Identifying the most suitable types of bets for MMA events
MMA has captured the attention of millions, including sports bettors and casual fans, thanks to its non-stop action and broad variety of betting options. The nature of the sport makes it a favorite for those seeking adrenaline-fueled entertainment and unique markets.
If you’re new to MMA betting or just looking to spice up your options, you’re in the right place! This article will break down the wide range of MMA bet types that can improve your sports betting game.
What is MMA?
MMA is a contact sport that involves combat between players. It combines combat sports and martial arts, so a typical MMA match involves a lot of boxing, wrestling, karate, judo and taekwondo.
Though MMA started as a less popular sport many years ago, it is now a well-known sporting event championed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The organization began promoting MMA in 1993 and is behind the sport’s massive growth over the last three decades.
In addition to the many fans of contemporary MMA greats like Jon Jones, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kamaru Usman, MMA’s growing popularity is also a result of active sports bettors who choose the sport for its numerous betting markets.
Popular MMA bet types
Like other popular sports, including soccer, basketball, tennis and American football, the MMA boasts numerous markets and bet types for all kinds of players. Understanding the types of sports betting options available to choose from will help you improve your winning chances when you make a wager.
We highlight the most common types of bets for MMA events below:
Moneyline or winner bets
This is the most straightforward and popular betting option in the MMA and UFC. If you’re new to betting on MMA matches, moneyline bets are certainly where you should consider starting. It involves predicting the outright winner of a fight in your bet. If the fight goes according to your bet, you win. Otherwise, you lose your bet. It is really that simple.
Method of victory
The method of victory bet is another popular option. As the name suggests, this bet type predicts the last action that will happen in a fight. The simplicity of this betting option is why it is quite popular among MMA bettors.
Instead of betting on who you think will win the fight, you’re predicting how the winner will defeat their opponent. This includes knockout (KO), submission or winning by decision.
However, if you bet that the fight will end by submission and it ends by technical knockout (TKO), you lose.
Double chance bets
Due to its similarities with the method of victory bet, the double chance bet is quickly becoming common among bettors. In some cases, you will even see it described as a method of victory bet on sportsbooks. However, instead of picking how you think the fight will end only, a double chance bet combines it with a winner prediction.
In other words, you’re predicting two things in one bet – who is going to win and how they are going to win. Double chance bets offer bigger odds because they are riskier than the method of victory and moneyline bets.
For instance, if Sara Collins and Leah McCourt have a match, a double chance bet requires you to pick a fighter as the winner and include how the contest will end. So, you will see betting markets like Collins by KO/TKO or McCourt by submission.
Total rounds (over/under bets)
The total rounds bet predicts the length of the fight. Usually, it’s represented by over/under rounds and includes a specific line. Your goal is to predict whether the length of the fight will go over or under the set timeline. For instance, there’s usually a set time of 2.5 rounds in a championship fight and 1.5 rounds in a typical three-round event.
If you bet under 2.5 rounds, you’re predicting that the fight will come to an end before 2 minutes and 30 seconds into the third round. If the timeline is short of that, you win your bet. However, if the match extends beyond that time or goes to the judges, you lose.
Proposition bets
Proposition bets are popularly known as prop bets. They let you wager on what you think will happen in a game, making them ideal for bettors looking for straightforward options to gamble on. They include various player and team betting options, including the exact method of victory in a fight, a player to land a takedown, who will land more impactful strikes, who will bleed first and much more.
Some sportsbooks even let you bet on possibilities outside the fight. For instance, you can find an option like how many times McGregor will use the F-word during his press conference. As a result, prop bets are typically more fun, but their odds are often relatively small as many of the events have higher chances of likelihood.
Live betting
Finally, you can consider live MMA betting during events. This involves in-play bets that allow you to pick various kinds of wagers while fights are ongoing. If you’re an experienced and fast bettor, you can maximize your opportunities by picking some live lines that were probably unavailable before the fight.
Not all sportsbooks offer this MMA betting option, but you should be able to find it at the best sports betting sites.
Factors to consider when choosing MMA bets
Here are a few things to evaluate before placing MMA bets:
- Understand the fighters’ styles, strengths and weaknesses
- Check the fighters’ recent forms and performances
- Check their head-to-head stats
- Look out for injury and other health-related issues
- Understand the events leading up to the fight, especially from the fighters’ training camps
Conclusion
MMA betting offers many opportunities apart from the thrill of watching the punches and kicks. We’ve explored the most popular options to consider, especially if you’re a beginner. These include straightforward options like the method of victory, props and moneyline bets.
However, remember to only bet with money you can afford to lose and start with small wagers to understand the way things work before taking bigger risks.
