MMA betting has become one of the fastest growing markets at sportsbooks and online gambling sites. Many fans enjoy wagering on fights from the UFC’s major events to those in minor promotions like Bellator and other international leagues. In addition to traditional moneyline bets, most of the major MMA betting sites offer an extensive range of prop bets and other unique wagering opportunities.
Unlike football and baseball, where bettors have to decide which team or player will win the game, MMA betting involves a much wider range of outcomes for each fight. For example, a fighter can win by a knockout, points, submission or judges’ decision. As a result, MMA betting lines can be quite confusing to understand for those who are new to the sport.
The most popular MMA betting market is on who will win the fight and this is usually determined by comparing a fighter’s head-to-head odds with their opponents. Oddsmakers set these odds by calculating each fighter’s implied probability of winning the fight and then creating a corresponding moneyline. Bettors can place pre-event wagers on these odds or take advantage of in-play betting options during the event.
Other MMA betting markets include the method of victory and round props. In the case of the former, bettors must predict how exactly a fighter will win the fight for a higher payout. For example, if a fighter wins via KO/TKO or submission they will return $350 on a $100 stake while a judges’ decision or points win would only return $300.
Round props are a great way to bet on the number of rounds a fight will last. These wagers can be placed on the Over/Under 3.5 rounds total or on specific rounds. The latter allows bettors to wager on the exact round a fight will end in, for example, the third or fourth. The chances of a fighter winning in the third or fourth are much less than a first or second round victory so this is an excellent wager for those who want to increase their payout potential.
Another important consideration for MMA betting is the fighters’ styles. In the case of a fighter fighting someone with an entirely different style, their chances of winning the fight are very slim. Similarly, a fighter that is known as a knockout specialist would be wise to avoid taking on a points-based fighter in their next fight.
Finally, bettors should keep in mind that a fighter’s record in the past can also impact their odds of winning their next fight. Often, bettors will compare records between fighters in the same weight class and look for situations where one fighter has beaten several of their current opponent’s foes while another has lost to them. If a fighter is coming off a bad loss it can affect their mental state and their chances of bouncing back in the next fight. This is especially true if the fighter suffers a KO loss.