Undoubtedly, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) are incredibly technical and entertaining sports to view. These sports have witnessed unprecedented and exponential growth in terms of popularity. And we can say that the arrival of Conor McGregor is a major reason behind the tremendous popularity of MMA. With the rising popularity, the interest in martial arts betting in UK also has increased. However, if you are new to this, then you need to be a little careful about this, and it is also important to analyse some important data to come up with an informed decision. Let us help you with that. Here, in this guide, we have mentioned some important points and statistical data insights that you can consider starting a successful betting. Let’s get started with this.
Some Common MMA and UFC Bets
- The Moneyline
This is the most popular and straightforward bet type in both MMA and UFC sports. In this bet, you need to bet on the outcome of the game. The online bookies allocate odds to every boxer. There will be the favourite and the underdog. You will find the favourite with a negative sign like -200 and the underdog with a positive sign, like +160. Even though around 1.7 percent of UFC fights have finished in a draw, the betting market includes a 3-way moneyline betting that can be used to bet a possible draw. You can back a draw while betting as displayed in this example:
Fighter A: 300
Fighter B: +240
Draw: +6000
- Prop Bets
Well, these bets are not related directly to money line betting. However, these are popular among punters as under this betting category, they get various options to bet on. Some examples of MMA or UFC prop betting options are Points Spread, how will the current match end, Fighters rubbing gloves together, etc. Keep in mind that the types of prop bets on which you can bet will vary from one betting platform to another. Choose a platform, that offers more options as this will increase your winning chances.
- Under or Over Rounds
Both MMC and UFC betting platforms will set a timeline on how long the match will go. But you can also determine whether the fighters will last shorter or longer than that set time every round in the match lasts for five minutes. That means if you are betting on a match that has half a round, then you may feel confused about whether you will win or not. If you bet on a 2.5-round fight and the game stops 3 minutes into the 3rd round, then you will win the bet. Check the odds displayed on the betting platform before choosing your bet type.
Some of the Best MMA and UFC Betting Sites
Here is a list of some of the most reputed and trusted online platforms that offer MMA and UFC betting. Now you might be wondering what makes all these platforms the best. Let us tell you that these betting sites have a huge range of betting types, are user-friendly, have faster payout, and attractive odds. The sites are Betway, Bet365, 888 Sports, and 22 Bet.
How to Make Your Decision on a Fight- The Basis
In sports like UFC or MMA, it is common to hear that player’s styles decide the fights. Earlier, you would see matches between various disciplines, like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu vs taekwondo or wrestling vs boxing. However, now, when it comes to betting, you can’t just go with the fight styles, you will have to consider all the factors of the match or fighters.
Every fighter has weak and strong areas. When betting on MMA or UFC, you should always consider the weaknesses and strengths and understand how these factors can affect their paths to success. Let’s understand this with an example. Jon Jones is the most dominant and skilled MMA fighter and when he was just 23, he won the UFC light heavyweight belt. He has a 27-1 fight record. Justin Gaethje has amazing defensive skills. You need to assess every player’s skill to enjoy successful betting in UFC or MMA.
Another thing to consider here is the odds of players displayed on betting platforms and choose one that offers competitive odds. For example, for Christian Rodriguez (UFC fighter), at DraftKings, the odd is -205. At BetMGM and FanDuel, the odds are -210 and -225. Choose one that offers a higher payout on bets.
Go With Younger Fighters
Many sports value knowledge and experience. However, aggressive and explosive characters demonstrated by younger players can also change the game. As per the data, the younger UFC players have won 62 percent of total fights. In fact, in the last 8 years, younger fighters have demonstrated better gameplay compared to older fighters. Furthermore, the win percentage for players who are under 25 is around 61 percent but in the face of players who are 25-30 years old, it is 59 percent. So, this is something that you should always keep in your mind.
Be Careful About Late Replacements
Some MMA or UFC fights have late changes and sometimes, fighters are withdrawn at the last minute. Well, such incidents are quite common. But the most important thing that you need to keep in mind is late replacements are players with less than a month of training or preparation time. And data shows late fighters have lost around 64 percent of total fights. On the other hand, the odds for late replacements are around +180 to +190. It shows that most of them are underdogs.
Go For the Better Strikers
If there is a match where the odds for two fighters are the same, then you can prefer to go with the superior striker. Check the striking statistics that consider strike accuracy, total strikes landed in a minute, etc. Game data says the winning chance for a player with an impressive strike rate is around 64 percent. As of 2020, the game has witnessed 138 submissions, 225 knockouts, 31 split decisions, and 141 unanimous decisions. The highest number is a knockout. While betting, you should also consider the weight classes. Some weight categories may have a better KO rate compared to others.
Useful MMA / UFC Insights
- Players who are more than 32 years old will be more likely to lose the match (173 of 277 matches).
- Japanese fighters will be more likely to lose (36 to 51 matches).
- Fighters who have lost the last 4 matches will be more likely to lose the next match (345 of 501 matches).
- Players who are taller than the opponents by around 3 percent will likely win.
- Players who are at least 3 years younger than their opponents have more chances to win the game.
- The fighters with better grappling stats have a 61 percent win rate.
Some Common UFC/ MMA Betting Mistakes You Should Avoid
- Placing your bets based on your emotions. Always place bets considering the real data, not the assumptions.
- Aways depending on records. Prefer to use the gameplay stats and records to form you own strategy. The outcomes depend greatly on the fighting style of players. So, apart from analyzing records, keep an eye on the player’s current performance.
- Focusing more on your favorites. Betting on your favorites blindly can lead to a huge loss. Assess all the factors and then make your betting decisions.
- Favoring the underdog for massive payouts. Well, betting on the underdogs can lead to high payouts but the chances are quite low. Only opt for this option when your research offers you sufficient evidence on that.
Final Words
Remember that every UFC or MMA fight has an opportunity to use disciplined betting practices and strategic thinking. Using these elements, you can turn your predictions into something profitable. While the results are unpredictable, you can still use the data and these useful tips to lower the chances of losing your bets. With a proper approach to your betting backed by an understanding of the game and accurate analysis, you can surely come up with profitable betting decisions. And always follow responsible gambling practices.