Betting on MMA matches is an exhilarating way to watch two highly skilled fighters compete inside a cage without the help of teammates or timeouts. But placing a wager on any old fight is no guarantee of winning. There are specific pitfalls that even the most experienced punters can fall into when betting on MMA, and it takes a little extra research to avoid them.
The most basic MMA betting type is the moneyline bet, in which you place a bet on a particular fighter to win the fight. The fighters are ranked according to their chances of winning, which is displayed in the odds as a favorite carrying a minus sign or an underdog with a plus sign. You can also make a more complex bet by betting on method of victory, which includes KO/TKO, submission, or a judge’s decision. In addition, you can also place a parlay bet in which multiple outcomes must occur for your bet to win.
When it comes to mma betting, one of the most important factors is to understand how different fighters’ fighting styles complement each other. This can be accomplished by researching the fighters’ abilities, skill sets, and fighting styles on their league websites as well as their previous fights. Fighters often upload public videos of their training sessions, so it is possible to gain valuable insight on how they will approach their upcoming matchup.
It is also essential to consider the physical condition of the fighters, as well as their level of experience and recent fight history. For example, a veteran fighter can often outlast a younger opponent and take advantage of their inexperience. The opposite is true of a young fighter, who can be overconfident and get caught off guard by an older opponent’s skill and experience. Another consideration is the location of a bout, as travel can have a huge impact on a fighter’s performance. For example, Fabricio Werdum tapped out a gassed-out Cain Velasquez in Mexico City at UFC 188 because Velasquez arrived at the arena without having adequately prepared for the high altitude.
You can also place a variety of MMA prop bets, including over/under rounds, and method of victory. However, these bets generally carry a higher risk and payoff than the more common MMA betting types, such as moneyline bets. Prop bets are also subject to changing odds, so it is best to shop around before making a bet.
In-play MMA betting is a great way to bet on the action as it happens, but you should remember that live odds are set by algorithms and traders who may not have the technical knowledge of keen MMA bettors. This can result in them underestimating a fighter’s chances of winning, or not picking up on subtle technical aspects that only an experienced MMA betor will see. To avoid this, you can create an algorithm that determines each fighter’s probability of winning and compare it to the available odds to find value.
