MMA betting has seen big growth in recent years, thanks to the sport’s entertaining personalities and different styles of fighting. But to win bets, a thorough understanding of the sport’s rules and fighters’ records is necessary. Here are seven things to consider before placing a bet.
Understand the methods of victory
Method of victory is a key element in MMA betting, as it refers to how a fight will end. There are four options: knockout, technical knockout, decision or submission. Knockout is when a fighter falls unconscious, or at least is unable to defend himself, which usually leads to the referee stopping the fight. Technical knockout is when a fighter’s opponent uses a hold or technique to render the opponent unable to defend himself. A decision is when a fighter is awarded the fight by a judge or the referee. And a submission is when one fighter or their corner surrenders the match by “tapping” (yielding) or throwing in the towel.
Pay attention to the weight cut
Fighters that struggle to make their fight weight can often overtrain, starve and dehydrate themselves before a bout. This can leave them drained and prone to mistakes during the fight, which can give their opponents an advantage. It is also important to keep in mind that a fighter’s record may not be indicative of their ability to perform at a high level on the night of a fight.
Look at a fighter’s stance and style
A fighter’s stance — whether they are an orthodox fighter or southpaw — can have a significant impact on how they perform in a fight. For example, a fighter with poor takedown defense will likely have a difficult time fighting wrestlers and BJJ specialists. Conversely, a fighter with great striking and grappling skills is likely to have more success against opponents with less experience.
Parlay bets
A popular option for MMA betting is parlaying multiple bets into one wager with a higher payout. This can be risky, though, as all bets in a parlay must succeed to cash the entire ticket. Moreover, it is important to research each individual bet before making a parlay.
MMA fights typically feature several prop bets that are unique to the sport. Among them, the over/under and round bets are the most common. The over/under is based on how long the fight is expected to last, while the round bet refers to specific rounds in which the under/over is applicable. These bets require a greater level of research, as the line will fluctuate throughout the course of the fight. The oddsmakers will adjust the number of rounds as the fight progresses to reflect the changing market. They will take into account how much the fighters are engaged in the fight, how quickly they are landing strikes and other factors. The over/under bet is more volatile than other bet types, but it can still yield a substantial payout. This is especially true if you place the bet with an online sportsbook that offers live betting, which allows you to bet on a fight while it’s happening.