MMA has skyrocketed in popularity, going toe-to-toe with boxing, with the UFC dominating, but with more traction coming in other events and organizations too such as Bellator.
With the huge surge in popularity it's no wonder that wagering on MMA has also seen a huge increase, but with so many betting operators around, it's hard to understand where the best mma betting sites for Michigan players are.
We're here to walk you through the best MMA sportsbooks in Michigan state, and we'll go into great detail around MMA bonuses, what makes a great MMA betting product and the sport itself, below.
Best MMA Betting Sites in Michigan
- 1
BetMGM Sportsbook
First Bet Offer - Up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
Place your first qualifying bet and get up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets if your first bet loses.
- 2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Up to $1,000 Second Chance Bet - Paid in Bonus Bets
Simply deposit a minimum of $10 to FanDuel Sportsbook, and then make a first qualifying bet. If it doesn't win, they'll refund this stake as bonus bets, up to a max of $1,000
- 3
Caesars Sportsbook
First Bet Offer - Up to $1,000 back in Bonus Bets
Place your first qualifying cash bet and if it loses, you’ll get it back as a Bonus Bet – up to $1,000
- 4
BetRivers Sportsbook
Second chance bet of up to $500
If your first bet loses, you will get 100% of the money back as a bonus bet, up to $500
Above you will find the betting sites that deliver the best overall environment for betting on MMA - we take into account our overall views of these sportsbooks and then double-down on the detail they apply to the UFC and MMA in general.
As mentioned earlier, MMA has seen a surge in popularity, becoming a direct competitor to boxing. By closely watching the matchups, you'll get a better understanding of the sport and gain confidence to place bets on MMA fights. Also, it's wise to check out specialized websites for all the info you need, thus improving your chances of making winning predictions.
What do the best MMA betting sites offer Michigan Players?
When discussing a top betting site, several key factors come into play. This applies to any sport offered by the betting site, including MMA.
Firstly, we need to ensure the betting site is regulated and legally operational to avoid risking your personal information with scammers.
Once you've decided to sign up for a fully legal online MMA betting site, consider the available payment methods, as this will enable you to make deposits and withdrawals anytime, anywhere. It's essential to have popular payment options available, including Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, Paysafecard, and credit cards.
After checking the variety of payment methods, also examine the betting options provided by the site. This includes MMA matches and betting predictions available at any time. Additionally, see if you can watch the matches live.
Lastly, don't forget to check out the welcome offers for new users. Every new player at a betting site can benefit from a welcome bonus, which can be quite substantial depending on the site's generosity.
We take a deeper look at more features to expect, below.
MMA Cash out Opportunities
When a betting site offers you the cash-out option, you're getting one of the best features a betting platform can provide. Simply put, this function lets you close your bet at any time, giving you the chance to either lock in some winnings or minimize losses if things aren't looking good.
For instance, if you've got a bet rolling on the UFC and you've won a few matches but the last one isn't looking great, the cash-out feature comes in handy. It secures you some profit and avoids potential losses.
MMA Betting Sites: MMA Live Streaming - Watch and Bet
Another key feature, just as crucial as cash-out and widely available at many betting sites, is the ability to live stream MMA events you're wagering on or want to wager on.
This feature lets you watch an MMA match live, and depending on how the match unfolds, you can make more informed betting decisions, possibly increasing your chances of winning since you've seen part of the action.
Betting on MMA within Michigan
From the local fights to the glitz of UFC, Michigan's got your MMA betting covered from all angles. Online MMA betting stepped into the ring in December 2019, with the first wagers thrown down in early 2021. Even before the official bell, you could lay your MMA bets at select spots like Dacey’s in Firekeepers Casino.
MMA's got a fervent following far and wide, and Michigan's bookmakers were already in the fray, setting odds and lines well before they officially set up in the state. This means you're stepping into a top-tier MMA betting arena, all legit, safe, and by the book.
Betting on College Wrestling
Diving into college wrestling betting might just be your secret move for big wins. The wildcard here is the athlete's experience – those college wrestlers are often a tougher puzzle for bookies, leading to some unexpected twists in the odds.
With Michigan entering the ring for college wrestling betting, all the local bookies are getting in on the action. One catch, though, is bets on individual athlete performances are somewhat scarce here, due to NCAA rules aiming to keep the collegiate sport more low-key.
MMA Betting Markets - Plenty to Wager on in Michigan
The go-to MMA betting strategies in Michigan might be exactly what you'd think; Match Winner Betting, Round Betting & Method of Victory Betting.
Besides these champions, there's a wildcard in Fighter Performance markets. Picture bets like the first to land a takedown, someone submitting their opponent at any point, and the last fighter to score a knockout. These options have the fans buzzing, which means the odds are tight and finding value is like spotting a diamond in the rough.
For the strategy masters and those ready to dig deeper, prop bets on fighter performance are where the real action is. These less common bets, like predicting a fighter's total strikes or takedown accuracy, can be treasure troves of value due to fewer bets being placed.
In reality, when it comes to types of bets in MMA, the go-tos are the straight bets. You can bet on either fighter, but there's no betting on a draw. Draws are rare in MMA, happening in only about 1.5% of fights.
Some other popular bets include round betting (picking the winner of a specific round), double chance (betting on two out of three possible outcomes), and victory method (predicting how a fighter will win, either by knockout or submission).
MMA Betting Bonuses for Michigan Players
Nowadays, when we talk about bonuses at online betting sites, it's a major factor in choosing where to play. Betting sites know this and have started to compete with increasingly attractive offers to draw in more users.
Let's highlight two common types of bonuses offered by betting sites.
MMA Welcome Bonuses
First up is the welcome bonus, which rewards new customers when they join a sportsbook. Often, this sees the betting site matching a certain percentage of a first deposit.
If you sign up at a betting site that offers a 100% bonus on your initial deposit and you put in $100, the site will give you another $100. So, you start with $200, with $100 of that being the bonus.
Another good example is the Bonus Bet or Second Chance Bet, where they'll refund your first losing bet as a bonus bet. Caesars do this well and you can receive up to $1,000 as a bonus bet if your first bet loses!
There are very rarely limits on the type of sport you can use a welcome bonus on, making these perfect if you want to get a bit more value on your MMA bets.
Odds Boosts for MMA
Another popular promotion to consider is the Odds Boost or Profit Boost - where a sportsbook will take a market and offer a limited time boost on the odds or the overall profit in question.
So you may find your favorite UFC star have his or her odds boosted to beat their opponent and this is largely because the sportbook wants to drive wagering activity, or they want to oppose the selection in the market. Either way, it gives you a great way to get a little more bang for your buck.
MMA Betting in Michigan - What competitions can you bet on?
Given the rising popularity of MMA, it's no surprise betting sites are paying more attention to it, offering bets on a wide range of events worldwide. However, MMA doesn't have 'competitions' or 'tournaments' in the traditional sense since matches are scheduled individually over time.
So, there aren't specific competitions to discuss, but there is the UFC, the leading organization that organizes MMA matches globally. These matches are set up by the big shots in Las Vegas in direct collaboration with the fighters.
Then there are other organisations including:
- The PFL - The Professional Fighters League where champs like Francis Ngannou have found themselves.
- Bellator - Another US-founded MMA promotional organisation; not as popular as the UFC but with quality fighting on the cards regardless.
- The ONE Championship - based from Thailand and with a heavy focus on Muay Thai style fighting, this is a high-octane organisation with some serious competitors involed.
Maximizing Your Winning Chances - MMA Betting Strategy
Naturally, every bettor wants to boost their odds of winning. Doing your homework before placing MMA bets is crucial. Check out how a fighter has been performing recently and if there's a particular reason they're fighting, like a title shot or just a high-stakes showcase match.
Also, looking at past encounters between the fighters can give you insights into how they might perform against each other again, potentially improving your betting success.
When you decide to place bets, especially on MMA, you've got a fair shot at winning. Why's that? Because you can track the direction of the event in real time, but only if you're paying close attention to the match.
Live Betting on MMA in Michigan.
This way, you get to gauge the fighters' conditions – who's in top form, who might be dealing with injuries or fatigue, and so on. Based on this crucial info, you can make a more informed bet.
Key advice: don't chase after the highest odds. Instead, make your bet after thoroughly checking all the match info and watching a good chunk of the fight live. Also, avoid betting on a comeback or just on a whim, hoping for a big win.
When a fight goes the distance you've got so many more data points to work with, so use them to your advantage when placing your wagers.
Conclusion - Loads of MMA Betting Sites in Michigan
To sum up, it's clear there are some excellent Michigan betting sites for MMA wagering. When you find one that offers live streaming, in-play data, a huge volume of markets, and covers all the major MMA organisations, then you know you're in the right place.
On top of this the best MMA betting sites offer strong bonuses focused around the UFC, including odds boosts. Find your next MMA sportsbook above and enjoy the fight!
FAQs
Betting on the MMA in Michigan is completely legal as long as you're playing at one of the many excellent sportsbooks that have a license granted by the MGCB and you're wagering from within the state lines.
Whilst it's a subjective matter, there are many excellent sportsbooks that focus on MMA - largely thanks to the rise of the UFC as a sporting spectacle. When we analyzed the all of the bookmakers in Michigan for MMA, we felt that BetMGM and FanDuel stood out with their huge bonuses, the product-focus on UFC itself, and their in-play data options for the sport.
Wagering on the MMA is simple really - choose your favorite sportsbook, login, and head to the sports hub page. Look for MMA or UFC - or any of the major MMA organisations you love to follow - and then you'll find all the relevant markets needed. From fight winner to Round betting and fighter props, you'll have plenty to look at. Pick your selection, add your stake and watch the event. Easy.
The simplest bet format is the fight winner bet - just choosing the winner of the fight. Alternatively none of the markets are particularly hard to wager on. Round betting just means you're choosing the round where the victory takes place. Method of victory just means choosing from knockout or TKO, or submission for example. You can also easily parlay multiple fights, or you could look at fighter props bets if you get really ambitious.