As mixed martial arts solidifies its place in the North American sports mainstream, fans increasingly look to professional oddsmakers for their predictions in major upcoming bouts. Tapology’s comprehensive analysis of betting lines over the past two years shows the sportsbooks are correctly calling the eventual winner in some 70% of fights. Their performance has dropped slightly so far in 2009 compared to 2008 but is relatively consistent. If you’re a fight fan who can consistently beat the 70% threshold, it might be time to put your day job on hold and take advantage of your omniscience.
Tapology pooled together the results of 727 completed mixed martial arts fights in 2008 and 2009 where the oddsmakers had posted betting lines. The underdogs rose to the occasion and knocked off the favorite 29.1% of the time in 2008. Thus far in 2008 the oddsmakers are faring slightly worse, with the underdogs victorious 30.5% of the time.
Think you can do better? There are plenty of online sportsbooks that would be happy to take you as a customer. Beating the odds might not be as easy as it sounds, however. Correctly calling an occasional UFC main event is one thing, but including the lesser known undercards for all of the major promoters makes it a whole different ball game entirely.
| Year | Fights | Oddsmaker’s Favorite Won |
Oddsmaker’s Underdog Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 399 | 70.9% | 29.1% |
| 2009 | 328 | 69.5% | 30.5% |
