MMA betting has grown in popularity and is an exciting and profitable way to wager on fights. But there are several things to keep in mind when placing a bet. This article outlines seven tips for making the most of your MMA betting experience.
The most basic MMA bet is a money line, which involves choosing a fighter to win the fight. Favorites will carry a minus symbol in front of their odds, while underdogs will have a plus symbol. These odds are dynamic and will change throughout the fight, based on the actual action taking place.
If you’re looking to increase your payouts, consider parlaying MMA bets. Parlaying multiple bets increases your potential profits, but it also carries more risk since you’ll need to win all of the bets in your parlay to cash out. If you’re unsure how to parlay, consult an expert or read up on the sport before you start betting.
Another popular MMA betting market is the Over/Under Rounds market, which allows you to bet on how many rounds you think a fight will last. This is a fun bet that’s easy to understand and can lead to some big payouts. MMA bouts are usually limited to four rounds, but some are longer due to knockouts or a referee decision.
A great way to find value in MMA betting is by analyzing the fighters’ striking statistics, including their strike accuracy and strikes landed per minute. Oftentimes, the fighter with the best striking abilities will win a majority of their fights. However, it’s important to look at each fighter’s overall record and how they perform in high-pressure situations.
In addition to studying fighters’ striking stats, it’s essential to look at their fighting styles and past performance in MMA. For example, does a fighter tend to win via submission or KO/TKO? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How long have they been in the sport? Using this information, you can create a profile for each fighter and better analyze their chances of winning.
One thing to keep in mind is that MMA isn’t as regulated as other sports, and some fighters and coaches are openly betting on MMA matches. ESPN spoke to a dozen people with ties to the sport who agreed to discuss their betting habits anonymously. Despite this, most said that they placed bets ranging from $20 to a few hundred thousand dollars.
Depending on the number of bets placed and the fighter news that comes out, the odds for an upcoming fight will shift from the time they’re posted until the day of the fight. Some sportsbooks even offer a three-way line on fight odds, including the possibility of a draw. This option is less common, but offers a higher payout than a bet on the winner of the fight. It’s important to find a sportsbook that posts early lines and updates them frequently. This will give you the best chance to lock in your bets before they’re released.