MMA Proposition Bets

If you are not a complete newbie to MMA betting but so far you have placed your real-money wagers on standard betting markets only, maybe it is time to add an extra layer of excitement to your betting experience. The best way to do it is through the diverse MMA prop bets most modern online sportsbooks provide to their registered users.

In general, proposition betting refers to aspects of the game (in our case, a MMA fight) that have nothing to do with the fact of who wins the particular event. Predicting the method of victory or the exact round when a fight will end is a rather challenging task and quite logically the successful bet is awarded a profitable payout. This riskier type of betting requires in-depth knowledge of the sport and closely monitoring the performance of individual fighters.

The accessibility of proposition bet types on online betting platforms has not always been as wide as it is today. However, the popularity of this engrossing manner of betting has rapidly grown in recent years and prop bets have become an integral part of bookmakers’ portfolios. The more famous fighters in a certain battle are, the greater variety of props punters are offered to place.

Method of Victory Bet

Through prop bets, online punters put themselves deeper into the action of mixed martial arts and sometimes this may result in cheering against a chosen fighter if he is about to win but not through the method you have placed your bet on. That is how intriguing proposition bets are. Now, let’s see which are the specifics of the Method of Victory betting market.

The typical MMA fight may finish in the following three ways:

• Knockout (KO) or Technical Knockout (TKO)
• Submission
• Judges Decision (Points)

While some online sportsbooks do allow betting enthusiasts to wager on this simplest variation of the bet, most top bookmakers provide the more interesting option to predict both the winning method and the fighter who will thus achieve the victory.

The above table showcases currently available odds regarding the Method of Victory market for the fight between Daniel Santos and Julio Arce in UFC 273, scheduled for April 9th, 2022. The example clearly indicates that the most probable outcome is for Arce to win by points. Any of the fighters to win by knockout or technical knockout comes with less profitable betting odds which is indicative of how they usually finish their MMA battles.

Another factor that has its influence over the outcome probability is the fighting style of each combatant. That is why we say it is important to spend some time closely investigating all possible details. Going through statistical data is always useful but having watched enough matches with the respective two fighters may turn out to be the trump card in your sleeve. A great number of MMA fighters have previously competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, and others. This is another piece of information that can help you properly estimate how it is most likely for the fight to be concluded.

MMA Round Betting

A popular form of betting on mixed martial arts is to put your wager on the exact round when the fight will end. You can find this type of bet in several different variants, each of which is more difficult to predict than the previous one. Here are the options offered by online bookmakers around the world:

• Basic Round Bet
• Round + Winner Bet
• Round + Winner + Method

The more components one Round Bet has, the more profitable is the eventual payout. In the below table, you can see round betting odds for the fight between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan, again within UFC 273. For the convenience of the explanation, we have selected only betting markets comprising Round 1.

As you have noticed, numbers vary greatly depending on the exact bet to be placed. In case of a successful prediction, with a $50 stake, you may add $200 to your bankroll if you only wager on the winning round or $1,000 if you think Petr Yan will take the victory by Submission in Round 1. However, do not let lucrative payouts mislead you to place your bet on almost impossible combinations. Make sure you base your predictions on weighty substantial information, not on subjective matters like fighter’s personality, lucrative eventual payout, or your current emotions. Most probably, there is a pretty good reason for odds of the order of +4500 (46.0) and it is hardly reasonable to risk your funds on such a selection.

You have to be aware that due to the difficulty of the most complex form of MMA round betting, the interest of punters is not always high, so some online bookmakers have not included it in the selection of markets they support. As with other aspects of mixed martial arts, the availability of bet types for a certain fight largely depends on its status and the popularity of the fighters.

Online MMA Prop Betting Tips

There is no such thing as easy betting or a guaranteed profitable payout. Betting analysts often point out that wagering on MMA fights is easier than betting on team sports due to the fewer factors that need to be taken into account. While this is somewhat true, when trying to perform proposition bets, things get more difficult. Still, it is worth taking into account that MMA props offer some great opportunities for big stake returns. With the proviso that there are no universal principles and an always winning betting strategy, we compiled some basic MMA prop betting tips that can help you increase your chances of successful predictions.

Focus on research and analysis, not emotion. We are sure you know that, but we will say it anyway – it is not a good idea to bet on a fighter just because you are his avid fan. He may be the most charismatic athlete who has ever been on the octagon and who has an impressive biography at the beginning of his career, but he has not won a single fight in the last year. Do you still think it is worth risking your money?

We do not say it is not possible for such a fighter to take the victory, but please, back your bet with a thorough research. For example, your favorite’s rival may have shown better performance in the months preceding the match but to have suffered an injury during training. If you think the other fighter can take advantage of it and realize a knockout at the beginning of the fight, give it a try. Given the nature of this sport, very often battles are won with explosiveness and dynamism, not so much with strategy. The dividing line between victory and defeat is thin and it seems incredibly difficult to fight perfectly throughout the match. Excellent knowledge of fighters’ style, physical form, and endurance can be helpful when conducting both Method of Victory and Round betting.

We know placing prop bets on mixed martial arts is enticing and thrilling but there is no reason to overdo it. In other words, do not jump on every option you come across and most of all, make line shopping a must-have element of your wagering experience. This strategy is advantageous for any bet type on the market but it is MMA prop betting where it can really make a difference. As in boxing, in MMA, there are sometimes significant discrepancies between the different betting platforms in terms of odds. Therefore, it is advisable to set up accounts with several trusted bookies and thus be able to benefit from a valuable opportunity when it shows up.

Conclusion

Prop betting is arguably the most challenging form of wagering on mixed martial arts events that enables experienced MMA betting devotees to test their knowledge and potentially turn it into money. Fortunately, the feature is no longer an exception and there are a plethora of reputable sportsbooks online punters can choose from. You need to carefully evaluate your abilities before embarking on this adventure. If you are not yet confident in your mastery, continue familiarizing yourself with the different elements of the sport, get used to the easier bet types first, and come back to our guide for online MMA betting when you need to make a check-up.