There are few sports more unpredictable and exciting than MMA. In a sport where a devastating punch to the liver or a tight rear-naked choke can stop the fight in a matter of seconds, bettors who understand the fighters’ skills and strategies can make some serious money. In this article, we will discuss the most common mma betting types and try to explain some tried and true strategy tips that can help you win more bets than you lose.
The most basic MMA wager is the moneyline bet, which involves picking a fighter to win their fight. The oddsmakers assign a number to each fighter that indicates their probability of winning the fight, with a higher number meaning a larger payout. A fighter’s overall record can also affect their odds, as well as their recent performance against a particular opponent.
In addition to the moneyline, MMA bettors can also place Over/Under rounds and Method of Victory wagers. The Over/Under rounds bet is a simple bet on how many total rounds the fight will last, while the Method of Victory wager predicts how the fight will be won by the fighter selected. These bets are often more profitable than straight bets on a specific outcome, as they allow you to earn a higher return on your investment for a more accurate prediction of the fight’s final result.
When handicapping MMA fights, be careful of making assumptions based on a fighter’s record or past performance. A common mistake among new MMA bettors is to compare the records of two opponents and assume that a fighter with a better overall record should win the fight. This type of thinking is often misguided and distracts from the more important task of analyzing the style differences between the two fighters.
It is also important to consider a fighter’s ability to win a fight by submission or knockout, especially when placing Method of Victory bets. Some fighters struggle to make weight for their fights and must take extreme measures, such as starving themselves and dehydrating themselves, to cut down to their weight class. This can leave them drained and less likely to be successful inside the octagon.
Lastly, it is important to study the fighters’ striking stats when predicting the winner of a fight. Striking stats can include striking accuracy, strikes landed per minute, and strikes absorbed per minute. In addition, a fighter’s stance should be considered as well. For example, southpaw fighters have a natural advantage against orthodox fighters.
In addition to the standard MMA bets, many online sportsbooks offer a variety of other wagering options including prop bets and parlays (accumulators), round bets, over/under rounds, and live betting. The latter is a wager placed during the fight, and the odds are dynamic and change based on how the fight unfolds. Live bets are a great way to add excitement to a MMA wager and can result in large payouts. However, it is important to note that these bets carry a higher risk than traditional wagers.
