In the last two decades, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has seldom been recognized as a sport in Ireland. Today, it is one of the most popular combat sports in the country and ranks among the top sports for betting.
With the sport growing rapidly, especially the UFC, punters are turning to trusted Irish UFC online bookmakers to place bets. One question remains unanswered: what’s driving the growth of MMA betting in Ireland? This guide explores the reasons behind the sport’s rise and offers top tips for placing smart bets on MMA.
Why MMA Betting has Become Popular in Ireland
While Mixed Martial Arts has become a popular sport in Ireland, it’s still not officially recognized by Ireland’s Ministry of Sport. Much of this is due to the violent nature of the sport. In 2016, for example, the death of Portuguese fighter João Carvalho after a Total Extreme Fighting event in Dublin raised many questions about security in combat sports.
However, that incident didn’t prevent MMA from growing into a popular sport. One of the biggest factors behind MMA’s growth in Ireland is Conor McGregor’s rise to UFC superstardom. Since McGregor’s first amateur fight in 2007, he has become an icon of MMA in Ireland.
The Dublin native was the first fighter in MMA history to become a world champion in two weight classes. In 2021, he became the world’s highest-paid athlete, earning an impressive €7,432,149 per minute in the UFC cage. His achievements inspired other Irish MMA fighters like Ian Garry and Shauna Bannon to shine and make history internationally.
MMA also offers something most traditional sports lack: quick, decisive outcomes and high volatility. In one round, for instance, a massive underdog can land a clean left hook and completely change the fight’s course. For bettors, this means real opportunities for value and significant returns.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has also played a key role in MMA’s rise in Ireland. It’s one of the fastest-growing sports regarding popularity and the number of people betting on it. With over 700 million UFC fans worldwide and more than 40 events and 500 bouts each year, it’s clear why MMA is catching up with other major events like golf majors.
Betting Markets: What You Can Bet On
The betting markets in MMA are like those you will find in boxing, with plenty of options available. Let’s go over some of the most popular markets you can bet on:
- Moneyline (Fight Winner): This is the most popular type of bet to place, as it only requires you to pick the winner of a bout. Most bouts result in a winner, with just 1.5% ending in a draw or no contest.
- Method of Victory: Will a fighter win by knockout (KO), submission, or decision? During UFC 302, for example, many Irish bettors who backed Dustin Poirier to win by submission at over 10.00 odds were moments away from cashing in before Makhachev reversed and won by submission himself.
- Round Betting: Like boxing, you can bet on the exact round the fight will end or if the fight will last more or fewer than a set number of rounds. Generally, fights at lower weight classes, especially women’s fights, tend to be longer. Bouts involving a high-level grappler and a high-level kickboxer are more likely to result in a finish.
- Live Betting: Live betting can be very useful when it comes to MMA bouts. Questions about a fighter’s physical and mental conditions are often hard to know until shortly after the fight starts.
Tips for Betting Smarter on MMA
Betting on MMA fights isn’t always easy. For example, upsets can happen, the judges’ decisions can be unpredictable, and the wide range of fighting styles makes it harder to predict fight outcomes. However, with the right strategy, you can improve your betting game and get better chances of success.
Let’s go over some practical tips that can help you bet smarter on MMA bouts
1. Study Fighter Styles
A fighter’s combat style can provide clues about their chances of winning. Each fighter in the octagon has a distinct style. Some excel as grapplers, others are skilled at striking, and a few combine multiple disciplines. Typically, a striker with significant knockout power may be favoured over a grappler, but the situation can easily change. In MMA, fighters adopt various styles – Muay Thai, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – each offering unique advantages and challenges. For example, a Muay Thai fighter might be proficient in stand-up combat with powerful strikes, while a Jiu-Jitsu expert will thrive on the ground. Understanding each fighter’s style and their opponents can offer valuable insights into who is most likely to win.
2. Dig into the Numbers
A fighter’s recent form and record say a lot about their next performance. A good place to start is their win/loss ratio; you shouldn’t stop there. A fighter with a 22-3 record might look good, but what matters is who they had those wins against. Find out if they were fighting top-ranked opponents or unranked fighters.
Let’s consider Alexander Volkanovski, for example, one of the all-time greats in the UFC with a 27-4-0 record. Knowing how he got those 27 wins allows you to find real value by looking beyond the odds. In this case, his ability to adjust mid-fight and powerful cardio have seen him take down most of his opponents.
3. Consider Injuries and Layoffs
Like boxing, MMA is one of the most brutal sports, and some fighters can carry hidden injuries into a fight. This can influence how they perform in the ring. A fighter entering the octagon with an injury is less likely to win a bout, even if they are facing an evenly matched opponent.
Before placing your bet, it’s a good idea to check media reports and go through fighter interviews to get hints about each fighter’s health.
4. Shop the Best Lines
MMA is a popular sport that receives a lot of coverage. This means you can check different betting sites and compare the odds before placing your bet. Comparing odds across multiple bookmakers is a surefire way to get better value for your bets.
While one bookmaker might offer odds of 1.16 for Ilia Topuria to win against Charles Oliveira, you might get tighter odds of 1.2 for a Topuria victory with another. This is where comparison platforms like Betinireland.ie shine. The site provides honest reviews of licensed UFC betting sites in the UK and allows you to compare odds of UFC bouts and fights from other MMA events across different bookmakers.
Final Thoughts and the Future of MMA Betting in Ireland
Over the past years, interest in MMA betting in Ireland has risen and will continue to rise. Despite the rapid growth of MMA in Ireland, there is likely to be tighter regulations surrounding betting on the sport. Many bookmakers will also introduce improved in-play betting odds, live streaming for most bouts, and a better experience for punters with virtual reality (VR) technology.