MMA betting has been on the rise as the sport continues to expand and regulated sports gambling becomes more prevalent. In the world of MMA, gambling and fighting go hand-in-hand and it is rare that a fight analysis or tournament breakdown will not reference betting odds as part of its discussion. The use of these betting lines help fans, whether casual or diehards, better understand the matchups and how each fighter might approach the contest.
The most common MMA betting wagers include moneyline bets on individual fight outcomes, over/under bets on the number of rounds a fight will last and parlays. Those who are familiar with betting on other sports should have no trouble understanding these wagers, as they are very similar to those placed on football and basketball games.
When making a moneyline bet, the bettor selects one fighter to win a fight over another by selecting a positive or negative odds format. Positive odds reflect the amount of profit a punter will make if they bet PS100, while negative odds display the amount of stake needed to turn a profit at PS100.
A key to success in MMA betting is the ability to identify which favorites deserve their status and which underdogs can beat the spread. Taking a deep dive into each fighter’s past results is crucial. Examining how they won and lost can reveal important information about the quality of their opponents. In addition, it is wise to look at the quality of a fighter’s training camp. Following their workouts can reveal if they are working up to speed or if they are dealing with injuries.
Understanding each fighter’s strengths and weaknesses is also important. A fighter who has battled against elite-level competition will be more prepared for a fight than someone who has never been tested. A deeper dive into a fighter’s past fights will show how they tend to win and lose, which can give bettors valuable insight into their upcoming bout.
In addition to the above, bettors should consider factors such as age, reach and stance when placing their MMA wagers. For example, a southpaw fighter might have an advantage over an orthodox fighter because they can easily turn a corner and throw a punch to the face without being seen. This type of tactical movement can be a significant factor in a fight’s outcome and is often reflected in the betting line. Moreover, fighters with longer reach will usually have a distinct edge in a ground game. This can be a big factor when betting on a fight that will be decided by submission or by knockout. For this reason, it is recommended that bettors follow the training camps of each fighter and search for inside the distance (ITD), submission or knockout (KO) MMA bets. These types of bets offer the most exciting and lucrative payouts. However, they can be difficult to place, especially for those who are new to MMA betting.