MMA betting involves a wide range of wagers, from picking the outright winner to predicting how the fight will end. Understanding the odds, researching fighters and managing your bankroll are key to making successful bets. MMA betting also offers many different bet types, including moneyline bets, over/under bets, prop bets and parlays.
Unlike football or basketball where bettors can place wagers on individual players, the majority of MMA bets are placed on overall match winners. This is called the fight winner market and the odds of a particular fighter winning are displayed next to their name on the MMA betting odds board. Typically, a fighter who is considered the favorite will have a plus sign in front of their odds while an underdog will carry a minus sign. The bigger the discrepancy in the odds, the higher the favorite.
The most common way to bet on a fight is by placing a moneyline bet. This type of bet is similar to a standard point spread in sports betting. The oddsmakers will assign a number to each team based on their chances of winning. For example, if a bet is on McGregor, the odds will be -270 while Diaz’s odds will be +210. The oddsmakers will then set the amount a bettor can win on each bet.
When placing a bet on an upcoming MMA fight, it is important to study the fighters’ records, styles and recent performances. In addition, it is beneficial to follow a fighter’s training camp to see how they prepare for their bout. Knowing if a fighter is starving themselves or cutting their weight in dangerous ways could help inform your decision to bet against them.
Another thing to consider is a fighter’s history with other opponents in their weight class. Many fans like to do what is known as MMA math, where they compare the record of a fighter to the record of their current opponent. However, this can often mislead bettors by taking attention away from studying fight film and handicapping styles.
Fighters who are coming off of KO losses can lose their edge inside the octagon, especially if they have been damaged mentally from such a devastating defeat. They may become overly cautious or start playing into their opponent’s style, leading to a loss.
Finally, it’s worth noting that MMA fighters tend to move up and down in weight classes depending on their success. Fighting at a lower weight class can be more challenging than fighting at a heavier weight, as some fighters have a harder time cutting down to the required weight limit. This can lead to them showing signs of dehydration or being sluggish at their weigh-ins, which can influence their performance on the fight night. This is why it’s so important to watch a fighter’s weigh-ins closely to spot potential problems.