MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a full-contact combat sport that incorporates techniques from various fighting disciplines like boxing, karate, Muay Thai, wrestling, and judo. Despite being ridiculed by purists for its bloodthirsty nature, MMA has become one of the most popular sports in recent years, and as a result, MMA betting has also grown in popularity. However, a simple moneyline wager is not enough to make you a winning MMA bettor – you need to understand how mma odds work and analyze each big matchup carefully to find the best bets.
Mma fights are generally categorized into different weight classes or divisions, and each fighter is assigned odds depending on their experience level, past performances, and current physical condition. Unlike other major sports, MMA fights are usually not a 50/50 proposition, and one lucky punch can completely change the outcome of a match. This volatility makes MMA betting more challenging but also more lucrative.
If you’re interested in making a bet on the next UFC event, look for a mobile betting site that offers an extensive range of MMA betting markets. Ideally, the sportsbook will also feature odds for the upcoming fights early in order to give bettors the opportunity to lock in their wagers. In addition to the fight moneylines, many sites offer Over/Under round totals and a’method of victory’ bet that lets you place a bet on how the fight will end – whether it’ll be via KO/TKO, submission, or judge decision.
Over/Under Round Totals
Betting on the Over/Under rounds for MMA matches is similar to that of other sports. Oddsmakers will set the Over/Under for a specific number of rounds based on the expected duration of the fight and the styles of the two fighters. The higher the Over/Under, the more money you’ll win if your bet wins.
Method of Victory
The method of victory for a MMA bout is a key element to consider when placing a bet on a specific match. Aside from the traditional KO/TKO and submission, you can bet on how the fight will end in terms of a disqualification or judge’s decision. The most common way to make this bet is by choosing a specific round that you think the fight will end in, such as the first or second round.
Another factor to consider is the history of a fighter’s performance in specific rounds. For example, fighters who are coming off a KO loss can be more cautious in their approach inside the octagon, leading to a longer fight than expected. This is something to keep in mind when capping fighters that struggle to make the weight limit for a fight. They may have to starve themselves and undergo drastic measures to avoid missing the mark at the weigh-in, which can lead to them being drained by the time the fight begins. This could impact their chances of performing well in the opening rounds.