Mma betting has seen a lot of growth in recent years. This is due to the sport’s many entertaining personalities and different styles of fighting. However, MMA betting can be tricky for those who are not familiar with the sport. The more knowledge you have of the sport, the better chance you have of placing profitable wagers. There are a few things to keep in mind when betting on MMA fights, such as the odds and how to read them.
Odds showcase how much a bettor can win for their wagers, per $100. When a fighter is listed with plus odds (example: +200), they are considered the favorite to win the fight. Those with minus odds (example: -200), are the underdogs. The odds are usually set by sportsbooks and can vary depending on where you bet. This is called line shopping and it is an essential strategy for aspiring sharp bettors.
The most popular MMA betting bets are the moneyline bets on which fighter will win the fight. These bets are generally less dialed in than the more exotic MMA props, but they can still provide some value. Other MMA betting options include over/under rounds, which is a wager on how long the fight will last, and method of victory bets, which allow you to pick whether the winner will be via KO/TKO, submission, or points.
Another important consideration when betting on MMA fights is the fighter’s past results and the quality of their opponents. If a fighter has built up an impressive resume but has never faced elite-level competition, they may struggle to adjust throughout the course of a fight with more experienced foes. This can also apply to fighters who have a few losses on their record, as losing to superior opponents can be harder on a fighter’s psyche than winning to lesser ones.
Lastly, be sure to watch a fighter’s weight cut in the lead up to a fight. This is especially important for fighters who may be close to missing weight at their scheduled weigh-in. If a fighter is forced to lose weight by starving themselves or dehydrating, they can be drained before the fight even begins and this will affect their performance.
Finally, if a fighter’s opponent is ten years older than them, the younger fighter will win 61% of the time. This is because veterans tend to fight smarter and more cautiously, whereas younger fighters are more aggressive. However, be careful as this trend does not hold true for all fights. For example, in some cases older fighters can win in a very controversial manner. This can throw off the line betting totals and make it difficult to find good value. This is why it is always best to shop lines early and often. A great way to do this is to use a reputable online sportsbook that offers a wide range of betting markets. This includes a variety of deposit methods and withdrawal options, as well as state-of-the-art live betting during the fights.