Betting on mma can be intimidating for new sports bettors. But, if you understand the odds and research fighters and their styles, wagering on an MMA bout can be as lucrative as betting on football or basketball. MMA betting involves a variety of wager types, from picking the outright winner to predicting the method of victory or the duration of the fight. In addition, MMA is a sport in which the number of athletes involved is typically limited to two, making it easier for bettors to analyze each fighter’s strengths and weaknesses.
MMA betting is similar to boxing in that bettors place wagers on which fighter will win a particular match. While picking the winner of a fight is the most popular type of MMA betting, bettors also have the option to make prop bets and futures bets on a particular bout. Prop bets are wagers on specific events that occur during a fight, including the first knockdown or submission maneuver attempted. The most common MMA prop bets are based on the method of victory. Depending on the style of each fighter, a KO or TKO bet can pay off huge amounts of money if the wager is correct.
One of the biggest mistakes that MMA bettors make is comparing opponents when placing bets on a fight. While this may seem like an easy task, it can mislead bettors and distract from studying the opponents’ records and skill sets. Often times, a fighter’s losses will come from closely contested fights, while their wins have been achieved against inferior opponents. This can lead to a fighter being undervalued by sportsbooks when placing bets on a fight.
Another mistake that bettors sometimes make is comparing the experience level of each fighter. For example, many MMA bettors want to bet on a veteran over an up-and-coming star. While supporting a veteran fighter can be lucrative, it’s important to remember that they often have less experience fighting under pressure. Fighters who compete in MMA are typically required to fight at short notice, which can throw off their preparation and performance levels. In fact, a study of UFC history shows that fighters with less than one month’s preparation have lost 64% of their matches.
Lastly, bettors should always shop for the best odds when placing MMA bets. It’s important to visit multiple online sportsbooks and look at the odds on each fighter. This practice is called line shopping and it’s an integral strategy for aspiring sharp bettors. By shopping around, a sharp bettor can find a sportsbook that has posted odds on a fight that are undervalued.
It’s also crucial to check the weigh-ins of each fighter before making a bet. Often times, a fighter’s weight can be an indicator of their strength and ability to perform in a fight. A fighter who is overweight can become exhausted quickly and lose the fight, while a fighter who is light on experience may have trouble keeping up with their opponent.