MMA props betting has added a new element to placing a wager on mixed martial arts. Instead of choosing a fighter to win the match, you have multiple props bets at your disposal.
Mixed martial arts props can feature anything from choosing the method of victory to deciding when the fight will end. Some props are safer choices while others offer higher payouts.
When deciding on your MMA bet, you need to make sure to consider a number of factors, including odds, promotions, and more, which will be outlined in this article. Without further ado, let’s get right into it to give you a better understanding of MMA props betting.
Best MMA Prop Bets Today
How MMA Prop Betting Works
MMA prop betting focuses on more specific details of a fight. Instead of just taking the outright winner, you’re getting more in-depth outcomes.
Each of the following options has higher odds than choosing the winner because you’re betting on the method of victory and length of the match.
You can choose how your fighter wins:
- TKO/KO or DQ: Win by knockout or disqualification
- Submission: The winning fighter gets their opponent to tap out with their submission move
- Decision: The match goes the full five rounds and the result is determined by the judges
- Tie: Bet on the match to finish as a draw at much higher odds
You can also select match props, where you don’t need to pick the winner:
- Go the Distance: Bet “yes" or “no" on the fight to go the full five rounds
- What Round Will Fight End: Select the round where the match is concluded
- TKO/KO or DQ
- Submission
- Tie
You’re even able to pick which round the fight ends and include the winner along with the method of victory in this section.
For example, if I think that Erin Blanchfield will win the fight but want a better payout, I can place a wager on her to win by TKO in the third round.
There are also props where you select the winner of each round, as determined by official scoring. You’ll find that some sites provide alternate lines, where you can choose a winner in Round 1 or 2, rather than limiting it to just one round. These include other options like “Win Round 3 or by Decision."
Best MMA Prop Betting Sites
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook emerged as a daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator before expanding to include a betting site that has become one of the most popular in the industry.
The sportsbook is user-friendly and includes a number of useful promotions that add value to your wagers. There is a customer support team readily available on multiple platforms, including live chat.
The site became the exclusive sportsbook and DFS operator of the UFC, signing a lucrative sponsorship deal in 2021. You’ll find a robust selection of MMA props here, making DraftKings a top choice for this betting market.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook has evolved into the premier sportsbook in the country. Starting as a pioneer in the DFS space and growing into the creator of Same Game Parlays, FanDuel remains one of the top options on the market.
The app functions at a high level with no crashing or lagging issues. You’re able to choose from dozens of props for your favorite fight, including the method of victory for the winner.
FanDuel also features promos such as odds boosts, which enhance the moneylines of selected outcomes, giving you a chance at a higher payout.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook is a reputable operator created out of a partnership between MGM Resorts and Entain Holdings. You can feel at ease depositing funds into your account, using one of the many banking methods provided by the site.
There’s also a user-friendly platform with one of the best live-betting sections in the industry. It’s easy to find what you’re looking for with the organized layout on the site and it’s fun to be able to live-stream selected events at BetMGM.
You’ll find a ton of options for MMA props here, including odds boosts and UFC-specific promotions.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers Sportsbook is renowned for its terrific welcome bonus, which has some of the lowest playthrough requirements in the iGaming space.
Take advantage of your bet credits to take a shot on an underdog in an upcoming MMA fight, or try to convert them into cash by focusing on safer props.
The site is easy to navigate and will leave you feeling satisfied as an MMA bettor.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook has become a titan in the iGaming industry, especially following the purchase of popular European operator William Hill in 2021.
The site has a lucrative welcome bonus that can put you on a path to success in your MMA betting venture. There are also a number of banking methods to choose from, so you can feel comfortable depositing or withdrawing funds.
It’s also awesome to be able to rack up points that can be redeemed for hotel accommodations or fine dining at Caesars’ properties.
How To Pick the Best MMA Prop Betting Sites
Choosing the best MMA prop betting site involves some consideration of a few factors, outlined below.
Functionality
You want the sportsbook to be easily accessible. The information should be laid out in sections along with a search bar, making it easier to find your preferred wager. The app should work at a high speed without any technical issues.
Welcome Bonus
Each betting site has a welcome bonus, but some are better than others. You want to target sportsbooks with first deposit matches and lower wagering requirements. This way, you can get bet credits instantly into your account and convert them into withdrawable cash with fewer bets. Risk-free bets are also useful, but not as good as deposit bonuses.
Promotions
It’s helpful to have a nice selection of promos that cater to MMA, such as odds boosts on selected fighters. This is a great way to get more value on your wager, so check in to see that your site includes this feature.
Props
You want to have as many options as possible, so your site should feature a robust selection of props. This can include method of victory, props by round, and more. This gives you more opportunities to find an edge and make a profit.
Odds
It’s important that the odds on your site align with the rest of the betting market. You don’t want to be paying inflated prices for props that have more value on other sportsbooks.
MMA Prop Betting Promotions
The most popular MMA prop betting promotion is an odds boost, which inflates a moneyline to give you better value.
For example, Kamaru Usman may be -150 to win a fight by TKO, but he could be boosted to +100 odds. This means that instead of risking $150 to win $100, you save $50 at the enhanced moneyline.
These savings can really add up in the long run, so be on the lookout for odds boosts.
You also may find Bet & Get promos leading up to a big MMA event. This is where you place a wager that adheres to the wagering requirements and you’ll receive bet credits.
An example of this could be: “Bet $25+ on a UFC fighter to win by TKO/DQ/Submission, Get $10 in bet credits." This is helpful because you’re awarded free bets just for participating in the MMA market.
Best MMA Prop Bets
While prop bets are fun, it’s important to target those that are easier to project. Below you’ll find an explanation of each of the best choices.
Method of Victory
You’ll often find expensive moneylines on outright winners, with heavy favorites costing a ton of juice. For example, Valentina Shevchenko is -800 to win against Taila Santos. That means that you’d risk $800 to win $100 on that wager. Instead, you should opt for a method of victory prop.
You can choose Shevchenko to win by TKO at a reduced cost, making it a more palatable price for your bankroll. It’s all about managing your risk here, as anything can happen in these fights. You never want to be laying such heavy juice.
Result of Fight
If you’re not sure about who you think will win or you’re unwilling to pay the inflated price on a heavy favorite, you can roll with the result of the fight. This is where you choose whether the fight will end in submission, knockout, or decision.
These are the safest choices for MMA prop betting, but here is a longshot option:
Round Betting
If you want to shoot for the moon at a higher payout, you can try to take a fighter to win in a specific round. These have higher odds because they are harder to hit.
For example, instead of taking a fighter to win by submission at any time, you can take them to win in the third round.
MMA Prop Betting Strategy
The best way to attack the MMA prop betting market is to focus on choosing a fighter’s method of victory.
First, you should research their fighting style. Some are great on the ground, using their submission moves to beat their opponent. Others are better strikers, which gives them a higher probability of winning by knockout.
Think about how each style could match up against each other and try to determine which fighter has the edge. From there, take the most likely method of victory for the fighter. You don’t want to be taking a fighter with good striking abilities to win by submission.
The next piece of advice to consider is to limit your specific round bets because they’re much harder to win. It’s tough to pick which round the fight will end, so be sure to only use sprinkle these types of wagers.
It’s much better to instead take a fighter to win a specific round, especially if you’re watching the fight. Let’s say that you notice that one fighter came on strong towards the end of the second round. You may take them to carry that momentum over to the next round. This is one way to find an edge by taking props during the fight.
Overall, the most important thing to do is to make sure to research each fighter. The more that you know about their tendencies and track record, the better chance you’ll have at hitting your prop bet.
Benefits of MMA Prop Betting Online
There are several benefits of MMA prop betting online, including the following:
- Stay on top of the latest changes in odds with quick access to information
- Place your wager from the comfort of your personal electronic device
- Take advantage of welcome bonuses that add bet credits to your balance
- Get value with promotions like odds boosts, giving you a chance at better payouts
- Sweat your bet in real-time by using the live-betting platform
- Resolve any potential issues by speaking to a customer service representative
How to Place an MMA Prop Bet Online
Here’s all you need to do to place an MMA prop bet online:
- Click one of our links or enter our promo code
- Register at your desired sportsbook
- If you already have an account, log in
- Access the MMA betting market by clicking on that section
- Select your preferred fight
- Choose the desired prop
- Add it to your bet slip
- Type in your stake
- Click “Place Bet"
- You’re ready to roll!
Where Can I Legally Place MMA Prop Bets Online?
You can legally place MMA prop bets online in the following states:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Choose More Than One MMA Prop Betting Site
Be sure to choose more than one MMA prop betting site. Here’s why:
- Shop around multiple sportsbooks to get the best bang for your buck
- Take advantage of more than one welcome bonus, building your bankroll
- Get the best that each site has to offer: some thrive in live betting, others have better props markets
Keep in mind that these are one-time offers, so try to max them out to take full advantage.
