MMA betting is an exciting and lucrative sports wagering opportunity for those who do their research. Those who place wagers based on their feelings or what they think will happen won’t make much money in the long run. They need to look at the odds and study each fighter’s record, fighting styles, strengths and weaknesses and any injuries or recent performance history before placing their wager.
Moneyline bets are a popular MMA wagering option. These bets are based on the oddsmakers’ estimation of each fighter’s chances of winning a particular fight, and they are listed in positive and negative numbers. A negative number represents a favorite and a positive one an underdog. MMA betting lines often vary, so bettors should take advantage of multiple sportsbooks to get the best odds.
Another type of MMA bet is the over/under, which is a bet on how many rounds a fight will last. These bets do not require specific winners and offer a higher payout than other MMA betting odds. A fight is scored by a panel of judges that are appointed by athletic commissions to score each match. The winner is determined by a judge’s scoring system, which takes into account significant legal strikes landed, dominance, and aggression. A tie is determined by two judges’ scores that are equal, or a split decision by a single judge.
There are several MMA betting props that can be placed, including method of victory, round and time. Method of victory bets allow bettors to select how a fight will end, such as via submission or KO/TKO. These bets offer a more precise payout than other MMA betting odds, but they are also riskier.
A common error among MMA bettors is doing what’s known as “MMA math.” This is where you compare the records of two fighters and try to determine a percentage chance that each will win a fight. This is a mistake because many fighters have similar opponents and it can be misleading.
MMA coaches are always worried about ring rust. It is very easy for a fighter to lose their edge in a short amount of time, and the loss can be devastating. The reason is that MMA is a sport where you can land a lot of damage in just a few seconds.
The perception that MMA betting is rampant and that some fighters and coaches are taking tens of thousands of dollars per fight has led to concern within the community. An ESPN article interviewed a dozen people in the sport who agreed to speak anonymously and most of them said that betting is occurring to an extent, but it’s not out of control. One person said that he’d heard of cases where fighters are being paid more in one bout than they would earn in a year or more, which is worrying to those in the industry.