Mixed martial arts is one of the most popular and exciting sports to wager on. A destructive punch to the liver or a tight rear-naked choke can stop a fight in seconds, and it’s because of this unpredictability that makes mma betting so fun. This is why it is important for bettors to analyze a fighter’s style and track his or her record in order to make informed betting decisions.
The most common MMA betting type is the Money Line bet, which is a bet on a specific fighter to win the fight. Mma betting odds showcase how much a bettor can profit for a $100 wager on the fighter, with positive numbers indicating that the fighter is expected to win and negative numbers showing the amount of risk associated with the bet. In addition to the Money Line, MMA betting offers over/under bets, method of victory bets, parlays (accumulators) and in-play betting.
A method of victory bet is a wager on the specific way in which a fighter will win the fight, such as by knockout, submission or judge decision. This bet is commonly available at online mma betting sites and is offered with different odds depending on the fighter’s level of skill and experience. The higher a fighter’s experience is, the better their chances of winning by any method.
Often, bettors make the mistake of comparing the records of two fighters by counting up their wins and losses against each other. This type of “MMA math” can mislead bettors and distract from studying fighter film and understanding their styles. It’s also important to take into account the quality of opponents that a fighter has defeated. It’s likely that a fighter with a pristine record will face stiff competition when he or she moves up in weight classes.
Another common MMA bet is the over/under rounds total, which is a wager on how many rounds the fight will last. These totals are set by the oddsmakers and will change as the fight gets closer to the date. In general, the over/under rounds total will increase as the fight draws closer. This is because the more experience a fighter has, the easier it will be for him or her to adapt throughout the fight and adjust to their opponent’s style.
In addition to the over/under rounds total, bettors can place a bet on the number of specific round in the fight. This bet is usually placed the day of the fight and will shift as the match progresses. It’s important for bettors to note that a fighter who is close to making their required weigh-in can go through extreme measures to avoid missing the cut, including overtraining and dehydrating themselves. This can leave fighters drained for the fight, giving an edge to their smaller foes. In general, over/under bets tend to have a lower payout than the Money Line bet and are not as profitable over time. However, they can still be a great way to get involved with a fight while you wait for the Money Line bets to start paying out.