MMA betting is growing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. The sport draws big money at the betting windows, and sports sharps are looking for ways to capitalize on this emerging market. To do this, they’re turning to analytics and research in order to identify the best bets. In addition to analyzing fighters’ striking and grappling statistics, they’re also taking into account factors such as fighter fatigue and the difficulty of making it to the final round.
The most basic type of MMA betting is called the Moneyline bet. This bet is based on the probability that a particular fighter will win a fight by either a knockout or submission. A fighter who is considered the favorite will usually have a minus symbol in front of their odds, while an underdog will have a plus sign in front of their odds. This bet is a good option for new bettors who want to predict which fighter will win a fight, but are not sure how much to invest.
Another popular MMA bet is the Over/Under rounds. This bet is based on the number of rounds a fight will last, and is a fun way to add some variety to your MMA betting. You can place a single bet on this market or use it as an element of a parlay bet, which offers greater payouts.
Method of Victory is another popular MMA betting market, and it’s important to remember that you’re not just betting on which fighter will win the fight. You’re also betting on how exactly they will win the fight, so it’s important to study their style and understand their strengths and weaknesses. For example, a fighter with better striking skills is likely to finish more fights by knockout than one who focuses on ground-and-pound tactics.
In addition to standard bets, you can also make MMA prop bets. These bets are wagers on specific events or aspects of a fight and can range from who will score the first knockdown to how many points a fighter will receive in their scorecard. These bets can be a great way to spice up your MMA betting experience and are available at most top online sportsbooks.
Be sure to avoid blindly betting on your favorite fighters, as this can be a costly mistake. Instead, bet on fighters that have a strong track record in their weight class and analyze the big matchups to see what the best bets are. Also, don’t be afraid to take a chance on an underdog; this is how some of the biggest upsets in UFC history have been made. A perfect example is Matt Serra’s stunning victory over Georges St-Pierre at UFC 4 in 2007.
