The sport of MMA is a fast-paced martial arts discipline with many striking, grappling, and submission moves. This makes for an exciting and unpredictable fight card, which can lead to a lot of underdog victories. The trick to betting on MMA is to research fighters’ fighting styles, strengths and weaknesses, as well as their recent opponents. Identifying these factors will help you make more informed decisions and increase your winnings.
In addition to moneyline wagers, MMA sportsbooks offer a variety of other bet types like method of victory and total rounds. The most common of these is the over/under bet, which entails placing a wager on whether or not a specific fighter will win in the number of rounds listed by the sportsbook. This bet type is a great place to start for those new to MMA betting as the plus and minus system is simple once you get the hang of it. Negative numbers indicate a fighter is expected to win, while positive numbers signify underdogs.
Using your knowledge of fighters’ fighting styles and history will also help you make more informed over/under bets. For example, if you notice a fighter has won most of their fights via decision, this is a good indicator that they will continue to win by this method. You can even get more specific with your over/under bets by choosing the exact round in which a fight will end. These bets are more risky than standard over/under bets but the potential payouts can be significant.
Another popular MMA betting option is the prop bet. These bets are made on a variety of different aspects of a fight and can include things such as how many total rounds the fight will last, any point deductions, which fighter will score the first knockdown, and more. Depending on your preference, you can place these bets individually or in parlays with other bets.
Live MMA betting is one of the most exciting and lucrative ways to bet on a fight, as you can make wagers in real time while a fight is taking place. The odds are constantly updating based on what is happening inside the cage, which gives you an edge over pre-fight odds that are often skewed by algorithms and live traders who fail to consider technical aspects of the fight.
Successful MMA betting requires thorough research and analysis of fighters’ records, styles, recent performances, injuries, and weight and reach differences. Props, futures, and parlays are great bet types to try because they can add a level of excitement and a potential big payout to your wagers. Just be sure to read the rules and regulations of each wagering site before placing your bets. For example, some MMA betting sites require all selections in a parlay to be correct for the bet to win. A push will cancel out a leg of the parlay. Moreover, some MMA betting sites only allow bets on individual fights and not on a whole event.