MMA betting is a popular pastime for many sports bettors, but the sport can be intimidating to those who are new to wagering. Unlike traditional team sports, where bettors can easily make bets based on their knowledge of the game and its history, mma betting is more complex. That said, there are some basic MMA betting strategies that can help bettors get started.
The most common MMA bet is the moneyline, which allows bettors to place a wager on a specific fighter to win a fight. MMA moneylines are priced according to how likely a fighter is to win, with the favorite carrying odds that include a minus symbol, and the underdog bearing plus symbols. While placing a moneyline bet is the most straightforward type of MMA bet, there are other types of MMA betting that can offer better payouts.
One such option is the Over/Under, which allows bettors to bet on how long a fight will last in terms of rounds. This type of MMA betting is similar to over/under bets on basketball games or baseball games, where bettors can choose if the fight will go over or under a certain number of rounds. The over/under for MMA matches is usually set at 2.5 rounds, and a bet on the over would win if the fight lasted longer than that number of rounds.
Method of victory bets are another popular form of MMA betting. These bets allow bettors to wager on whether a fighter will win by submission, knockout, or decision. Typically, a fighter will win by submission if they are able to put their opponent in a choke or joint lock that prevents them from breathing, while a knockout is a violent knockout that leaves the opponent unconscious. In the case of a decision, the referee will call a winner after a given amount of time has passed during the fight.
Lastly, bettors can also place round props, which are wagers on how a particular round of the fight will end. This type of MMA betting can be lucrative, as the payouts can be significant. Often, these bets are offered for individual rounds, but some sportsbooks can offer props on groupings of rounds as well.
The best MMA betting strategies revolve around studying fight film and handicapping styles. Some fighters perform well against other fighters due to a stylistic matchup, while others struggle with opponents that have similar fighting styles. Taking note of a fighter’s training camp can be helpful as well. For instance, if a fighter is trying to transition to a new weight class and has been working on their strength in that division, that could negatively impact their performance during the fight. In addition, following a fighter’s career can help bettors identify when they are entering a slump. For example, a fighter who has lost three straight fights may be facing an elite-level opponent in their next bout.
