How to bet on combat sports: Explaining odds, betting tips, props, and more in ultimate guide to MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling
While sports like baseball, football, hockey and basketball have an off-season, the martial arts world never sleeps. Throughout a calendar year there are various MMA, boxing and pro wrestling matches to look forward to. There’s something for everyone, from strawweight to heavyweight, grudge matches to title fights.
For those who compete in the ring, cage or square, the chance to hone your craft while making a difference in the sport is always valuable. For the fans, they look at all aspects of a fight and find ways to place a bet where they see fit.
Of course, no single bet or betting strategy guarantees a win. The information provided by The Sporting News could be useful as a guide or sorter for the best martial arts bets and strategies.
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Martial arts odds
Odds are an indication of how likely it is that an outcome will occur. Probable outcomes have lower odds, which means the bookmaker expects that outcome, and therefore a lower payout is associated with a winning bet.
For less likely outcomes, the odds are higher and therefore a higher payout is awarded in the event of a winning bet.
Depending on where you are located, different formats can be used for betting on fights. One site that can be used for options like the ones shown below is Sports Interaction in Canada.
American Odds (Plus/Minus)
If there is a plus sign in front of the number, it means that for every $100 bet you win the number that follows the “+” sign in case of a winning bet (in addition to paying back your original stake). If you see a minus sign in front of the number, think about the opposite of plus odds: to win $100, you must bet the number that follows the minus “–” sign.
For example, Israel Adesanya is the -170 favorite for a fight against Alex Pereira, the +145 underdog. If this were a straight bet, it would cost you $170 for a $100 return on an Adesanya win. If you bet $100 on Pereira, you would win $145 if he wins. You would have to bet more money on Adesanya than on Pereira.
The same goes for boxing and pro wrestling.
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slash chances
In many areas outside of the United States, such as B. UK, slash odds are used. This is a fractional indicator that uses a concept similar to American odds.
With the slash method, the odds are displayed as a fraction. The win amount is listed in the numerator while the corresponding stake is listed in the denominator. For example, if the odds are 9/2, a $2 bet would yield $9 in profit.
decimal odds
Elsewhere, odds are listed in decimal format with up to two decimal places.
In short, with decimal odds, the number displayed is the total amount won on a $1 bet, with a twist: unlike the other formats, this is number includes the return of the original stake. Therefore, a winning bet of $1 at odds of 2.00 returns $2: $1 winnings associated with the original $1 bet ($2 total).
Martial arts betting, prop bets
Once you understand the odds and who the contenders are, there are several options for you to secure a bet and potential win.
Not only can you choose which fighter you want to win, but there is also the method and round of victory. A fight can either be protracted or end in the blink of an eye. A fighter can win, lose or draw with his opponent. The fight can either be a contest, a brawl, or a methodical affair.
Listed below are the bets that are popular in the martial arts betting community.
money line
The easiest – and therefore most popular – way to bet on a match is to pick the winner, known as the “moneyline”.
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In MMA and Pro Wrestling, the money line options are as follows:
- Fighter A wins
- Fighter B wins
In boxing, the money line options are as follows:
- Fighter A wins
- Fighter B wins
- To draw
Total rounds + winning round
In MMA, a fight can last either three or five rounds. Five rounds is a main event level fight.
In boxing, rounds can range from 6, 8, 10, or 12’s championship level, depending on a fighter’s level.
At some betting sites you can bet on whether the fight will go the distance. A fight can end prematurely because of the method of victory (more on that later). It’s up to the fans to check how they view the fight. This could be due to stats or how the fighter looked before the fight.
method of victory
In MMA, the following methods of victory are on the table:
- Fighter A/B via KO/TKO
- Fighter A/B by submission
- Fighter A/B via decision
- To draw
In boxing, the following methods of victory are on the table:
- Fighter A/B via KO/TKO
- Fighter A/B via decision
- To draw
Martial arts betting tips
Anything can happen in the martial arts world. All bets are void (literally and figuratively) when it comes to picking a fighter to win a contest. Preparation is the key to fully immersing yourself in the world of fight betting.
Here are some tips to help you on the journey as you delve into martial arts betting:
1. do the work/Research
A fight can end in several ways. Who’s holding their hands up at the end of the night could depend on the trends, not just your gut instincts. A fighter on a losing streak can either win, or the opponent has a better chance of winning based on the stats displayed (more on that later). A fighter may be popular because of their name, but comparing stats is a much more legitimate process to determine a win.
For example, one UFC fighter may have an advantage when it comes to significant strikes landed per minute, but the other’s advantage on the ground could give them the ultimate advantage.
In the UFC, a fighter can have experience outside of the UFC octagon, but there can be a difference in the size of the fighting pit inside the cage. This is also the case within the UFC, as the UFC’s APEX Center in Las Vegas is a different size compared to PPV events.
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2. Check lineups and injury report
If you’re making a bet early before fight night, keep an eye on the fighters you’re confiding in. An injury can happen at any moment, from months in advance to the week of the fight. Normally a notification can be sent as an alert. There will also be changes on the day of the fight night.
UFC 279 is the perfect example. Khamzat Chimaev was missing weight for his fight against Nate Diaz. This changed three fights on the main map. While the fighters are still available, the matchup has changed which may change perceptions/betting odds of who will win.
Boxers may pull out of fights if they injure themselves while training or if a weight loss ends badly. The latter may not fully determine a result. Shakur Stevenson missed the weight for a championship fight but he still dominated against Robson Conceicao.
In pro wrestling, the map is always subject to change.
Keep an eye on important programs and social media for updates on fights.
3. Expect the unexpected
Anything can happen in martial arts and nothing is guaranteed. A favored fighter can easily win or be eliminated in the first round.
Using stats and a competitor’s emotions before fight night can help determine potential outcomes.
Combat sports betting resources
Below are some resources you can use when trying to bet on martial arts:
Popular sports betting
While pro wrestling has a limit on the number of sportsbooks in which the sport is featured, this does not apply to MMA and boxing. A variety of sportsbooks in the US and Canada can help in finding the right bet.
Be sure to check which sportsbooks operate in your area.
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Where can you bet on martial arts in the United States?
The following states have legalized some form of sports betting in the United States. Complete legality indicates that both mobile betting and in-person betting are legal.
| US state | Legal Betting | |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Full | |
| Arkansas | Full | |
| Colorado | Full | |
| Connecticut | Full | |
| Delaware | Personal only | |
| Illinois | Full | |
| Indiana | Full | |
| Iowa | Full | |
| Kansas | Full | |
| Louisiana | Full | |
| Maine | Full | |
| Maryland | Full | |
| Michigan | Full | |
| Mississippi | Personal only | |
| Montana | Personal only | |
| Nevada | Full | |
| New Hampshire | Full | |
| New Jersey | Full | |
| New Mexico | Personal only | |
| new York | Full | |
| North Carolina | Personal only | |
| Ohio | Full | |
| Oregon | Full | |
| Pennsylvania | Full | |
| Rhode Island | Full | |
| South Dakota | Retail Sports Betting | |
| Tennessee | only online | |
| Virginia | Full | |
| Washington | Personal only | |
| Wisconsin | Personal only | |
| West Virginia | Full | |
| Wyoming | only online |
Statistical Resources
The term “research” comes up again and again. This is especially true for martial arts. Whether it’s a competitor’s knockout or connect percentage, the bettor always needs to know who’s ahead before a fight and why.
While personal preference can come into play, it doesn’t always secure a win.
Some websites that can guide you on your way are:
Martial Arts Podcasts
Getting expert opinion and advanced research can help hone your instincts. A few expert shows to keep an eye on: