered. They should be flexible enough to accommodate both recreational bettors and serious punters who make a living by wagering on MMA. The size of the bets you are allowed to place matters, too. The last thing a seasoned bettor wants is to sign up with a sportsbook operator that cannot handle their level of action.
The software and user interface are equally important. Both casual and professional punters will appreciate a betting site with a user-friendly, well-designed, and uncluttered interface. All covered MMA events and fights should be quick and easy to find. You should also be able to locate and track all your MMA bets with ease.
Some MMA fans base their choice of sportsbook solely on the promotional deals available. However, promotions and bonuses rank last in importance for the following reason:
Many betting sites that fail to meet the criteria listed above try to lure customers by offering generous bonuses. Of course, this does not mean that sportsbooks with generous bonuses are necessarily unreliable, but what good is a massive sign-up bonus if you experience issues with withdrawing your winnings, making deposits, or navigating a poorly designed interface?
Before you register at an MMA sportsbook and opt in to its welcome bonus, make sure the operator meets more important criteria, such as quick payouts, licensing, a good track record, betting variety, and decent odds.