MMA betting has grown tremendously in recent years. This is due to the many entertaining personalities, different styles of fighting and numerous fights held each year. While it is easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding a particular fighter, it is important for bettors to focus on the matchup and study fight film before making a wager. A few simple tips can help bettors maximize their profits and avoid losing money.
The first thing to consider when placing an MMA bet is the number of rounds expected in the fight. Oddsmakers will set an Over/Under total based on the expected number of rounds and the style of fighting that is expected in the matchup. The Over/Under is then priced at a premium or “vig” that is calculated from the oddsmakers’ implied probability of reaching the total rounds.
A bettor can make an Over/Under bet on any number of rounds in the fight, including the final round. This wager is more volatile than other types of MMA bets, but can be lucrative if correctly placed. Those who wish to place an Over/Under bet on the last round should make sure they shop around to find the best prices on the odds for the fight they are interested in.
Another important consideration when placing a bet on an MMA fight is the method of victory. A bettor can bet on a win by knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), decision or submission. KOs and TKOs are determined by significant legal strikes that are landed in the fight, while decision wins are based on the judge’s opinion of which fighter won the majority of the rounds. Submissions are determined by one fighter controlling the other fighter through a hold or move until the referee calls the fight off.
In addition to betting on individual fights, MMA bettors can also place parlays, which combine multiple bets on various outcomes of a single event. Parlays offer higher payouts than individual bets, but are riskier since all the outcomes must occur to cash a parlay ticket.
Bettors should be aware that the odds for MMA fights can change from the moment they open to the night of the event, so it is important to monitor them closely. It is also worth noting that fighters can suffer from late weight cuts, which can lead to them feeling drained and weakened before the fight even starts. If a fighter is close to missing their weigh-in, they may go through extreme measures to try to stay below their designated weight class, such as overtraining or starving themselves.
MMA fights are generally scheduled for Saturday nights, with the main card consisting of three or more fights. Those who are not located within a state that has legalized sports betting can still make MMA wagers by using a mobile application. These apps are available for both iOS and Android devices, and will require the user to geolocate their phone in order to confirm that they are inside a legal sports betting state. They can then access live odds and betting lines from a variety of online sportsbooks.