MMA Standard Bets

UFC events typically feature multiple bouts that provide hours of action and excitement. The nature of mixed martial arts allows for a variety of wagers that go far beyond simply picking the winner. Bettors can test their skills with different standard and proposition bet types, so understanding each of them is essential for success. This article introduces the conventional MMA betting markets that are suitable starting points for your mixed martial arts wagering journey. We explain the main aspects of each market and provide basic MMA betting tips to help you enjoy a more rewarding sports betting experience.

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MMA Moneyline Bet

Also known as an Outright Winner bet, this wager is one of the most widely recognized and commonly placed because it is easy to understand. As its name suggests, this betting market requires you to predict which of the two fighters will defeat the other, regardless of the method of victory or when it occurs during the bout. Although draws are extremely rare, they are still possible, and some online bookmakers accept bets on that outcome. In such cases, the market is called a 3-Way Moneyline and looks like this:

The listed MMA betting odds clearly indicate who the favorite and underdog are, as well as how unlikely a draw is. However, if you place a $10 bet on the draw and predict the outcome correctly, you will receive a total return of $810, including an $800 profit.

The only difference with a 2-Way Moneyline is the absence of the Draw option. Here is a typical example from a UFC Fight Night event:

According to the bookmaker’s odds, these fighters are more evenly matched, making the outcome more difficult to predict. Odds are an integral part of every bettor’s experience, but it is unwise to base your predictions solely on them. Oddsmakers can make mistakes, and online sportsbooks are businesses subject to market forces that can affect the numbers they publish.

Our advice is to consider the odds offered by your bookmaker while also conducting independent research. The fighters’ recent results may provide valuable insight into what to expect from the upcoming bout. A fighter’s current form and condition are essential when assessing their chances of winning, so focus on their last several fights. Pay attention to both victories and losses, as well as the opponents involved. No matter how skilled a competitor is, they may occasionally face a particularly difficult adversary. Identifying such details may give you an advantage over bettors who have not researched the matchup as thoroughly.

MMA Over/Under Bets

Unlike the bet type above, the Total Rounds wager does not require you to predict the winner. Instead, you must decide whether the fight will last over or under a predetermined number of rounds. This market is almost as popular as the Moneyline because it is relatively easy to understand. Some online bookmakers accept bets on only one threshold, while others offer odds for multiple options.

Although the number of rounds does not have to be presented in halves, such as 1.5, it is generally better to avoid betting on whole numbers unless you are comfortable with the additional risk. For example, if you bet on Over 3 rounds and one of the fighters quits just before the start of the fourth round, your bet will lose. It may therefore be preferable to find a bookmaker offering an Over/Under market set at 3.5 rounds. If you think the fight will reach the fourth round, you should select the over option. If you think the fight will end no later than the third round, you should select the under option. Each round lasts five minutes, so .5 refers to 2:30 of the respective round.

To make an accurate prediction, you again need to know the fighters well. Review their statistics, paying particular attention to their average fight duration. The fighting styles and stamina of both competitors are also extremely important. If you are unfamiliar with the fighters, research whether they are aggressive from the opening bell, how strong their stamina is, whether they can withstand punishment, and other relevant factors.

MMA Future Betting

As with many other sports, MMA allows bettors to place certain wagers weeks or even months in advance. UFC future betting is a challenging wagering option that requires MMA enthusiasts to predict who will hold a specific championship title at the end of the calendar year. Because these bets may take a long time to settle, the odds in this market are usually relatively high. At the time of writing, the odds for the 2022 UFC Lightweight Champion were as follows:

Another type of long-term MMA wager is the outright, which enables bettors to place their bets on potential future fights that have yet to be confirmed. Negotiations surrounding major bouts between star fighters may involve compensation, dates, venues, and other considerations. As a result, it can sometimes take months for these bets to be settled. This is a genuine test of patience, but the potential payout can be generous. If a fight is canceled before an official date is announced, sportsbooks void all placed bets and return the stakes to bettors.

Conclusion

We will conclude our review of standard MMA bet types with a point that applies to all mixed martial arts wagers. Although mixed martial arts is a popular sport to bet on, its popularity is not as widespread as that of football, for example. Consequently, online sportsbooks may devote more time and effort to more popular sports, potentially leaving room for mispriced MMA markets. It is worth comparing lines across multiple bookmakers and placing your bet with the operator offering the most favorable odds at that time.