Mma betting offers a fast-paced, high-stakes way for fans to engage with the sport. This wagering experience, which combines the thrill of a spinning back fist with the strategy of sports handicapping, can be rewarding for those who know the rules of the game. However, successful MMA betting requires an understanding of the odds, thorough research and analysis, and sound bankroll management.
MMMA wagering can involve a number of different types of bets, from predicting the winner of a fight to placing a bet on how a fight will end (submission, knockout or decision). In addition, sportsbooks offer over/under total rounds bets and prop bets, which are wagers on specific events in a fight. Parlays, meanwhile, allow bettors to combine multiple bets for a higher potential payout. However, all bets in a parlay must win for the bet to pay out.
Moneyline bets are the simplest form of MMA betting. These wagers are based on the likelihood that a particular fighter will win the fight and are assigned odds that reflect the payout potential. Favorites are indicated by a minus sign (-) and underdogs by a plus sign (+).
Oddsmakers also set an over/under total for the number of rounds in a fight, and bettors can place wagers on whether the fight will last longer than (over) or shorter than (under) that number. This bet type is popular with MMA fans, but it can be tricky to assess because of the sport’s dynamic nature and changing rules.
Many MMA bettors rely on what is known as “MMA math.” This means that they look at a fighter’s record against other fighters in the same weight class and assume that any losses are related to their current foe. This thinking is flawed and takes the focus away from understanding fighting styles and analyzing fight film.
Lastly, MMA bettors can make futures and live bets. These wagers are on events that will take place in the future and typically carry attractive odds. For example, a bet on Francis Ngannou to retain his heavyweight title is likely to pay out if you are right.
MMA is unlike other combat sports in that there is no fixed schedule for the year. As a result, MMA futures and live bets are available for only certain dates and fights. This can be frustrating for some MMA bettors, especially when a fighter pulls out of a scheduled fight at the last minute. For this reason, it is advisable to check the upcoming fight calendar before making any futures or live bets. Also, be sure to check the fighter’s previous performance before placing a futures or live bet. This is important because a bad performance can change the odds of a bet. The same goes for a fighter with a bad loss streak or other negative news that could affect the outcome of a wager.