MMA is a growing sport with fans that can be just as passionate about the action inside of the cage as any other sports fan. This makes it an exciting and profitable sport to bet on, with a variety of bet types available for every fight. It is important to understand the ins and outs of MMA betting, as there are several tried-and-true strategies that can lead to successful wagers.
Understanding the odds of a fight is one of the most fundamental things to learn when placing bets on MMA. The odds displayed will showcase how much a bettor can win for each $100 wagered on the outcome of the fight. Generally speaking, if a fighter is listed with minus odds (e.g. -200), that indicates they are the underdog in the fight. A fighter’s odds can change throughout the week as the public weighs in and other factors are taken into consideration.
It’s also important to note the type of odds expression a sportsbook uses as each site will have their own unique way of displaying their odds. The most common odds type used in the United States is American Odds, however, some sportsbooks use Fractional or Decimal odds as well. Regardless of the type of odds used, it’s crucial to understand how they can impact your overall profitability over time.
Another essential factor to consider when betting on MMA is the fighters’ past performances against their opponents. This will give you a better idea of their style and how they match up with an opponent’s. In addition, it will help you understand their strengths and weaknesses in the ring. For example, a fighter with an extensive wrestling background can struggle against someone who is primarily a striker.
The camp a fighter spends in before a fight is crucial as it can have an enormous impact on their performance in the ring. If a fighter is coming off a knockout loss, they may become cautious in the octagon and may not be as aggressive. Similarly, travelling to fight in a different climate can wreak havoc on a fighter as they adjust to the new conditions.
Aside from the moneyline and Over/Under rounds bets, some sportsbooks offer additional MMA betting markets such as Method of Victory and Round bets. A round bet specifies the specific round in which a fight will end, whether by knockout or submission. This bet is more precise than the Over/Under Rounds bet and can yield a larger payout if correctly assessed.
MMA fights have a tendency to go the distance, making them an ideal sport for Round bets. Round bets are less likely to lose than a Moneyline bet, but they still require the bettor to assess the situation and choose a round in which they believe a fight will end. In order to make the best Round bets, it is important to shop around a number of different sportsbooks and to do so as early as possible in the day, which is known as line shopping. This practice will allow you to find a sportsbook that is offering an undervalued line and jump on it before the public catches up.