MMA betting is growing in popularity as the sport gains traction with fans. There are several ways to bet on an MMA fight and it’s important to know the rules and regulations of the sport before placing your bets. Betting on MMA matches can be exciting and rewarding, but it’s important to make smart bets and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
The most common MMA betting lines are moneylines and over/unders, but there are also round bets that allow bettors to pick the exact round in which the fight will end. These bets are more precise than the moneyline or over/under and often yield a larger payout. For example, if you bet $100 on Ferguson to win in round three, you would receive $230. This bet type is especially lucrative in a close fight like the Nurmagomedov-Ferguson match, where a precise pick could net you a substantial payout.
While the sport is new and hasn’t been around long, it is already attracting huge audiences and massive betting stakes. Its popularity has been boosted by UFC’s success, which attracts the best fighters and produces events that rival the size of some of boxing’s biggest pay-per-views. UFC’s popularity has also led to a proliferation of regional promotions, which feature fewer star players but still attract large crowds.
One of the things that makes MMA so appealing to bettors is its high level of unpredictability. This can be a result of the unique fighting styles and physical demands of the sport, but it can also be due to the fact that the rules of the sport permit multiple methods of victory. In the case of MMA, there are no knockout or submission requirements and fighters can win by decision or by referee stoppage.
A tidal wave of controversy erupted when James Krause made public his success with betting on MMA fights. A former fighter and now coach at Glory MMA & Fitness in Kansas City, Krause told his podcast that he made more money gambling on MMA fights than he did competing as a fighter. He even went so far as to launch a Discord channel and a subscription service where he sold MMA betting tips.
The MMA betting world was shocked when it became clear that Krause was profiting from his advice by acting as an intermediary between bookmakers and bettors, giving them a credit line or login information to place bets at offshore sportsbooks. He was subsequently banned from coaching at a UFC event, barred by the NSAC and two Canadian provinces from accepting wagers on MMA events, and stripped of his trainer’s license. His gym has since been put up for sale. It was reported that he had been charging up to $2,000 a month for his tips. The controversy was the catalyst for a number of MMA betting scandals that rocked the sport and caused sportsbooks to change their lines in advance of upcoming fights.