Mixed martial arts is an exciting and growing sport with numerous matches and events drawing large audiences. In fact, MMA is one of the fastest-growing sports for wagering, and it can be a lucrative venture for those willing to put in the work and research. To place the best MMA betting bets, consider factors such as the fighters’ records and fighting styles. It is also important to understand how the odds for a fight are determined and which elements to consider.
In addition to traditional moneylines, MMA betting sites offer a variety of other bet types. These include method of victory bets, round props, and live bets. Method of victory bets are based on how a fighter will win a fight, and can be placed on either KO/TKO, submission, or judge decision (score). The payout for these bets is much higher than the standard moneyline, so they are worth considering.
Another popular bet type in MMA is the over/under total number of rounds in a fight. Oddsmakers set the over/under based on the number of rounds scheduled and the style of each fighter. The over/under also includes a built-in profit margin for the bookmakers, known as vig or juice. Depending on the matchup, the number of rounds, and the style of the fighters, the over/under can range from 2.5 to 5.5 rounds.
Lastly, bettors can make live bets on the fight as it happens. These bets update based on the real-time action taking place, and can result in a big payday for those who have a hunch that a fighter will knock out his opponent to end the fight.
Mma betting can be even more lucrative for those who place parlays, which are bets that combine multiple wagers in a single bet ticket. For example, you can place a bet on Henry Cejudo to beat Gregor Gillespie by KO/TKO and Yancy Medeiros to win by submission in their upcoming bout by placing a parlay bet of $100 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Unlike many other pro sports, MMA betting is not regulated in the United States. This makes it difficult for the UFC and other MMA betting sites to keep track of suspicious line movement ahead of a fight. In the past, this has led to a number of alleged insider bets and a “black market” for betting tips.
Unlike other sports, MMA fights are often conducted in an extremely short time period. As a result, the judging criteria is different from other professional sports. The judges look at a variety of factors including effective striking, grappling, dominance, and aggression. The judges also consider the number of legal strikes landed and illegal ones that could lead to a point deduction in the judge’s opinion. Khabib Nurmagomedov, for instance, lands a lot of takedowns which gives him an advantage in the scoring system.
