MMA betting is an exciting and fun way to wager on a fight. By understanding the odds, recognizing different bet types, and conducting thorough research on fighters, you can make informed wagers and potentially earn payouts. However, remember to always bet responsibly and follow sound bankroll management.
Moneyline bets are the most straightforward type of MMA bet. They involve choosing which fighter you expect to win the bout. The odds are displayed as a plus or minus system, with the favored fighter offering a lower payout and the underdog delivering a higher one. The odds will shift throughout the day and may change on fight night based on betting patterns or any new information about a fighter.
In addition to bets on the winner of a fight, MMA bettors can also place wagers on the method of victory and total rounds. Method of victory bets can include a technical knockout or a unanimous decision, which requires two of three judges to award a fighter the win. Total rounds bets are based on the number of round scheduled for the fight. Oddsmakers set an Over/Under line on the expected number of rounds and price both sides of the bet.
Mma bettors can also place prop, futures, and live bets. Prop bets, or proposition bets, are wagers on specific events during a fight, including who will score the first knockdown or attempt the first submission maneuver. Some sportsbooks even offer bets on whether a fighter will touch gloves at the beginning of a fight. Futures bets, on the other hand, are wagers on a specific outcome in the mid to long term. For example, you can make a futures bet on which fighter will be the UFC champion at year’s end.
A key element of MMA betting is researching and studying the fighters’ fighting styles, record, and recent performances. In addition, bettors should pay attention to a fighter’s reach and weight and the amount of time between his last fight. A fighter coming off a devastating KO loss, for example, may become more cautious inside the octagon and lose his edge.
Unlike boxing, which has a set weight class, MMA has several different divisions and many fighters move up or down in classes depending on success and competition. This can make it difficult for bettors to understand a fighter’s true weight class. In addition, fighters who struggle to make weight can sometimes dehydrate and starve themselves in an effort to stay under the limit. This can leave them exhausted and weakened for the fight, giving their opponents an advantage.
