MMA has enjoyed dramatic growth in recent years, outpacing boxing to become the most popular of all combat sports. UFC is the main catalyst, hosting televised fights and monthly pay-per-view events that fill some of the biggest stadiums in North America, Europe and Australia. As the sport has grown, so too have wagering opportunities on MMA events. In addition to the moneyline, MMA bettors have many other wagering options like method of victory and total rounds.
Unlike the other major sports, MMA has an extremely high turnover rate. This makes the odds of a bet being correct much harder to predict. Nevertheless, it is possible to make smart bets on MMA matches by studying matchups and learning how to read MMA betting odds. It is also important to know that a fighter’s fighting style can have a significant impact on how long a fight will last.
A common mistake among MMA bettors is to compare the records of fighters when making their picks. This can be misleading and often leads to a misguided thought process known as “MMA Math.” Essentially, a fighter who lost to FIGHTER A is expected to beat FIGHTER B based on the fact that both fighters have competed against the same opponents. In reality, this is rarely the case. Rather, it is better to study fight footage and look at the intangibles that can impact a fight’s outcome.
Another popular MMA wager is the over/under on how many rounds a fight will last. Depending on the matchup and the styles of the fighters, oddsmakers will set an Over/Under total for each fight and assign a price to each side of the bet. The Over/Under price is comprised of the vig (or juice) and the implied probability of the number of rounds being reached.
The best MMA betting sites offer both pre-event and live wagering for MMA fights. These sportsbooks will use geolocation tracking to confirm that you are located within a legal state and can place bets on MMA fights. The live option allows you to bet during the fights, allowing you to be more involved with the action.
Live betting can also be done on MMA prop bets, which are bets on specific aspects of the fight. For example, you can bet on whether a particular fighter will knock out his opponent or not. These bets are updated as the fight progresses, and they can have a huge impact on the final result of the fight.
Lastly, MMA bettors can place parlay bets on multiple fighters in a single fight. While this type of wager isn’t as common as it is in other major sports, it can be a great way to boost your winnings and increase your chances of earning a large payout. However, be aware that with each additional leg added to your parlay, the probability of winning the bet decreases. As a result, it is important to balance your bets carefully and only place them on the best possible combinations.
