When betting on MMA fights, there are several factors to consider including fighter injuries and history, fighting styles, and overall records. Accurately handicapping MMA fights is possible, but it takes time and research to do so. Some of the more common MMA wagers include moneyline/match bets on who will win a fight, over/under bets on the number of rounds a fight will last, and parlays.
Betting on MMA is more popular than ever, but most people are not as knowledgeable about the sport as they are about other sports like football or basketball. This can lead to bettors taking quick tips from friends, listening to talking heads, or choosing their favorite big-name fighter to win. When a lot of public money is coming in on one side of a bet, sportsbooks often move the odds to balance the action. In these situations, picking the underdog can be a smart move.
Besides moneylines and over/under bets, some sportsbooks offer unique MMA betting options like method of victory props and round totals. Method of victory bets are based on the judge’s scoring system which considers effective striking, grappling, dominance, and aggressiveness. Generally, fighters who land significant legal strikes will be awarded points while those who make illegal strikes could be deducted points by the referee. Besides that, the judge will also look at takedowns. For example, Khabib Nurmagomedov landed 21 takedowns in his recent fight with Abel Trujillo and scored many points from this.
Round totals are based on the expected number of rounds a fight will last. Some fights are scheduled for five rounds, while others are scheduled for three or four. Depending on the matchup and style of both fighters, oddsmakers set an Over/Under for the expected number of rounds a fight will go and then assign prices for each. Picking the Over or Under can be a profitable wager, especially when you can find plus values.
Parlays are another popular MMA betting type that can result in higher payouts. Parlays require all of the bets in a parlay to be correct to win. However, parlays can also be more risky than individual bets, so it is important to understand the risks and rewards involved before making a parlay bet.
Lastly, be selective with your MMA betting cards. You should not bet on every card, even if it has a few headliner names or is the “card of the year.” Instead, choose the fights that you have done your research on and feel confident about. This will help you avoid overbetting and losing your bankroll.
