MMA has grown into a global phenomenon in just a few decades, and the sport is now generating massive money at sportsbooks. In fact, UFC pay-per-view events now rival the all-time record-setting boxing mega-events. This growth makes mma betting a hot new market for both casual fans and sportsbook sharps. But there are a few differences between the betting options offered on MMA and those of other fight sports, such as boxing.
Betting on MMA fights is similar to betting on other sporting events, with the moneyline offering odds on either an underdog or favorite. In addition, a number of different prop bets are available on each match, and bettors can choose to place wagers on the winner’s method of victory, round win bets, and more. Prop bets can offer more lucrative payouts than standard bets, but they can also require a greater degree of research and analysis than other bet types.
One of the most common MMA betting markets is the over/under, which offers odds on the expected length of a fight. The over/under is calculated using a formula that takes into account both the fighters’ styles and how often each has won previously. The over/under is then divided by the total number of rounds in a fight. For example, if the over/under is set at 2.5 rounds, and a fighter wins in three or more, then the bet is considered a push and you’ll get your money back.
Other MMA betting markets include a variety of methods of victory bets. These bets allow you to wager on how a specific fighter will win, with payouts determined by the moneyline odds. Typically, three methods of victory are offered: win by KO/TKO, by submission, or by decision (sometimes known as ‘on points’). This bet type is popular among MMA bettors, as it allows them to make informed predictions based on the fighting styles and performance history of fighters.
Lastly, there are several bet types that are unique to MMA betting, such as the over/under and round betting. The over/under is a bet on the anticipated length of a fight, and the moneyline odds are calculated based on the probability that a particular outcome will occur. The over/under is also divided into rounds, and you can bet on which round a fight will end in.
A number of MMA bettors have been caught making these types of prop bets. For instance, in June 2021, a man named James Krause was accused of promoting these types of bets for his gym, and even ran a Discord channel where he spread betting tips. Eventually, Krause was banned from coaching and he admitted to making more money from gambling than from his fighting career. He was later stripped of his title and his MMA gym was shut down by the NSAC. In addition, the New Jersey sportsbook he worked for stopped accepting bets and two Canadian provinces suspended their betting on UFC matches.