How to Bet on MMA: An Expert's Guide to Analysing Fights & Finding Value Bets 2025

Best Bookmakers for Betting on MMA

The Main Types of MMA Bets Explained

To create a winning MMA betting strategy, you must first understand the main types of Mixed Martial Arts betting markets. In this section, I highlight the best options available to fight fans and online gamblers.

Fight Winner (Moneyline)

No MMA betting guide is worth reading if it doesn’t cover the fight winner market. The simplest way to gamble on mixed martial arts and the UFC is to pick which warrior you expect to win a bout. You have a one-in-two chance of landing your bet. If your pick wins, you get the profits. If they lose, the bookmaker keeps your stake.

Method of Victory

Looking for a way to bet with higher odds? The method of victory delivers. With this approach, you must predict which fighter will win and how they’ll get the result: on points, by submission, or by knockout. It’s more challenging than the fight-winner option, but the rewards are much higher. That’s the method of victory explained in a nutshell.

Total Rounds (Over/Under)

The next market covered in our article covering UFC betting for beginners is the total rounds. It’s an ideal market for those eager to avoid picking sides, especially in an unpredictable contest. The bookmaker will set the line – 3.5 rounds, for example – and you must predict if the contest will last more than 3.5 rounds (over) or less than 3.5 rounds (under). It’s a straight win-or-lose situation.

Fight to Go the Distance

Available in both pre-fight and live MMA betting, you can predict if a fight will last the scheduled distance or not. It’s a simple yes-or-no situation. The winner and final result aren’t important. You’re betting on the bout to go to a decision or end early.

To Win Inside the Distance

An MMA betting market that’s best for fight fans who expect a bout to end inside the distance, but they’re not sure if it’ll be a knockout or submission. The above market covers both possible outcomes. If the bout ends before the final bell, you receive the returns; however, if it goes the distance, your bet is a loser, regardless of the winning fighter.

How to Analyse a Fight: A Strategy Guide

Let’s now turn our attention to how to analyse a UFC fight. The sections below are crucial in developing an effective MMA betting strategy. Here’s how to make informed, data-driven decisions on mixed martial arts.

Styles Make Fights

I’ve been betting on combat sports for many years and am also a former professional boxer, so I know this is true more than most – styles make fights. You should research the styles and form of both gladiators before risking your stake.

If both combatants are come-forward and aggressive fighters, a bout is unlikely to last the distance. If they’re cagey technicians, you can expect more of a ‘thinking fight’. You may also find a good blend, like a pressure fighter versus a counter-striker. That’s when things get interesting. I’ve seen in many cases that a good technician beats a good all-action fighter.

Fighter Form and Recent Activity

Following the form when making your UFC predictions will often lead you to the winning fighter, but if you’re willing to dig deeper, you’ll uncover better odds and more appealing bets. Study the past performances of both fighters and check not only if they’ve been winning, but how they’ve been winning: on points or inside the distance.

It’s also worth checking on the calibre of their previous opponents. A winning streak is impressive, but not if it’s against low-level opposition with little coming back at them. If a good fighter is returning from an extended break, it may take them a while to settle.

Key Physical Attributes

Skills are important, but you must remember this is the fight game. Check the physical attributes of both fighters to see if you can find any obvious advantages. If one fighter is coming up from the weight class below, they’ll boast speed, but will concede power to their opponent. If one fighter is much taller, that range will impact the result.

Study the tale of the tape and you’ll often uncover a good angle and way to predict the result. Then you can focus on fitness. Does one fighter have an incredible engine and will grow into the contest? They may win on points or by a late stoppage. Does one fighter love a fast and aggressive start? They may explode out of the starting blocks.

Statistical Deep Dive

Eager to learn from the professional bettors? You must be willing to work harder than most gamblers. Analyse stats like Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute (SLPM), Takedown Defence (TDD%), and Submission Average. The more you study, the more likely you are to land a winning bet and secure a profit.

The smallest margins can decide the outcome of an MMA fight, especially in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The most profitable combat sports bettors spent hours identifying key statistics and studying them to spot any mistakes in the odds and capitalise on opportunities.

The Flashscore Advantage: Your Essential MMA Research Hub

Knowing the stats and trends to follow gives you an edge over the competition. But where do you find a reliable source for the latest statistics? Flashscore has everything you need in one place. In this section, I’ll explain how you can use the Flashscore MMA tab to access the form, figures, and more. In short, everything you need to make a well-informed prediction.

Detailed Fighter Profiles

Visit the Flashscore website or mobile app and click on the MMA tab. Select scheduled fights and the correct date to view the entire card. Pick the fighter you wish to analyse to view their complete record, including wins, draws and losses, physical stats like height, reach and weight. You can also break down their record, looking at knockouts, points wins and the percentage of submissions. This information is ideal for predicting the method of victory and other specials.

Complete Fight History

Flashscore has a profile page for all the top fighters and the best of the emerging talent in both male and female MMA. Each profile includes all a fighter’s past bouts, meaning you can quickly, easily, and accurately check the quality of previous opponents, how active a fighter has been, and how they’ve been winning or losing recent bouts.

Side-by-Side H2H Comparison

One of the best ways to predict the outcome of a fight is to study the head-to-head results. If the pair have met previously, you can see the exact result. Will the rematch bring more of the same? If two fighters are meeting for the first time, you can compare performances and results against the same opponents. The H2H puts the core stats of each fighter at a glance, allowing you to quickly identify patterns and trends.

Live Event Tracking

You can rely on Flashscore to provide live updates on all major MMA fights, allowing you to track fights, results, and bets as they happen. It’s ideal for those who have placed an MMA parlay, and the rapid updates are great when you’re considering cashing out your bets.