MMA Betting

MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a combat sport where competitors fight with a variety of weapons and techniques. The sport is popular worldwide and has been a part of the Olympic games since 1996. The UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, is the biggest promotion in MMA, but there are many others, including Bellator, the Professional Fighters League, and ONE Championship. Betting on MMA matches can be fun and profitable if you follow some simple rules.

One of the most common types of mma betting is moneyline wagers. These bets require the fight to end in a certain round, and they offer better odds than other bet types. However, you should always check the fight’s schedule to make sure the bout isn’t shortened or canceled. If it is, your bet will be refunded.

Another mma betting option is a point spread bet. This type of bet is based on the points awarded to a winner by the judges in a particular round. There are usually three judges in a fight, and each judge can award up to 150 points. A points bet requires a fighter to score at least 100 points in a given round for your bet to win.

Often, a fight’s over/under total is set by oddsmakers based on the matchup, style of the fighters, and how many rounds are scheduled. Unlike boxing, MMA fights are typically scheduled for five rounds.

When putting down an over/under total, be sure to check out the fighters’ records against their opponents. It is important to know which fighters they’ve lost to and won against, but beware of doing what is known as “MMA math.” A lot of bettors make the mistake of comparing past performance numbers between two fighters and assuming that because one of them has beat the other, they should win their upcoming bout. This is a bad idea, as there are personal vendettas, rivalries, and other factors that may be at play that don’t show up in the stat sheets.

Lastly, MMA bettors should consider the injury history of their fighters before placing a bet. Some fighters have a hard time making weight, while others may be recovering from a knockout loss that could change their fighting style or strategy inside the octagon. Also, if fighters are competing in a new weight class for the first time, it can take them some time to adjust and get comfortable.