MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) keeps growing in popularity as time goes on. The sport is a particular favourite to sports bettors. Big MMA fights often become wide-reaching events through traditional media channels, generating millions in betting revenue to bookmakers.
MMA has been known to create unreal amounts of hype over the years. So much so that big stars in the likes of Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva, Mirko Cro-Cop and Wanderlei Silva are names known to many people, even those with no interest in the sport.
As such, MMA has a prominent place at every respectable sportsbook’s portfolio of service. Meaning, you will have plenty of choice on the topic of where to bet on MMA fights.
Where to bet on MMA fights – the UK and European Bettors
The number of respected European bookmakers around is too high to count. Therefore, UK and EU punters will be spoiled for choice. Of course, not all bookies offer the same betting markets and odds. Inevitably, some will be better than others. Rest assured though, we’ve done our homework, and we’ll give you a pre-approved list of the best MMA betting sites on European soil.
Betfair
Betfair has a bit of a reputation among European bookies when it comes to MMA betting. Namely, the sportsbook goes above and beyond expectations when it comes to diversity of betting markets and competitive odds.
They’ll not only cover important events but preliminary fights as well. What’s more, upcoming important events are linked on the bookie’s front page, and the types of bets on offer are far better than the competition.
If you’re looking for a bookmaker that truly cares about MMA, then look no further than Betfair.
Betway
Established in 2005, Betway has been in the bookmaking game for quite a while now. During that time, they’ve amassed quite the reputation. Today, Betway offers one of the most comprehensive sports betting portfolios around. The bookie also covers the most important MMA fights, offering good odds and decent betting market variety.
Paddy Power
A household name in the UK, Paddy Power is one of the most instantly-recognizable sportsbooks in the world. Whether through sports sponsorships or quirky TV ads, the Paddy Power name has a far-reaching presence. Of course, the ultimate reason for their popularity is their proven track record of exemplary service via their sportsbook and online casino. MMA fights are covered on the regular at Paddy, and you’ll find some of the best odds on the market to boot.
888 Sport
888 has been at the frontier of online betting for decades now, having launched back in 1997. This sportsbook/casino has one of the largest global presences on the market, rivalling big dogs such as the likes of Bet365 and William Hill. 888 is right there at the top, but they still haven’t reached the absolute peak. Meaning, they continuously strive to stand out from the competition and go the extra mile. As such, you can expect excellent sports betting diversity and a wide selection of MMA betting markets to choose from.
Bet365
Bet365 is a name that needs no explanation, even to those uninterested in sports betting. This UK brand is simply too big to miss, and it has been going strong for over a decade now. Many successful bookmakers are known to become complacent once they reach the top, but not Bet365. Today, they’re as good as they’ve ever been, and they’ll offer you one of the best sports betting experiences around.
Where to bet on MMA fights – US Players
Due to USA laws and regulations, US players don’t have the luxury of choice that European punters can enjoy. That’s not to say that their choices are non-existent, but they are indeed quite limited. There are a handful of respected online casinos that can legally accept US players.
These bookmakers are licensed at off-shore gaming authorities such as Curacao, Panama or Alderney. They boast excellent sports betting portfolio, solid odds, free bets bonuses, and great customer support.
- ag
- Bovada
- BetNow
- MyBookie
How to bet on MMA fights?
Betting itself is a very simple process at online bookmakers. You simply select the betting market you wish to stake on, the amount you wish to wager, and you’re done.
In case you’re new to the waters of MMA betting, we will familiarize you with the most common types of bets for the sport.
Round of Fight End
A simple bet which has you guessing in which round the fight will end. Odds are generally good on this one, as it is not an easy guess even for expert punters.
Round Betting
Similar to the previous bet type, in this one you are not only betting in which round the fight will see its end, but also who will be the winner. The odds are naturally a bit higher given the risk involved.
Method of Victory
There are three ways in which an MMA fight can end: points advantage, KO (Knockout) or submission. The odds for this market are largely dependent on the fighters themselves. For instance, if two submission experts are duking it out, then you’re likely to receive a low return for a submission bet.
Double Chance
This market is as simple as it gets. It signifies betting on which fighter will win. Returns for this one are generally low unless you’re betting on a massive underdog.
Method & Round Mixed Bet
This market combines the method of victory bet with the round of fight end bet. It is one of the toughest MMA bets to guess, giving you ridiculous odds. Although not a very common bet, it’s a solid fun bet to make, as it can net you great returns even at super-low stakes.
Is there a difference between MMA and UFC?
No, not at all. MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is simply the name of the sport, whereas UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is an organization within the sport.