MMA Betting Basics

MMA Betting Basics

When it comes to mma betting, there are a few things that bettors should keep in mind. First, they need to understand that the sport has a number of different weight classes. Bettors should look at a fighter’s previous results and their opponents to get a better idea of what type of matchup they are facing. For example, a fighter with a lot of victories over elite-level foes will be in a much better position to win than one who has struggled against lower level competition.

MMA fighters fall into specific weight classes and each has a different number of points assigned to them. MMA odds are similar to those for other popular sports, with underdogs shown with a plus (+) sign and favorites shown with a minus (-). The larger the number, the less likely a sportsbook believes the underdog will win the fight. Bettors should also consider how close to their designated weight class a fighter will be at their weigh-ins. Fighters who miss the mark can go to extreme lengths to make up for the difference, including starving and dehydrating themselves.

Another bet type unique to MMA is the method of victory wager, which is placed on how a fighter will win a given fight. There are usually three victory decisions in MMA; knockout, submission and judge decision. For example, a fighter may be offered odds of +300 to win by submission against Chase Sherman. This means that a $100 bet would yield $330 in winnings.

A bet on a fighter’s KO/TKO chances can also yield lucrative returns. However, the KO/TKO bets carry more risk than other types of wagers, since it is difficult to predict when a fighter will lose by submission or a knockout. Bettors should also look at a fighter’s history in this regard, as some styles are more effective at KOing opponents than others.

In addition to the aforementioned bets, MMA betting offers other types of wagers like the over/under and round totals. The over/under is based on how many rounds the fight will last and is typically set by the sportsbook’s oddsmakers. In MMA, over/under bets on defensive fighters can yield higher payouts than on more aggressive fighters because of their slower pace of action.

Parlay bets, which combine multiple bets on different fighters in a single event, can yield bigger returns with fewer risks. But, they should be placed with caution because parlays can add up quickly and are not as safe as placing individual bets on each fighter. It is also important to stay up to date with MMA news, as it can impact the prices of some bets. This is especially true for upcoming bouts, where the bookmakers will adjust their lines to reflect the expectations of fans. Moreover, the popularity of certain fights can create a momentum effect that drives the betting line. If a fight generates a large amount of media attention, it may attract more bettors and result in higher betting lines for the underdogs.