MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a combat sport that features a wide variety of fighting techniques. The UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, is the premier MMA promotion and draws huge audiences worldwide for its fights. However, MMA betting is also available for fans of lesser-known promotions like Bellator and the Professional Fighters League.
While betting on MMA matches can be very lucrative, it’s important to research the fights and fighters before making any wagers. Performing research on fight results, fighters’ records and current form can help bettors make better decisions and maximize their potential for winning.
Moneyline MMA bets are the most basic wagering option. These bets involve placing a bet on a specific fighter to win a particular round of the fight. The odds for a moneyline bet are dynamic and will change throughout the fight as the oddsmakers adjust them based on how the contest unfolds. In MMA betting, a favorite is considered more likely to win and will have a minus symbol in front of their moneyline odds, while an underdog has a plus symbol in front of their odds.
Another popular MMA bet is on Method of Victory, where bettors place a wager on what kind of victory will be earned by a fighter in the fight. These bets can be placed on the winner of a single round, an entire fight or a judges’ decision. Judges’ decisions come in three types: unanimous (all three judges award a fighter victory), split and majority. Bettors can also bet on whether a judges’ decision will be a technical knockout, submission or a disqualification.
Adding to the excitement of MMA betting is parlay bets, where multiple bets are combined into one wager and offer a larger payout if all bets win. Parlays can be very profitable, but the risk is higher as a single loss can sink an entire bet. It’s important to choose a trusted sportsbook with competitive odds and ample resources for MMA bettors.
Betting on MMA fights is different from traditional sports betting because of the fighting style involved. Unlike boxing, MMA fights have multiple rounds and can end in a number of ways, including submission, disqualification or knockout. This makes it more challenging to predict the winner of a particular round and can lead to some confusion when betting on MMA fights.
Size is an important factor in a fighter’s ability to dominate their opponents. Bigger fighters can absorb more damage and deliver more powerful strikes, but they may struggle to keep up with speedy strikers in the later rounds. This can lead to unanswered strikes and fatigue in the fighter’s legs and arms.
As a result, bettors should consider fighters’ history of finishing a fight in the final round. In addition, a fighter’s record in the early and middle stages of a fight can also influence their chances of winning. Lastly, bettors should pay attention to how a fighter weighs in before a fight. Fighters who struggle to make their weight class can put themselves in danger by starving, dehydrating and overtraining in an attempt to reach the required weight.