MMA betting has long distanced itself from the dark days when John McCain infamously referred to the sport as “human cockfighting.” Thankfully, gamblers no longer need to trek to underground sports gambling speakeasies to place wagers on perfectly legal fights. Instead, they can confidently browse a wide selection of reliable MMA betting sites online and enjoy the competitive odds offered by these platforms.
The most popular MMA betting market is Money Line bets, where punters pick which fighter they think will win a given bout. In order to make the best possible selections, it’s imperative that bettors perform extensive research on the combatants involved in each fight. This includes studying fight history, as well as evaluating statistics such as strikes landed, takedown defense and more. The most successful MMA bettors also use qualitative analysis, focusing on fighting styles and physical attributes that aren’t easily reflected in statistical data.
Another important consideration is a fighter’s weight class. MMA fights are divided into various weight classes, with fighters moving up and down based on their performance levels. Many of these fighters struggle to maintain their weight classes, and this can have a significant impact on their performance. When making MMA bets, be sure to note how close each fighter is to the limit and their habits during fight camp. Fighters who are struggling to make weight may undergo drastic measures to avoid tipping the scale, which can leave them exhausted before they even step into the cage.
In addition to a fighter’s weight class, bettors should take into account their reach. Generally speaking, fighters with longer reach are able to deliver more strikes without risking getting closed off by their opponents’ guards. This is particularly important in a matchup between two strikers, as a fighter with greater reach can exploit openings that would be out of range for their opponent.
Bettors should also pay attention to the stance of each fighter. In MMA, like in boxing, fighters can be either orthodox or southpaw, and these tendencies should be taken into account when assessing the fight’s outcome. For example, a fighter who is southpaw can use their natural hand-fighting skills to their advantage against an orthodox fighter.
Lastly, bettors should consider the number of rounds in a given MMA fight when placing Over/Under bets. Oddsmakers will choose a round total for each matchup and set a price for the Over and Under, which are determined by the implied probability that a fight will reach or exceed that value.
MMA betting is more volatile than most other sports, as favorites can fall much more frequently and unexpectedly. As such, it’s critical for bettors to develop a disciplined strategy and stick to a budget. Moreover, they should avoid making emotional bets and only place wagers on fights in which they’re confident of winning. By following these tips, bettors can minimize their losses and maximize their profits. In addition, they should always read the fine print and understand that MMA betting is an inherently risky activity.