Mixed martial arts has grown in popularity in recent years, with a slew of televised cards and monthly pay-per-view events filling some of the biggest sports stadiums around the world. The sport has also made its way into betting markets, with a wide variety of wager types and outcomes available for fans to place bets on each fight. If you are a newcomer to betting on MMA, here’s everything you need to know about making the best bets.
Betting on MMA matches is similar to boxing in many ways, but there are a few key differences that can make a huge difference to your winnings. Firstly, MMA matches are usually shorter than most professional sports events. This means that there are fewer rounds for the fighters to earn points and win their fights. Therefore, if you are betting on a particular fighter, it is a good idea to pay close attention to the number of rounds that the fight will last, as this can have a significant impact on your bets.
In addition to the number of rounds, it is important to consider the fighting styles of each fighter when placing over/under bets on MMA fights. If a match is between two defensive fighters, you can expect it to last longer than a more aggressive fight, so taking the over might be a wise choice. However, if the matchup features two aggressive fighters, it’s likely that the fight will end quicker, and so betting on the under could be a more profitable option.
One of the most popular bets in MMA is on the method of victory. This can be a knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), decision or submission. In order to predict the method of victory, you must pay attention to the fighters’ fighting styles, records, strengths and weaknesses and any injuries or recent performance history.
Another crucial factor to consider when placing MMA bets is the age difference between the fighters involved in the fight. In general, younger fighters are more successful in MMA than older ones. In fact, when two fighters are five or more years apart in age, the younger fighter will prevail 61% of the time.
Aside from the method of victory, another popular UFC bet is on how many rounds the fight will last. Non-championship fights typically last three rounds, while championship and main event fights will normally take place over the full five rounds. The over/under round totals market is a bit more complicated than the simple moneyline bet, as the number of rounds depends on a number of factors including how many fights the fighters have had before and how long each fight has lasted previously.
It is also worth noting that MMA odds are often displayed in a variety of different formats, including American Odds, Fractional and Decimal. This can sometimes cause confusion for bettors, but it’s essential to understand how each odds expression works before placing your MMA bets.