When betting on MMA fights, bettors can make a variety of wagers including money line bets, parlays (accumulators), over/unders and method of victory bets. Method of victory bets are unique to MMA and predict how the fighter will win a given fight, such as by knockout, submission or a judge decision (score). These bets are very popular and can provide an excellent alternative to placing standard bets on who will win a fight.
Using the information available to you, including a fighter’s history inside of the octagon, will help you determine how to approach these bets. Many people try to do what is called “MMA Math,” which involves comparing the records of opponents and trying to figure out whether or not a particular fighter will win a match based on their past performances. This kind of thinking can be counterproductive to a successful MMA betting strategy as it can draw attention away from studying fight film and handicapping styles.
Another important aspect of mma betting is the understanding that, like other sports, MMA fights can often be won by the underdog. This is especially true when betting on the UFC, where the juice – or commission paid to the sportsbook – can inflate the odds on a favorite. In order to maximize your profits, it is essential to find a high-rated bookmaker that offers the best odds in the market.
In addition to the standard bet types listed above, MMA betting also includes prop bets. These bets offer bettors the opportunity to place wagers on specific events during a fight. These include things such as who will get the first knockdown, attempt the first submission maneuver and more. In MMA, prop bets are usually more profitable than standard bets because they tend to have lower juice and fewer people will be placing bets on them.
Depending on the fighters’ style and the number of rounds scheduled for the fight, oddsmakers will set an Over/Under total for the expected number of rounds in a fight. The Over/Under will then be priced at a premium or vig, which is the amount that the sportsbook charges to take your bet.
Unlike traditional bets on other sports, MMA fights have multiple ways to win, making them more unpredictable than boxing matches. This means that bettors should pay close attention to the fighters’ record and history inside of the octagon when placing their wagers. In addition, they should be aware of the number of times each fighter has been forced to finish a fight early and how their finishing abilities compare to one another. This will help them make more informed decisions about their MMA betting picks. Lastly, bettors should also know that some fighters have a hard time cutting weight between fights and may not have the same level of stamina as their opponents. This could lead to an early finish or a quick KO loss. This will also affect the final betting odds.