Mixed martial arts is a high-octane sport that seamlessly blends striking and grappling techniques from multiple fighting disciplines. Its popularity has surged worldwide, leading to increased interest in betting on MMA fights at sportsbooks and online. However, betting on MMA matches is more complicated than simply picking a winner. It requires a deeper understanding of the different bet types and how to handicap fighters effectively. In this article, we will explore the basics of mma betting and explain some strategies that can help you win more money.
The most common bet in MMA is the money line, where you place a wager on which fighter will win a particular bout. Oddsmakers use a number of factors to set these odds, including a fighter’s head-to-head record against each other and their opponents, as well as the fighter’s overall fighting experience. However, these factors should be taken with a grain of salt, as every fight is unique and should be evaluated on its own merits.
Besides the money lines, MMA betting also offers several other types of bets, including method of victory and round props. These bets allow you to wager on precisely how a fight will end, with the options falling into three broad categories: knockout/TKO, submission, and decision. A KO or TKO is a clear-cut finish to the fight, while a submission win involves a fighter being choked or otherwise stopped by a joint lock, as opposed to a traditional judges’ decision where the outcome depends on the number of judges who favor one side over the other.
You can also bet on the exact round a fight will end in, with over/unders typically set at a number of rounds ahead of a match. These bets can be lucrative, as a precise prediction of how long a fight will last carries a higher potential payout than betting on who will win the entire fight. Generally, these bets are based on a comparison of the fighters’ styles, with more aggressive fighters often favored to win early and in fewer rounds.
As with boxing, it’s important to keep in mind a fighter’s weight class when making bets on MMA matches. Fighters often move up and down between weight classes depending on their success and competition, and some struggle to make weight before a fight. This can be a big factor in their performance, as they may have to starve themselves or overtrain in order to cut enough weight to make the limit. As a result, they may be drained before the first bell rings and are more susceptible to being knocked out by smaller foes. The best MMA bettors carefully consider these factors and note whether a fighter is coming off of a recent loss, especially a knockout defeat. This can influence their mental state and their approach to the octagon. They will therefore look to fade any favorites that have shown signs of decline.