UFC/MMA betting
Mixed martial arts are some of the popular sporting events in the US. Many MMA spectators keenly follow the Ultimate Fighting Championship since the competition is both thrilling and fun to watch. During the events, arenas attract large crowds, while TVs and streaming sites register impressive viewership rates.
The sport also creates betting opportunities because most sportsbooks have the MMA section. Therefore, bettors can make money by wagering on a vast array of UFC betting markets. If you love UFC or any other MMA events, you can bet on top fighters like Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Conor McGregor.
MMA Odds formats
Odd formats show your stake/win ratio in every betting market. Here are the three common MMA odds formats and how they work.
Moneyline Odds
Moneyline odds are popular in most American sportsbooks and are usually displayed in this way in US sportsbook software. They indicate the amount you can win if you wager on an MMA event with $100. Odds with a negative sign show the favorite fighter, and the potential payout is usually small. However, those with a positive sign have higher returns since the fighter is an underdog.
Fractional odds
Fractional odds express the ratio between the returns and the wager amount. The format is common in Ireland and the UK, so they are also known as the British Odds. While reading the odds, note that the numerator indicates the possible winnings while the denominator shows the stake.
Decimal odds
The decimal format is the simplest form of expressing odds since the sportsbook includes the original wager amount in the returns. You can easily calculate your possible winnings by multiplying the odds with your stake. Therefore, the higher the decimal number, the larger the payout.
UFC/MMA bet types
Most UFC sportsbooks provide numerous betting options to enable punters to back their favorite fighters. If you are a beginner, you can try different bet types until you identify the one that works for you. However, if you have a vast knowledge of the sport, you can select any of the markets below and try your luck.
UFC Moneyline Bet
Moneyline or outright winner bet is the simplest betting option since the punter just identifies the fighter who might win in each event. The sportsbooks provide only two Moneyline choices in every match since each match involves two fighters.
If you are an amateur in betting, you should consider placing Moneyline bets before trying other markets. The main advantage of the option is that the sportsbook refunds your money if there is no contest or the match ends with a draw.
Round UFC bets
In Round bets, you predict the exact round the fight will end. You can increase the odds by selecting the winner and the possible time when the match will end. These bets have massive payouts, but they are more difficult to win. Therefore, you should only place such a bet if you know the fighters’ capabilities.
UFC Over/Under bet
In an over/under bet, you need to predict if the match might last more or less than a specific number of rounds. Over/Under is a great option when you cannot identify a clear outright winner. For instance, a player that selects odds of Over 2.5 can only win if the clash lasts more than three rounds.
UFC parlays
Parlays or accumulators are high-risk wagers that combine multiple bets into one massive bet. The bet type has generous payouts, but you need to win each selection to get the reward. While wagering on UFC, you can increase your selections to maximize your possible winnings. However, you reduce your chances of winning each time you add more fights to your bet slip.
In-play bets
Many sportsbooks allow punters to wager on UFC events as they happen, such as the recent UFC 272 where Covington won a battle of wills against Masvidal. If you cannot make your selection before the fight commences, you can use the in-play feature to bet on live matches. However, the odds keep changing in real-time, as the oddsmakers identify a stronger fighter.
Method of victory
In this kind of bet, you predict how the fight will end. Common MMA methods of victory include submission, technical knockout (TKO), decision, and Knockout (KO). Generally, outcomes with a high likelihood of occurring tend to have higher odds.
Final thoughts
If you are a novice bettor, you need to know how to read odds before risking your money. You also need to understand how different MMA bet types work because some options need a deep understanding of the fighters’ capabilities.
