Mma betting has transformed the sport of mixed martial arts into a dynamic and thrilling experience that allows fans to become active participants in every fight. But MMA wagering isn’t just about picking winners; it also involves understanding the various types of bets available and how to interpret the odds. By incorporating the nuances of MMA betting into your betting strategy, you can maximize your potential payouts.
Unlike the point spread on a football game, which is based on the number of points a team can win by beating another, MMA betting odds are based on a fighter’s chances of winning the fight. In addition to the Money Line, MMA betting offers other bets such as Over/Under rounds and Method of Victory (knockout, submission, or judge decision). These are the basic bets that will yield you the highest returns. For those who want to increase their bet amounts, parleying is an option, where you can place multiple bets on the same bet slip.
Understanding how MMA betting odds work is an important step to making informed decisions on the type of bets you should place. Betting odds display how much a bet can win, per $100 wagered. Odds with a positive number are considered underdogs, while those with a negative number are favorites. Betting on underdogs can yield big rewards, but the risk is higher than placing a bet on a favorite.
One of the most common mistakes bettors make in MMA is doing what’s known as “MMA math.” This is the practice of comparing the records of two fighters and assuming that because one has lost to an opponent that they will defeat their current foe. This is a flawed thought process and can divert your attention away from studying fight film, analyzing style matchups, and handicapping fighters.
Depending on the matchup, the fighters’ styles, and the number of rounds scheduled, oddsmakers will set an Over/Under round total for each fight. They will then calculate the odds of the fight ending within that range. Usually, the Over/Under is rounded up to the nearest half-minute. For example, a fight with a 2.5 round total will have a final round total of 3.25.
ONE Championship events are held monthly and the odds for each fight are released only days before the event. This is why MMA betting odds are often volatile and can shift quickly. Generally speaking, betting lines will increase on the day of the fight, as more people place their bets. Also, MMA odds tend to be more volatile than those of traditional sports like football or baseball. This is because a draw doesn’t happen very often in MMA fights.