Mma betting has seen huge growth in the last few years as more people become interested in the sport. The many different styles of fighters, entertaining personalities and countless odds-defying underdogs make it a popular choice for those looking to bet on fights. However, betting on MMA can be challenging. Understanding the odds, researching fighters and managing your bankroll are key to successful wagering. In addition to basic bets on the winner of a fight, there are several other types of bets available for the MMA fan. These include Over/Under Round totals, Method of victory and Inplay betting.
The most common MMA bet is the Money Line, which is a single bet on a fighter to win a particular fight. While this is the most common type of bet, MMA betting also offers a variety of other bets including prop bets, parlays (accumulators), over/under and Round Betting. Depending on the matchup, style of fighters and number of rounds scheduled, oddsmakers will set Over/Under Round totals. This bet is based on the expected number of rounds that the fight will go and will have a built-in advantage called vig, which is added to each bet.
In Round Betting, you can place a bet on how many rounds the fight will last and is settled as winner by KO/TKO, submission or Decision. This is a great bet for those who understand how long MMA fights tend to last and have a good knowledge of the fighters’ abilities. A fighter who is a knockout artist will have difficulty in a back and forth war with another stand-up striker. However, if they are fighting an opponent with a wrestling/grappler style, they will likely win more rounds in this type of battle.
When handicapping a fight, it’s important to look at the fighters’ training camp and their previous performances. Observing their weight cutting progress and watching sparring sessions can give you insight into their overall training and mental state. Knowing if they have a tendency to lose focus in the cage or struggle with their opponents’ stances can help you predict how they will perform.
Some bettors will also look for a trend in a fighter’s recent fights. If they have started to show signs of decline – a few less decisive victories or struggles against styles they used to handle well – then it could be time to search for value by betting against them.
Lastly, a savvy betor will always research the fighters’ past performances to identify any trends that may emerge. This will help you to decide if it is worth taking a chance on an underdog or simply sticking with the Money Line. A trend may be a sign that the fighter is beginning to decline and is due for a fall from grace, or it may be a moment of glory when an underdog lands an unlikely upset. Either way, it is a great reason to keep betting the underdogs.
