Encompassing disciplines such as MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), Judo, Taekwondo, and Karate, martial arts have gained popularity on online betting platforms, especially MMA, which has grown exponentially thanks to organizations such as the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).
Betting sites offer a wide range of markets that allow punters to explore various options and strategies, from simple bets to more complex combinations. Below, we briefly explain the main types of bets available on online platforms for martial arts.
1. Moneyline Bet
The simplest and most common type of bet in martial arts is the Moneyline bet. In this type, the punter simply chooses which fighter will win the fight. Betting sites offer odds for each fighter, which reflect their probability of victory based on the analysis of factors such as their record, fighting style, and recent performance.
In an MMA fight, for example, the favorite will have lower odds, indicating that he is more likely to win, while the underdog will have higher odds, meaning that he offers a higher profit if he manages to win. This is the most popular option due to its simplicity and easy understanding for novice bettors.
2. Method of Victory Bet
In this type of bet, the bettor must not only predict who will win the fight, but also how they will do so. Method of Victory bets usually offer three main options: victory by knockout (KO or TKO), victory by submission, or victory by decision (when the fight goes to the end and the judges decide the result). This type of bet is more complex than the simple winner bet, but the odds are usually more attractive due to the higher degree of difficulty.
For example, if a fighter is known for his knockout power, the odds for him to win by KO or TKO will be lower, but if a fighter is more technical and tends to win by judges’ decision, the odds for that option might be better. Method of victory bets require a good analysis of each fighter’s fighting style.
3. Number of Rounds (Over/Under) Bet
Over/Under bets are another popular option in martial arts, and are based on the length of the fight. Instead of predicting who will win, the bettor bets on whether the fight will last more or less than a certain number of rounds. For example, if the fight is set to last 2.5 rounds, the bettor must decide whether the fight will end sooner (less than 2.5 rounds) or later (more than 2.5 rounds).
This type of bet is ideal for those who prefer to bet on the length of the fight rather than the outright result. If the fighters are known for their aggression and ability to finish fights quickly, Under bets usually have lower odds. On the other hand, if both fighters have a defensive style or tend to last until the end, Over bets may be more attractive.
4. Exact Round Bet
For those looking for a bigger challenge and a bigger reward, Exact Round bets allow you to predict which round the fight will end in. The bettor chooses both the winner of the fight and the round in which they will win, which increases the level of difficulty but also the odds and potential profits.
For example, a bettor might predict that a fighter will win in the second round by knockout, which combines the prediction of the winner, the method of victory and the specific round. This bet is more difficult to get right, but offers higher returns.
5. Parlays
Parlays allow bettors to make multiple predictions in a single bet. In martial arts, parlays often involve multiple fights on the same card, meaning the bettor must correctly predict the outcome of more than one fight to win the bet.
Parlay bets can include different types of bets, such as choosing the winner of three different fights or combining an outcome of one fight with the method of victory of another. Although the odds increase considerably as more fights are added to the mix, the risk also increases, as a single error in any prediction voids the entire bet.
6. In-Play Betting
Live betting is betting that is done during the course of the fight. Bookmakers adjust the odds in real time based on the fighters’ performance, allowing punters to react to what is happening in the fight. In-play betting is particularly exciting in contact sports like martial arts, where a single punch or move can change the course of the fight.
This type of betting offers punters the chance to take advantage of opportunities that were not apparent before the fight, such as a fighter who starts off strong but becomes exhausted in the later rounds, or one who surprises with an unexpected submission.
Conclusion
Online betting platforms offer a wide variety of martial arts betting types, from simple bets on the winner to more complex options such as the method of victory or the exact number of rounds. To be successful, punters must have a good understanding of the fighters’ styles, their track records, and the dynamics of each fight. With an analytical and strategic approach, martial arts betting can be an exciting and lucrative experience.
