MMA betting has become increasingly popular with fans, who can place wagers on individual fighters and the overall matchup. While the sport hasn’t reached the same astronomical heights as boxing, it is growing rapidly with some of the biggest pay-per-view events in MMA history. A successful MMA betting strategy will combine careful research, smart bankroll management, and a thorough understanding of the rules and fighting styles of the fighters.
In addition to betting on individual fighters, mma bettors can also place wagers on the method of victory. Winning methods can be broadly classified into three categories: KO/TKO/DQ, submission, and decision. A knockout or technical knockout results in a fight ending early, while a fighter who taps out from a choke or joint lock will win by submission. The last type of finish, a decision, results in the judges scoring the fight and giving one fighter a majority, split, or unanimous point score.
When handicapping a fight, bettors should look at both fighters’ overall record, winning streaks, and losses. They should also consider the physical traits of each fighter, such as reach and weight. A longer reach will allow a fighter to keep their opponent at bay with long punches, while a heavier fighter may have more power but less speed.
The most popular bets in MMA are over/under round bets, which predict how many rounds the fight will last. These bets tend to offer greater, and potentially more profitable, odds than other MMA betting markets. In order to make a profit on an over/under round bet, the fight must end before the slated number of rounds is completed.
Another popular MMA betting market is round props, which are bets that predict the round in which the fight will end. These bets can be combined with over/under round bets, and bettors can choose from a range of different rounds to make a bet on. For example, a bettor can bet on the fight to end in the first or second round.
Round props are also a great way to hedge your bets if the favorite gets off to a slow start. If a fighter is having a bad start, the public money will often rush to their opponents at improved odds, which can cause your bets to lose value.
Lastly, a bettor should take note of the weight class of both fighters. Fighters who have to cut a significant amount of weight for a fight are likely to suffer from fatigue and will be more prone to mistakes in the ring. They are also more likely to have trouble making weight on the day of a fight, and could go through drastic measures such as starving themselves or dehydrating to try to make the mark.
Lastly, bettors should watch the weigh-in ceremony to see how both fighters are feeling ahead of the fight. They should also look at the judges’ criteria when choosing a side. These criteria include effective striking, grappling, dominance, and aggressiveness.