Betting on MMA fights can be an exciting and rewarding way to engage with the sport. However, it’s important to understand the odds, conduct thorough research on fighters and events, and manage your bankroll responsibly. This article offers a primer on mma betting and provides several tried and tested strategies for placing successful wagers.
MMA is an incredibly dynamic sport, with athletes entering and exiting the octagon on a weekly basis. In addition, the UFC and other MMA organizations host multiple events on a monthly basis. These frequent bouts make MMA an extremely popular sport to bet on. In-play MMA betting, also known as live betting, is an especially compelling way to bet on the sport. Live betting odds are based on real-time data and can be adjusted as the action unfolds. However, live betting odds are often inaccurate and fail to take into account technical aspects of a match that only keen MMA bettors would recognize.
Mma betting odds are typically presented in a moneyline format, with favorites indicated by a minus sign (-) and underdogs indicated by a plus sign (+). The numbers indicate the payout associated with placing a bet on each fighter. Typically, the higher the number, the more you have to bet to win $100. MMA betting odds are also affected by the stance of each fighter. For example, southpaw fighters can gain a significant advantage versus orthodox fighters due to their natural fighting style.
The MMA betting market includes a wide variety of prop bets, which are bets on specific aspects of a fight. These bets can range from predicting the method of victory to predicting how many rounds a fight will last. Mma prop bets can be particularly lucrative for those who understand the intricacies of the sport and are able to identify value opportunities.
Another common MMA betting market involves the Over/Under total for a particular bout. The over/under is set by the sportsbook and reflects the expected number of rounds in a fight. The yes bet will win if the fight reaches the scheduled number of rounds. The no bet will win if the fight is stopped before reaching that number of rounds.
Bettors can also place a bet on the outcome of a particular fight by predicting how many judges will score it either for one fighter or for a split or majority decision. The odds on these bets are generally longer than those for a unanimous decision, as the sportsbooks are assuming a more conservative approach to scoring the fight. The best way to capitalize on a flawed line is to shop around at different sportsbooks, a practice called line shopping, early in the fight, as lines are always shifting from one book to the next.