MMA betting is an exciting addition to the sport and can be found at a variety of online sportsbooks. These websites offer a wide range of bets on a variety of fights and have an excellent reputation for being safe and secure. Some even feature live betting, which allows bettors to place wagers during a fight as it is happening. The odds for live bets are dynamic and will update over the course of a fight, based on real action taking place inside the cage.
Prop bets are another way to make money when betting on MMA fights. These bets are based on specific events during the fight and can include things like who will score the first knockdown or attempt the first submission maneuver. They can be fun to bet on, but they also come with higher risk and lower payoffs than standard bets on who will win the fight.
It is important to do research before placing a bet on a MMA match. This can include researching fighters’ statistics, such as strikes landed and taken, and making observations from watching previous fights. In addition, it is important to set a realistic budget for gambling and never play beyond your means. This will help prevent you from chasing your losses and may even help you to increase your profits.
One of the most popular MMA betting options is the Method of Victory bet, which is available at many online sportsbooks. The method of victory is a bet on whether a fight will end by KO, TKO or DQ. This bet is very easy to place and can be a good way to win some extra cash during a fight. It is important to keep in mind that the method of victory will depend on each fighter’s fighting style. Grapple and ground fighters who use wrestling techniques will be more likely to force a submission, while strikers with aggressive styles are more likely to win by KO or TKO.
Another MMA betting option is to bet on the Over/Under for round totals, which is a bet on how long the fight will last. This is a great bet to place when the fight looks close and has a lot of interest. The over/under bets usually carry a smaller payout than a bet on a specific winner, but can provide a big return if the fight ends early.
Lastly, it is essential to steer clear of heavy favorites when betting on MMA matches. There are a few reasons why. First, they are often swayed by public opinion and may have little chance of winning the fight. Second, a huge favorite could easily lose the fight with just one mistake or lucky punch by an underdog. Lastly, the average odds of late replacement fighters are much longer than the original fighter’s odds, meaning that they offer poorer returns.
Despite White’s claims, there is no doubt that gambling on MMA is widespread within the sport. ESPN spoke to a dozen people with ties to the sport who agreed to talk anonymously, and they all reported that many fighters, coaches, and managers regularly place bets on MMA fights. While most of these individuals don’t place bets in the hundreds of thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, it is clear that this practice is commonplace and can affect fighters’ performance both in the gym and on the fight card.