MMA Betting Basics

When betting on MMA, you need to do your research and be disciplined with your wagering. This is a highly aggressive sport with unpredictability and a high risk/reward profile. Bettors should look at the record of each fighter and what types of opponents they’ve won and lost against. This will help you to understand the nuances of each opponent’s style and how they match up against your selection. Many bettors fall into a trap of doing what is known as ‘MMA Math’, where they compare records against similar opponents. For example, FIGHTER A has lost to FIGHTER B and won against FIGHTER C, so they should win against FIGHTER D – this is not always the case, and it can divert bettors away from studying fight film and handicapping styles.

Round betting is a popular MMA wagering option where you place your bet on which round you think the fight will end and by what method. This is a great way to bet on a specific outcome and offers higher odds than the Moneyline. If the fight ends in a no contest or is stopped in the first round, your stake will be returned (unless it has already been declared, for example betting O1.5 rounds).

Method of Victory bets are another popular MMA wagering type and allow you to predict the specific way in which a fight will end. Typically, this falls into three categories: knockout, submission or judges decision. Some fighters can be extremely difficult to predict when it comes to their methods of victory, as they may be working through injury or pushing the limits of their weight class leading up to a fight. This can lead to them undergoing late weight cuts and being dehydrated and tired come fight time.

Over/Under or total bets are another simple MMA wagering option. This involves a sportsbook selecting a number for a certain element of the fight and you placing a bet on whether the actual event will go over or under that value. For instance, the over/under on rounds is usually set at 2.5.

Props are fun bets that you can place on anything related to a fight. These can include a fighter’s first knockdown, their first submission maneuver and even if they will touch gloves before the fight starts. These bets typically have lower margins than standard bets and are a good place to find value in MMA betting.

Live MMA betting is an excellent opportunity to get in on action and take advantage of dynamic odds that can change quickly. Using the in-fight odds and probabilities available on Dimers — via the scorestrip, Live Now and the MMA section of the Bet Hub — alongside our live probability calculator will give you the best chance to spot early opportunities. Just be sure to set a budget before the fight and never bet more than you’re comfortable losing. This will keep you disciplined and help you to avoid gambling-related problems in the future.