MMA betting is fast becoming a popular form of wagering on sports events at online and land based sportsbooks. This sport has grown tremendously in popularity over the past several years and is now an important source of revenue for most sportsbooks. However, MMA betting can be risky if you don’t know what you are doing. It is also an exciting form of sports betting and can offer great rewards for those who know how to play it correctly.
Choosing the Right Bets
There are many different bet types available for MMA fights, including bets on how a fighter will win. These bets usually require you to pick one of three victory conditions: knockout, submission, or judge decision (score). A bet on a specific win condition may be more accurate than a moneyline bet and can lead to bigger payouts.
Over/Under Totals for MMA Fights
Depending on the style of fighting involved, oddsmakers often set an Over/Under total for the number of rounds scheduled. This is a type of wager that allows bettors to predict when the fight will end, but it can be risky because the round total is influenced by factors beyond the fighter’s skill level and performance history.
Over/Under for Rounds
MMA rounds last five minutes and are scored on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best score. Taking the Over/Under for round totals is a good option for bettors who like to place high-value bets on MMA fights.
The Striking Styles of MMA Combatants
Unlike boxing, the MMA fighting styles of fighters can vary widely, which makes it more difficult to handicap them. Some fighters may have a stronger striking style than others and this can lead to an advantage over the other fighter. Similarly, some fighters may be more effective in grappling and other fighting styles than others.
A fighter’s stance and positioning can impact their ability to win. Generally, orthodox fighters tend to be more dominant than southpaw fighters. This is because orthodox fighters are more comfortable defending their stance and are used to throwing a wider variety of punches.
The age of a fighter can affect their odds significantly. During the last eight years, younger fighters have prevailed over older fighters in more than 60% of cases when they met in an MMA fight.
Knowing the opponent’s stance can also influence a bettor’s decision on an MMA bet. Having a better understanding of a fighter’s stance can help you determine the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents and give you a better chance to handicap their match ups.
Wagering on Moderate Underdogs
MMA fights have been known to feature a lot of moderate underdogs and these fighters can be an excellent option for bettors looking for value in their betting. These underdogs may be less experienced or have been overlooked by the media and thus have a higher chance of winning.
If you’re a beginner at MMA betting, it is best to start small and work your way up to higher stakes. Once you have a grasp of the sport, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions and increase your chances of a winning streak.