MMA betting is an exciting new way to place wagers on fights at online and land-based sportsbooks. It is quickly gaining popularity with both casual and serious fans of the sport, and has already become a significant portion of wagering handle at most sportsbooks.
Unlike other sports, there are a number of variables that can influence the outcome of an MMA match. Understanding how those variables affect your betting odds will help you make smarter bets and increase your chances of winning.
Betting on MMA
The world of MMA is filled with a plethora of different bet types, but the most common are moneyline/match bets and over/under bets. These bets are similar to those you might find in other sports, and they are easy to understand if you’re familiar with the basics of sports betting.
Over/Under Bets
MMA over/under bets are based on the anticipated length of a match, ranging from a few rounds to five. These bets are a great way to predict the length of a match, and can help you maximize your returns on a given event.
Parlay Bets
Another type of bet in MMA is a parlay bet, which involves placing a single bet on multiple fighters. This bet is typically offered at a higher price than a single bet on one fighter, and it’s a great way to try to boost your profits by placing larger wagers on a matchup.
Line shopping
The best way to get the most value from your MMA bets is to shop around at different sportsbooks. This is important because there are many different markets in MMA, and oddsmakers have not fully fine-tuned their pricing strategies yet.
Knockout Losses and Mental Damage
Getting knocked out can do much more than leave you with a broken leg, it can also negatively impact a fighter’s mental state, which can impact their ability to perform in the octagon. A knockout loss can drastically change a fighter’s approach and style, and it may be harder for them to return to their winning ways.
In MMA, there are a number of factors that can impact a fighter’s performance in the octagon, including their weight and their experience level. These factors can all affect a fighter’s strength and power and have a significant impact on their win percentage, so it is important to take them into account when making your bets.
How a Fight is Scored
The judges on the cage-side will judge every round of an MMA fight by a 10 point system. The winner of a round is awarded 10 points, while the loser gets 9 or less. The judges look at a number of things to score a round, including effective striking, grappling, dominance, aggressiveness, and defense.
Takedowns
A large part of MMA fighting is grappling and a fighter’s success in this area can often determine their success in the octagon. A fighter who can consistently land takedowns has an advantage in the cage, and can even force their opponent to submit if they do not have the submission strength to defeat them in a straight up knockout.