Mixed martial arts (MMA) has come a long way since the first Ultimate Fighting Championship debuted in 1993. What began as a raw, bloody spectacle has evolved into a polished sport with professional athletes and a formal rulebook. And as the sport has grown, so too has its popularity among fans and wagerers. Betting on MMA events has become an integral part of UFC culture, with oddsmakers offering a wide range of markets on every fight.
While the majority of MMA betting is placed on individual fights, there are also several unique prop bets available. These bets typically carry higher risk and payoffs, as they require a precise outcome. Among these are the over/under round bets, which are based on the number of rounds a fight is expected to last.
Unlike traditional sports, MMA matches aren’t scheduled to end in a specific round. Instead, non-championship fights typically last three rounds while championship or main event matches are scheduled for five rounds. This makes over/under bets on a fight’s total rounds much more difficult to place. Luckily, the sport’s rules and regulations help fight fans better understand the duration of each bout.
When placing a bet on an MMA fight, it’s important to note the fighter’s weight class and the size of their opponent. These facts will influence the overall fighting style of each fighter, which in turn impacts the fight’s outcome. For example, fighters who are heavy handed or have a hard time grappling with their opponents might struggle to win by submission. In contrast, a fighter who has an outstanding striking performance will have the advantage over their less skilled opponents.
It’s also a good idea to study a fighter’s past performances against each of their foes. Often, bettors attempt to do what’s known as “MMA math” by comparing the records of two fighters. This type of thinking can mislead bettors and distract from studying matchups and analyzing fight film.
Lastly, bettors should always keep an eye on a fighter’s weigh-ins. Fighters who are close to missing the weight limit can go to extreme lengths to make sure they don’t miss, including overtraining and starving themselves. This can leave them drained before the fight even starts and give their opponent an early lead in terms of strength and stamina. Therefore, bettors should always check a fighter’s weigh-in results to ensure they are making the right bets.
Bettors should also be careful to avoid getting swept up in the excitement of a UFC fight and placing more than they planned on a single market. This is especially true in live betting, where the natural ebb and flow of a match can quickly add up and cause a bettor to risk more money than they intended. To mitigate this risk, bettors can use a daily fantasy UFC contest as a safe and legal alternative to traditional sports betting in states without regulated sportsbooks. Daily fantasy sports allow players to compete against other people and win real cash prizes.