MMA or mixed martial arts is a full-contact sport combining techniques from different combat sports and martial arts disciplines. Its athletes use boxing, karate, kickboxing, muay thai, wrestling, jiujitsu and other fighting styles. Although purists have long panned MMA as bloodthirsty and devoid of boxing’s grace, it has grown in popularity and has attracted betting action as well. While there are many bet types for MMA, moneyline bets and Over/Under round bets are the most common.
Unlike football or basketball, there is no team element in MMA fights so the betting odds are based on individual fighters’ performance. As such, bettors should not take the betting odds at face value – they need to understand how these are calculated and consider how one lucky punch can affect the outcome of a fight.
Some MMA fights are lopsided while others have a much more even spread. As a result, betting lines can be misleading for those not familiar with the sport. In order to gain an edge over the bookies, bettors need to study both fighters’ performances and fight film. This will allow them to determine whether a fighter’s record against similar opponents is enough to warrant a wager, and help identify potential value.
Bettors can also place a variety of MMA prop bets and parlays (accumulators) on a given fight. These bets are based on the underlying statistics of the fight and are often offered by the best mma betting sites. These bets are more risky than standard bets but can also provide greater payouts. The key to making successful prop bets is analyzing the matchup and factoring in things like height, reach, stance and style differences between the two fighters.
In addition to MMA prop bets, many online MMA gambling websites offer Over/Under rounds bets, which are bets on how long the fight will last. This is a popular way to increase the excitement of a fight and can add an extra dimension to the bet. Typically, the over/under number is set at 2.5 rounds and bettors place their bets on whether the fight will last longer than this or shorter.
Method of victory bets are another popular MMA betting option and are a great way to spice up a fight without taking too much risk. These bets are placed on how a fighter will win the fight, and can range from knockout to decision to submission. The most important thing when placing these bets is to know your fighters.
Some bettors will try to do what is known as MMA math by looking at a fighter’s past losses and wins within their own weight class. This is a dangerous practice that can lead to faulty analysis and detract from studying fight film and understanding the fighting styles of both fighters. For example, a fighter that has only lost to other fighters that have wrestled from the clinch may not be as effective against a fighter who specializes in submission.
