MMA betting has become an increasingly popular form of wagering on the sport. Unlike traditional team sports, where a fixed schedule exists for the entire year, MMA fights are negotiated and scheduled on an individual basis between each fighting organization (like UFC) and the fighters themselves. This means that bettors can place wagers on upcoming matches at any point during the year, even months in advance. While it might seem confusing at first, MMA betting is actually quite simple when understood properly.
The first step in MMA betting is understanding the basic MMA odds. The odds are posted for every match and tell bettors which fighter is the favorite in a given bout. The favorite will be listed with odds that include a minus sign while the underdog will have positive odds. When betting on MMA, the higher the difference in odds between the two fighters, the more money you will win if you make the correct bet.
In addition to moneyline bets, MMA betting offers many other types of wagers. One of the most common is the method-of-victory prop, which allows bettors to bet on how a specific fighter will win the fight. These bets usually cover KO/TKO, submission, and decision outcomes. Another popular MMA betting option is the Over/Under round totals, which allow bettors to bet on how many rounds the fight will last.
While the Over/Under round totals are a great place to start, bettors should also pay attention to the individual round props. These bets offer a little more flexibility when it comes to the length of a fight and can be much more lucrative than over/under bets on the winner of a particular round.
Another important aspect of MMA betting is analyzing the fighting styles and strategies of each fighter. This includes studying the history of each fighter’s victories and defeats as well as looking at their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, a fighter with a strong boxing game will be better equipped to deal with a more powerful fighter than someone who has never fought in the ring before.
Lastly, MMA bettors should also look at the judging criteria for each particular bout. For example, in a split decision, the judges will score the fight for different percentages of the three possible outcomes (majority decision, majority decision, and a tie). The betting lines will reflect the expected outcome and will vary according to each judge’s preferences.
The best MMA betting sites will have a wide variety of betting options and markets, including the basics like round betting and method-of-victory bets, as well as fun props such as the ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ bet that lets players wager on whether a fight will end in the first or last round. These sites will also offer the opportunity to bet on future fights and matchups as well as live in-game betting. In-game betting is a great way to increase your bankroll while watching the fights, and it can be extremely profitable when done correctly.