What “odds” mean and how to read them
American moneyline odds show the price to win 100 units on a favorite (negative odds) or the profit from a 100-unit stake on an underdog (positive odds). You can convert them to implied probability to sanity-check the price. For positive odds, implied probability = 100 / (odds + 100); for negative odds, use |odds| / (|odds| + 100). Reputable guides and exchanges publish these formulas so you can compare prices across books.
Moneylines on MMA: 2-way vs 3-way markets
A 2-way moneyline grades only on which fighter wins; if the official result is a draw, most books void and return stakes for this market type. Some operators also offer a 3-way moneyline that includes Draw as an outcome; on 3-way markets a draw is a winning selection, not a push. Always check which version you’re betting. Example language from major operators clarifies that “To Win the Fight” voids on a draw, while 3-way markets price the draw explicitly.
Over/Under rounds and the “half-round” rule
Totals in MMA are usually listed with half-rounds (for example, 1.5 or 2.5). A round is considered complete for settlement once half its time has elapsed while the fight is still ongoing. On five-minute rounds, “Over 2.5” requires the bout to pass 2:30 of Round 3; if the fight ends exactly at 2:30, operators specify how it grades. Industry rulebooks and house rules spell this out.
Prop bets you’ll see most often
Method of victory
You’re picking how the fight ends, such as KO/TKO/DQ, Submission, or Decision. Books also offer “Inside the Distance,” which pays if your fighter wins before the final bell by stoppage of any type (KO/TKO/DQ/Submission/Technical Decision per house rules). Read the operator’s definition carefully.
Round betting and grouped rounds
You can bet the exact round of a stoppage or grouped rounds (for example, Rounds 1–2). Some books count a fighter failing to answer the bell as a stoppage in the previous round. Technical Decisions before the scheduled end are commonly treated as “Decision/Points” for settlement.
Fight to go the distance
This totals-style market settles on whether all scheduled rounds are completed. If scheduled rounds change, distance markets are often voided. Technical Decisions before the end are typically graded as “did not go the distance.”
How fights are scored and why it matters for your bets
Professional MMA in the U.S. is scored under the Unified Rules using the 10-Point Must system with three judges. The round winner receives 10 points; the opponent gets 9 or fewer, with 10-10 rounds rare. Understanding scoring priorities and fouls helps when betting decisions or live markets that swing on point deductions. Refer to the current Unified Rules from the Association of Boxing Commissions and official UFC pages summarizing the same standards.
Settlement “gotchas” that trip up new bettors
Books publish detailed grading rules you should skim before betting:
• No contest, disqualification, or substitutions can void markets depending on type.
• If a fighter fails to answer the bell for a new round, the bout is deemed ended in the previous round for settlement.
• Scheduled-rounds changes can void totals, round, and exact-method markets.
• Some operators explicitly state that subsequent appeals do not change settlement; only the official result announced in the cage counts.
These points appear consistently across well-known operators’ rule pages.
Crypto-sportsbook specifics: payments, rules, and compliance
Crypto-native books like Stake publish MMA rules comparable to fiat books, including the half-round settlement and result-at-final-bell clauses. That means your bet grading should mirror traditional sportsbooks, even if you deposit via USDT, BTC, or other coins. Separately, in regulated markets, ID checks apply regardless of payment method: UK rules require operators to verify name, address, and date of birth before you gamble or withdraw. Some stablecoins can be frozen at the issuer level under legal orders; weigh speed and fees against this custodial risk when choosing your bankroll currency.
Worked examples
Converting odds to probabilities
If a favorite is −150, implied probability ≈ 150 / (150 + 100) = 60%. If the underdog is +200, implied probability ≈ 100 / (200 + 100) = 33.33%. Use these to judge whether your read on the matchup beats the market.
Totals with the half-round rule
On Over 2.5 rounds, you need the fight to reach later than 2:30 of Round 3 in a three-round bout; an early stoppage at 1:15 of Round 3 would grade Under. Operators document that a round is “complete” at its halfway point for settlement.
Method and round props
If you bet Fighter A by KO/TKO in Round 2 and the opponent cannot answer the bell for Round 3, most operators settle that as a Round 2 stoppage per house rules. If an accidental foul leads to a Technical Decision before the end, props usually grade as Decision, not a stoppage.
Quick pre-bet checklist
Confirm whether your moneyline is 2-way or 3-way. Verify the totals line and remember the half-round rule. Read method/round definitions for what counts as KO/TKO vs Submission vs Technical Decision. Check the book’s policy on draws, no contests, and scheduled-round changes. On crypto books, confirm deposit networks, any KYC requirement for your region, and keep a small balance of the chain’s gas token if you’re using self-custody.
FAQ
What’s the difference between 2-way and 3-way moneylines in MMA?
2-way grades only on the winner; if the fight is a draw, most books void. 3-way includes Draw as a third outcome. Operator examples explicitly distinguish the two.
How do half-round totals settle?
A round is considered complete at its halfway point for settlement; on five-minute rounds that is 2:30. Over 2.5 needs the bout to pass 2:30 of the third round. Rule pages state this explicitly.
What counts for “Inside the Distance” or KO markets?
Inside the Distance generally includes stoppages like KO, TKO, DQ, Submission, Technical Submission, and Technical Decision per the house rules. KO/TKO markets often include DQ. Read the operator’s specific definitions.
Where can I read the official scoring criteria?
See the latest Unified Rules of MMA and UFC’s official summary of the 10-Point Must system and fouls.
Do crypto sportsbooks follow different grading rules?
No—reputable crypto books mirror standard grading: result at the final bell, half-round settlement, void rules for no contest or schedule changes. Always confirm on your book’s rules page.
Sources and further reading
• ABC/Association of Boxing Commissions — Unified Rules of MMA (10-Point Must, judging, fouls).
• UFC — official page summarizing the Unified Rules and scoring.
• Pinnacle — MMA market rules, including half-round settlement and “Inside Distance” definitions.
• Stake — Sportsbook rules for combat sports, including result-at-final-bell and half-round notes.
• Betfair — sportsbook and exchange MMA rules covering draws, technical decisions, and void conditions.
• Bovada — boxing/MMA rules illustrating round-betting and technical-decision grading.
• Odds math — implied probability conversion for American odds.
• Compliance — UK Gambling Commission guidance on identity verification before you gamble.
• Stablecoin note — Tether’s wallet-freezing policy announcement.
