The Best MMA Betting Sites in the US for 2024
Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, as a result, MMA betting is surging in popularity. Our handy guide covers all the top MMA betting sites and how to sign up and make wagers.
Additionally, we take an in-depth look at all the MMA events you can bet on, betting markets, and live betting options. We list the best MMA sportsbooks below so you can get a quick overview of what to expect:
| Best Betting Sites in The United States | Bonus Offers | Highlights | Rating | Secure Link | T&Cs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The first step is finding a site you feel comfortable gambling with. Each site is unique in its own way with different strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to find a sportsbook that suits your taste and playing style, here are the best MMA betting sites:
It’s important to consider what you’re looking for in any of the MMA betting websites highlighted above before choosing a site to sign up to. The odds offered, available markets and range of MMA events all play a key role in making wise and potentially successful bets on mixed martial arts.
MMA Betting Odds and Payout
Finding sportsbooks with high odds is the single best thing you can do for your bankroll in the long run. It’s important to remember that the sportsbooks set their odds in a way they believe will attract equal amounts of money on both sides of the outcome.
High payouts can make a big difference, and we only recommend MMA sports betting sites that offer competitive odds and payout percentages. Here are the MMA payouts at the sportsbooks we rank highest:
| Average Odds for the Best MMA Betting Events | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMA Betting Site | UFC | UFC Fight Night | Bellator | KSW |
| BetMGM | 93.15% | 92.51% | 93.00% | 92.43% |
| Betway | 94.83% | 93.92% | 94.62% | N/A |
| Caesars | 94.12% | 93.25% | N/A | N/A |
| BetRivers | 94.72% | 93.94% | 94.12% | N/A |
| bet365 | 94.32% | 93.21 | N/A | N/A |
As shown in the table, UFC fights usually have the highest payouts. This is because sportsbooks have loads of data and are able to set the lines accurately. Sports betting sites may have limited data on lesser-known MMA companies, allowing you to capitalize through thorough research.
The trade-off is a higher commission charged by the sportsbooks. Additionally, they could implement other backstops like a wager sizing limit. This reduces the largest amount you are able to bet on MMA fights, therefore limiting risk for the operator.
Betting on MMA: Competitions & Events
Though UFC is often used as a synonym for MMA, it’s important to note that MMA is the sport, and the UFC is one promotional company. There are matches from other promoters as well, including Bellator, ONE Championship, and KSW. Knowing the difference is important when looking to bet on MMA fights or stick with UFC betting.
If you’re serious about MMA betting, it would be good to get familiar with the fighters and rules of other leagues if you aren’t already. Doing your due diligence before making a bet is always recommended.
| The Main MMA Competitions You Can Bet on | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition Name | Competition Logo | Since | Season |
| UFC | UFC | 1993 | Year Round |
| ONE Championship | ONE Championship | 2005 | Year Round |
| Bellator MMA | Bellator MMA | 2009 | Year Round |
| KSW | KSW | 2004 | Year Round |
| PFL | PFL | 2018 | Spring & Fall |
While big fights attract a lot of action, there is a lot of opportunity with smaller events. On weekends the UFC may be off, there are usually a couple of other organizations there to fill the void, giving bettors the opportunity to find good odds.
It’s crucial to find sportsbooks that offer odds on various organizations and not just the UFC. Once you start following and researching the fighters in other promotions, you can bet on MMA fights more confidently.
The MMA Events You Can Bet On
Individual events for most promotions are numbered, such as UFC 258 or Bellator 233. There is no playoff system or regular season, each new fight brings something singular and unique which opens up more wagering opportunities on MMA betting websites.
That being said, there are weight classes and titles that could be up for grabs on any given night. If you’re just starting out with MMA betting, it may be beneficial to specialize in one or two weight classes at first.
| Weight Classes by Maximum Weight | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Division | Kg | Lbs | Stone |
| Strawweight | 52.2 | 115 | 8.3 |
| Flyweight | 56.7 | 125 | 9 |
| Bantamweight | 61.2 | 135 | 9.9 |
| Featherweight | 65.8 | 145 | 10.4 |
| Lightweight | 70.3 | 155 | 11.1 |
| Welterweight | 77.1 | 170 | 12.1 |
| Middleweight | 83.9 | 185 | 13.2 |
| Light Heavyweight | 93.0 | 205 | 14 st 9 |
| Heavyweight | 120.2 | 265 | 18 st 13 |
Specialization prevents you from becoming overwhelmed with decisions. Betting on MMA is a decision-based process and reducing the potential for wrong choices allows you to make more right ones.
Over time you’ll become more comfortable with the dynamics of each weight class and with the MMA gambling sites themselves. Once you are doing well in one or two weight classes try adding a couple more until you can apply your process to all of them.
Markets on Offer
Once you decide the bout to bet on, you can look up available betting markets. There aren’t as many markets available at MMA betting sites when comparing it to a sport like association football, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
There are many angles you can take betting on MMA fights when you aren’t sure who will win. Choosing between two bruisers who typically come out swinging could be a 50/50 proposition, but you may find value in the method of victory being a knockout.
Moneyline
This straightforward bet type sees you wager on who will win a fight outright. Typically displayed as a moneyline bet, the draw is often available on the 3-way.
Method of Victory
On top of picking the winner, you can wager on whether they will do so by decision, DQ, technical knockout, or submission. This is a typical bet on MMA fights with big payout potential that necessitates extensive research on form and fighter styles.
Total Rounds
The MMA betting websites set the number of rounds, and you wager on whether the fight will go above or below than that. Knowledge of fighting styles, past form, and fighter quality is imperative for total rounds bets.
Winning Round
If you’re feeling confident enough to pick the exact winning round instead of betting on total rounds, winning round bets can bring larger payouts. While the knowledge needed is similar, it is harder to predict the winning round than the total rounds.
Live & In-Play Betting
On top of MMA online betting before the match, most operators allow you to bet on fights as they’re happening. You can pull up the live betting client on your chosen site and often get live streams or updates on the fight as it happens.
This means you can see how the two participants perform before placing your wager. If you think someone is outclassed early, it might be good to live bet on the match being short.
Another benefit of in-play MMA betting is it provides you an opportunity to hedge your original bet. If you’re not feeling confident in your original pick, you might be able to bet on the opponent at decent odds later in the match to minimize your losses.
However, this is an extremely advanced strategy best reserved for experienced bettors. Beginners should stick with smaller bets until they’re confident enough in their bankroll to raise their stakes. Ultimately, the difference between in-play and a pre-match bet on MMA fights all comes down to personal preference.
Bonuses Available
Occasionally MMA gambling sites will offer enhanced odds or a free bet in return for a wager as a way to entice new gamblers. It’s also possible to take advantage of an operator’s welcome bonus when you’re betting on MMA, can check out our list of sites with the best betting bonuses.
While there aren’t many specific MMA betting bonuses, operators sometimes make offers that apply to the entire sportsbook. An example would be an operator offering a free bet in return for wagers totaling a certain amount over the course of a week.
That being said, it pays to be aware of the bonuses being offered on specific matchups. When there is a highly publicized bout, operators tend to compete with each other for MMA online betting traffic by making promotional offers.
How to Bet on MMA
MMA betting strategy is a lot less complex than many team sports. There aren’t many opportunities for bets on peripheral stats like corner kicks in football. Most of it comes down to knowing the participants and their styles, and how these styles might affect the course of the bout.
You can find this information by researching the past form of competitors. You can deduce whether they’re more of a grappler or a boxer, whether their matches end quickly, or if they grit out longer victories.
- Pick a weight class to specialize in
- Get familiar with each fighter’s style
- Wager on the market that makes sense for the fight
- Try to use sites with a good number of markets
- Live betting can be useful
Ultimately, MMA betting and sports betting in general come down to your ability to find value over the long term. That might mean betting on different markets for different bouts. See our soccer betting guide for a super useful rundown on calculating expected value.
Facts, History, Stats
Though MMA doesn’t have the long and storied history of a sport like boxing or football, it is still quite colorful. Originally founded as a way to find out which form of martial arts was superior, competitors began mixing styles giving the sport the name mixed martial arts.
Creation of the UFC
While the UFC was officially founded in 1993 as a way to discover which martial arts are superior to others. The company struggled until 2001 when Dana White brokered a deal between Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and the brand’s earlier owner. Afterward, he was installed as UFC president and steered the brand into the multi-billion dollar powerhouse it is today.
The Ultimate Fighter
The Ultimate Fighter is a reality show and proving ground for many of the fighters who make their way to the UFC. The winner is awarded a UFC contract. The show is notable for perhaps the most memorable fight in MMA history when Forrest Griffin narrowly defeated Stephan Bonnar. This bout is widely credited as one of the best fights ever, launching MMA into the mainstream.
Welcoming Women into the Octagon
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey put the sport of women’s MMA on the map by becoming the first-ever female MMA champion, going undefeated for a period of over 1,074 days. She defended her title six times. Her eventual loss against Holly Holm was the most-watched event in the sport’s history at the time.
Dana White facilitated the sale of the original, almost defunct UFC in 2001 to his friend Lorenzo Fertitta and turned it into the spectacle it is today. Valued at over $4 billion and growing, it’s fast becoming one of the major sports worldwide.
Final Thoughts on MMA Online Betting
Overall, betting on MMA is a great choice for beginners and experienced bettors alike. It’s a lot less complex than team sports and there are multiple available betting markets. MMA popularity is growing at a rapid rate. It will be interesting to see which of the best online US betting sites will start capitalizing on its popularity.
FAQ
While we try to make our betting guides as comprehensive as possible, occasionally readers will have more specific questions, which we answer in the FAQ section below. Here are the most often-asked MMA betting questions:
🏆 What are the best MMA betting sites?
The best MMA betting sites are licensed through a regulatory authority like the Michigan Gaming Control Board. You can see our list of the best MMA betting sites for more information
🔎 Is betting on MMA allowed?
Betting on MMA is legal where sports betting is legal. If you live in a state that allows sports betting and want to begin betting on MMA, begin by looking at our section on MMA betting bonuses and choosing an operator with a string welcome offer.
📈 What are the average MMA betting odds levels?
The average MMA betting odds levels vary by sportsbook. Some are more generous than other and charge a lower commission. Click the link for a table listing the average odds at top MMA betting sites.
🚀 Is there a strategy I can follow to bet on MMA?
Yes, there is a MMA betting strategy you can follow. While this is a great starting point, it's best to develop your own process until you create your own MMA betting strategy.