MMA Odds & Betting Lines

There’s nothing more satisfying than an explosive night at the fights. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) combines the brutal punishment of boxing, the savagery of Muay Thai, and the cringe-inducing submissions of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As one of the most explosive and unpredictable sports in the world, MMA is as captivating as it is exhilarating. TwinSpires Sports is your premier spot for odds, props, futures and all things MMA.

UFC vs. Bellator

The two primary MMA promotions are the UFC and Bellator. UFC has been considered the gold standard due to its history and role in bringing MMA into the mainstream, whereas Bellator remains a respectable, yet secondary competitor in regard to influence and exposure.

The UFC enjoys network exposure on networks such as Fox and ESPN, while also possessing a who’s who of modern fighters such as Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Amanda Nunes frequently headlining their cards. Bellator can usually be found on DAZN or Showtime Sports, often featuring former UFC champions and serving as a developing ground for emerging talents.

How to Read MMA Odds

A typical betting board for any MMA event features the two fighters and the moneyline. The moneyline denotes the consensus favorite with a minus (-) sign and the underdog with a plus (+) sign. However, we will instead focus on the more fortuitous bets that can be made on the over/under lines, round betting, and unique betting props.

MMA Over/Under Lines

Betting the over/under involves predicting when a fight will end. MMA fights last anywhere between three and five rounds, with each round lasting five minutes.

For example, a showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Rhys McKee has an over/under of 1.5 rounds. Because the rounds last five minutes, the halfway point would be two minutes and thirty seconds.

Betting the over means you’re waging on the fight ending beyond 1.5 rounds. Betting the under means you’re  waging on the fight ending end within 1.5 rounds.

While the over/under is common, certain fights see this line replaced by simply betting on whether the fight will go the full distance and be judged on the scorecards.

As with the over/under, betting on the fight to go the distance is not influenced by who ultimately wins the bout.

MMA Round Betting

Round bets involve picking both the winner and the exact round when the fight will end. A stoppage can come via knockout, submission, or disqualification. Bets can also be made on a fighter winning a decision. As this manner of betting is more specific than the over/under, it yields a higher payout.

Though round bets normally require a fighter to emerge victorious, bettors can also wager on a draw. While no one wins inside the octagon in the event of a draw, putting money on this unlikely outcome usually comes at +5000 odds, leaving you a winner in the wallet.

MMA Props

The real money is won with unique prop bets. Prop bets require precise outcomes and generate the biggest returns. Whether it’s a heavy favorite or a considerable underdog, prop bets can be the difference between a decent win and a big score.

The most common prop bets in MMA bouts are betting on the method of victory, the fight outcome, or if there are any point deductions during the fight.

When betting on the method of victory, bettors will wager on whether a fighter wins by either KO/TKO/Disqualification, by submission, or by points. While less rewarding than a traditional round bet, this could be a go-to prop when a particular striking or submission specialist is matched up with an opponent with a suspect chin, propensity for getting bad cuts, or someone who is prone to being taken down.

Betting on the fight outcome means wagering on whether a fighter will win the fight between a certain set of rounds, or winning a decision. As with round bets, bettors can also wager for a draw.

Bettors can also choose to wager on the chances that the referee intervenes and issue a point deduction. This type of prop bet is unique because it can only occur when the referee formally docks a fighter a point for repeated fouls or illegal tactics.

Where to Bet on MMA Fights

Residents of Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee can enjoy legal MMA betting at our sportsbook. You'll find a wide selection of MMA betting odds, MMA betting lines and MMA props odds to wager on for UFC and Bellator. And don't forget to visit The TwinSpires Edge regularly for the best MMA betting advice from our dedicated team of experts.