MMA betting has grown in popularity with the sport showing huge growth over recent years. However, betting on MMA fights can be very different to other sports as there are several unique factors that can have an impact on the outcome of a match. Using tried and tested strategies can make a significant difference when placing MMA wagers.
Moneyline MMA bets are the most basic type of MMA wager and involve betting on which fighter will win the fight. This is based on the assumption that the winner of the fight will win by either a knockout or submission. A favorite will typically carry a minus symbol in front of their moneyline odds while an underdog will have a plus symbol. MMA point spreads are another popular MMA betting type and work by allowing you to bet on the number of points that a fighter will win by. This is a riskier MMA wager as you need to get the exact number of points correct for the bet to win.
Round over/under bets are a popular UFC betting option and allow you to bet on how long the fight will last. The lines are usually set for 3 rounds, so you can bet on whether the fight will go over or under that number. A round over/under bet on a fighter will pay out if the fight is stopped before that number of rounds or ends by a decision.
In-play MMA betting is available at most sportsbooks, and allows you to bet on a fight in real time. This is more exciting than pre-fight betting and allows you to see the live odds shift as the fight progresses. This can give you an edge over the bookmakers, as they tend to focus more on what is happening in the fight and don’t always consider technical aspects that keen MMA bettors can pick up on.
Researching a fighter’s history is key when placing MMA wagers. Look at how often they fight, who they have fought and how they have performed against that competition. This can help you understand their strengths and weaknesses, and will allow you to predict how they will perform in a specific fight.
Keeping up with a fighter’s training camp is also important. A fighter who is struggling to make weight will be drained in the lead up to a fight, which can have a significant impact on their performance. This is particularly true for fighters who are moving up or down in weight classes, as they may have to undergo extreme measures to make the weight limit such as starving themselves or overtraining. It is therefore important to watch a fighter’s weigh-in and look for any signs that they are not performing at their best.