MMA betting is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with more fighters fighting more often than ever before. With the UFC holding events on a weekly basis and other MMA organizations hosting fights monthly or bi-monthly, there are always MMA fights to bet on. But, before you put your money on the line, it’s important to understand how MMA betting works and the different types of bets that are available.
The most common MMA bet is the money line, which is simply placing a bet on which fighter you think will win a given fight. The odds for each fighter are assigned and determine your potential payout, with favorites having lower odds (shown as a minus sign) and underdogs having higher ones (shown as a plus sign). It’s also worth mentioning that the odds on any bet can change based on public betting patterns, so it’s important to shop around for the best prices.
Aside from the basic money line, MMA bettors can also place wagers on the total number of rounds in a given fight. These bets are set based on the overall style of the two fighters involved, as well as how many total rounds they have scheduled to compete in. In the case of an over/under total, the oddsmakers will set a price for both the Over and Under (along with the vig or juice, which is the cost to bet on the MMA fight).
Oddsmakers will also assign an over/under total for the number of points the judges will award in a given fight. The Over/Under is typically set at a number that the judges believe to be a fair balance between both sides, meaning that any result other than a split or majority decision will lose the bet.
Another popular MMA bet is on the method of victory, which includes KO/TKO, submission and Decision. The odds for these bets are determined by studying the fighters’ styles, records, injuries and recent performances, as well as their reach and weight differences. It’s also a good idea to follow the fighters on social media to get a better feel for their tendencies and to see if they are in training or fighting any medical issues that could affect their performance.
Finally, bettors can also make bets on the exact round in which a fight will end by predicting whether the result will be a KO/TKO, submission or a Decision. These bets are more complex than the other MMA bets, but the payouts can be large if you’re right. They are also a great way to add some excitement to your live MMA betting experience. In addition, you can also place parlays (accumulators) to increase your chances of winning, but all of the selections in a parlay must be correct to win. Otherwise, you’ll receive a push, which will drop that leg of the bet. This is one of the main reasons why it’s so important to be disciplined with your betting.