In the world of combat sports, mma betting isn’t just about picking the fighter who will win – it’s about making informed wagers based on fight analysis and data. Understanding how to read MMA odds and how they change with moneyline bets, Over/Under rounds and other market-specific bets is crucial to becoming a profitable MMA bettor.
Mma betting odds showcase how much a bettor can expect to win for their wager per $100, with minus odds representing a loss and plus odds indicating a profit. These odds are set by the bookmakers, and can change based on where the money is coming from. Usually, higher bets on a particular fighter mean the odds will rise, while lower bets will cause the odds to drop.
Oftentimes, a fight’s outcome will depend on how each fighter handles the pressure and how they perform in front of their home crowd. In addition, a competitor’s weight class may affect their performance, especially when competing in a new weight division for the first time.
Moneyline bets are the simplest way to place a wager on a specific fighter’s chances of winning a fight. These bets are determined by comparing the two competitors’ records and the number of times each fighter has beaten their opponents. The oddsmaker then assigns a probability to each contender’s victory, and you can bet on either the favorite or underdog.
Another popular wager is on a round total, which involves placing a bet on the expected length of a specific round in a fight. Depending on the fighters’ styles and how many rounds are scheduled, oddsmakers will then set an Over/Under total that you can place bets on. If you wager on the Over and the fight lasts longer than 2:30 into Round 3, for example, you’ll win the bet.
Round bets can also include a method of victory option, allowing you to wager on whether the fight will end via a knockout, submission or a decision. These bets are more nuanced and require more research into the fighters’ fighting styles, strengths, and weaknesses.
Lastly, a bet on a specific event within the fight can add some excitement to your wagering experience. Mma props, futures and live bets are available for almost anything you can imagine during a fight. These bets are wagers on specific events that can include a knockdown, the first submission maneuver attempted or even if both fighters will touch gloves before the start of the fight.
While it is tempting to bet on a fighter who has the louder entrance music, successful MMMA betting requires thoughtful research and analysis. Look into fighters’ histories, training methods and recent performances. Compare their records against opponents of a similar style to determine how they’ll fare in a given matchup. Oftentimes, one fighter’s ground game or wrestling abilities will outweigh their striking skills. For example, Khabib’s superior grappling skills made him a good bet against Connor McGregor in 2018.