MMA betting is one of the most popular ways to place bets on UFC and other MMA fights. You can place bets on both sides of the fight, and you can win huge payouts if you’re right. The key to successful mma betting is knowing how the sport works and understanding the odds.
Mma is a sport in which combatants fight over three to five rounds, wearing large padded gloves. The goal is to score critical strikes that knock out the opponent or lead to a judges decision in which one fighter has won the fight. The sport is growing in popularity, and it’s no longer uncommon for a sportsbook to offer MMA betting options alongside traditional boxing wagering.
A bettor can bet on the winner of a fight by placing a moneyline bet. These bets can be placed online or in person at a sportsbook. The odds on the moneyline indicate how much a bettor can win for a $100 wager. They are listed in a format that is typically called American odds, but can also be expressed as fractional or decimal odds. Odds will fluctuate throughout the day, based on the action inside the octagon and any fighter news.
Another popular MMA bet is the over/under on the number of rounds a fight will last. This type of bet is similar to a totals bet in football, and it’s easy to place. You can bet over or under the number of rounds a fight will last by selecting either option on the betting board at your favorite sportsbook.
Some MMA bettors like to use what is known as “MMA math” when handicapping a fight. This is a mental calculation that involves looking at a fighter’s record and comparing it to the record of their current opponent. While this can be an effective strategy, it can also mislead bettors and take attention away from studying fight film and understanding the styles of each fighter.
Mma bettors can also place a variety of prop bets, including first blood, and which fighter will have the first takedown. These bets can often pay out within minutes, and are a great way to add excitement to your MMA betting experience.
Lastly, many sportsbooks will offer a DRAW line for MMA fights. While this bet isn’t as popular as betting on which fighter will win, it can offer a higher payout than other bets. However, be aware that a draw rarely occurs in MMA and is unlikely to be reflected in the betting odds for a given fight. For this reason, it’s important to read the odds carefully before placing a DRAW bet. Also, if you’re betting on a DRAW match, you should always bet the Over. This is because the Over bet pays out more than the Under, and the oddsmakers will reflect this in the odds for the Over/Under.