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Mixed Martial Arts is one of the most passionately followed combat sports worldwide. In Canada, a passionate community of enthusiasts follows every punch, kick, and submission hold. The action of MMA gets even more exciting when combined with another phenomenon: sports betting.
If you’re thinking about betting on MMA you should know that it’s not as simple as choosing an event and making a prediction. First, you should decide: will you bet online? What website will you choose? You’ll need to go through a few platforms to find the best odds, but you should also understand: how do MMA betting odds work?
Let’s get into detail. We’ll give you all the info you need to start MMA betting and make the events even more action-packed than they already are.
Understanding the Betting Laws in Canada
Sports betting is not 100% legal across the entire Canada. The nation’s criminal code allowed single-game sports betting in August 2021. Before that, single-event sports betting was prohibited, leaving sports fans with parlay bets as their only option. The legalization of single-event sports betting made a huge difference for MMA fans. These are simple bets with lower risks and better chances to win. Plus, they are convenient for in-play betting. Knowing how exciting MMA fights get, placing bets in real time is a true pleasure.
Here’s the trick: each province has the right to regulate sports betting. Let’s uncover the situation within each of the biggest provinces.
Ontario
- Ontario has the most liberal sports betting regulations in Canada. As of August 2021, single-event sports betting is legal following the passage of Bill C-218.
- The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates sports betting, and the province has opened its market to private operators under iGaming Ontario, a subsidiary of AGCO.
- Online sportsbooks and casinos must secure a license from iGaming Ontario to operate legally within the province.
Manitoba
- Manitoba sports betting is allowed for players within the province, including single-event wagering, and is monitored through the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation.
- Sports betting options are available through the PlayNow platform, which is the only regulated online gambling site in the province.
- Residents can also participate in sports betting at licensed retail locations.
Alberta
- Alberta legalized single-event sports betting following the national change in law with Bill C-218 in 2021.
- The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) Commission is the regulatory body overseeing sports betting.
- Sports betting services are provided through the Play Alberta website, which is managed by AGLC.
British Columbia
- British Columbia also allows single-event sports betting as of 2021.
- The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) oversees all sports betting activities.
- Residents can place bets online through PlayNow.com, which is the province’s regulated website for gaming and sports betting.
Quebec
- Quebec permits single-event sports betting, with changes implemented after the federal legalization in 2021.
- Loto-Québec, a government corporation, manages sports betting through its Mise-o-jeu platform.
- Both online and retail betting are available, with a variety of sports and event types covered.
MMA Betting Tips: How to Place Bets in Canada
Betting on MMA follows similar principles to other sports betting activities. However, there are some unique aspects that you need to understand in order to place successful bets. This is the foundational knowledge that every bettor needs:
Understand the MMA Betting Odds
MMA betting typically uses the American format to set the odds. Fighters are assigned a negative (-) or positive (+) number. That indicates their likelihood of winning or losing. A negative number represents the fighter with a greater chance to win; and the positive is for the underdog.
These are the most common types of bets you can place on MMA events:
- Moneyline — you pick the winner of a fight;
- Prop bet — you bet on a specific outcome within a fight;
- Parlay bet — you combine multiple bets into a single ticket.
For example, let’s say that Fighter A has odds of -150 and Fighter B has odds of +200. It means you’ll need to bet CA$150 on Fighter A to win $100 (plus your initial bet). Betting CA$100 on Fighter B would get you CA$200 plus your initial bet if they win.
MMA Betting Guide: Important Tips to Follow
If you’re a fan of MMA, you know a lot about it. But will that knowledge help you place winning bets? Here’s how you can increase your chances for profit:
- Always research the fighters before placing a bet. Yes; you have a favorite and you’ll cheer for him. But will he bring you a 100% secure bet? It’s important to get familiar with the fighters’ records, styles, strengths, weaknesses, and recent performances. All those details will help you make decisions.
- Different MMA styles (striking, grappling, etc) can impact the outcome. Analyze how styles match up, so you can predict how competitive the fighters will be against each other.
- Manage your bankroll! This might be the most important betting tip, ever! It’s crucially important to set a budget for betting. Don’t ever chase losses or bet more than you can afford to lose.
How to Choose the Right Platform for MMA betting Canada
If your province offers an official sports betting site controlled by its government, you can use it to place your bets. But many offshore platforms also offer opportunities. They may give you better odds and great bonuses. If you’re having doubts regarding the right platform, these are the aspects to consider:
- Reputation — The platform you choose should have a track record of reliability and fair practices.
- User experience — A user-friendly interface is important, especially if you use your phone for betting. You should be able to smoothly navigate through the categories and place simple bets. Many platforms include free tips for understanding MMA betting odds, so you can use them to get educated before investing money in bets.
- Available Markets — Consider the variety of MMA/UFC markets that each platform offers. Greater versatility makes betting more fun. It’s great to have options with different fight outcomes, prop bets, and live betting.
Strategies for MMA Betting in CA
If you turn betting into a long-term activity, you may consider adopting a strategy. Most bettors opt for handicapping fights. For that, you need to analyze and evaluate different factors to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each fighter in the match. The goal of handicapping is to figure out discrepancies between the fighters’ true chances of winning and the odds offered by bookmakers.
These are the factors to consider when handicapping fights:
- Fighter records and recent performance
- Fighting style and techniques
- Physical attributes
- Matchup dynamics
- Training camp and preparation
- Intangibles, such as motivation, mental toughness, fight IQ, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Your goal is to look for instances where the bookmakers’ odds don’t reflect a fighter’s true chances of winning. These “value bets” are risky, but they have a potential for bigger wins.
The most important thing is to diversify your bets. Avoid placing large wagers on single events, and practice responsible bankroll management to mitigate the risks of big losses.
When developing a strategy for MMA betting, you’ll want to avoid the most common pitfalls:
- Betting with emotions — You clearly have a favorite fighter, but you should avoid personal biases and fandom influence.
- Chasing losses — Don’t ever try to recoup losses by increasing bet sizes or making impulsive wagers. That’s a good way to ruin the sport for yourself.
- Ignoring underdogs — They give you a good chance to make more money. Don’t overlook them!
How to Bet on UFC 300
The Ultimate Fighting Championship will take place in Nevada, United states on April 13 and 14. The main event in the light heavyweight category will face Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill. That’s not something you’ll want to miss!
The UFC 300 is a special event for this sport. The biggest stars compete, so it isn’t easy to create a ticket that’s sure to win. That makes betting unpredictable and even more fun.
This table compares the odds provided by the most popular international bookmakers. It will help you create a ticket:
| Fighter | bet365 | DraftKings | Caesars | FanDuel |
| Pereira | -125 | -125 | -125 | -136 |
| Hill | +100 | +105 | +105 | +106 |
With the MMA betting odds explained, you can perceive the likelihood of each fighter winning. It’s important to look into the past performances of both fighters, evaluate their fighting styles. Their recent form makes a huge difference. The factor of physical attributes also makes a difference. When analyzing their past performances, look for the trends: winning streaks or struggles that could impact their chances of winning.
During the event, you can track live updates on the betting platform you chose. Most bookmakers offer live updates and statistics, and they allow you to place live bets on the go. Don’t forget to enjoy watching the fight! It’s not all about betting, after all.
BIO: As a game developer at NetEnt, Jamie Wall gained insider expertise in the gambling industry. He also loves writing, so he relies on his two big passions to share tips and news on online gambling