MMA betting is an emerging sport that’s quickly attracting big money at the sportsbooks. It’s also becoming more popular among seasoned sports bettors who want to make a little extra cash from their wagering habits. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced punter, understanding the basics of MMA betting can help you make a more informed bet and increase your odds of winning.
How MMA Bets Work
The most common type of MMA bet is the moneyline. This is a straight bet on the winner of an upcoming fight. It’s easy to understand and simple to place, so it’s an ideal bet for beginners.
Over/Under bets are another popular option and are based on how many rounds the fight will last. If the Over/Under is 2.5 rounds, you would hope that the fight lasts longer than that amount of time.
There are many different ways to bet on MMA matches. The best way to choose a wager is to do your research and find out what the most popular betting lines are on each fight. You can also check out the various MMA betting sites online.
Choosing an MMA Site
The first step in placing a bet on MMA is to choose a reputable sportsbook with a safe and secure betting platform. Some of the most popular betting sites include Bet365 and William Hill, both of which offer a wide variety of betting options on all the major events.
Wagering on a Favorite
Betting on MMA matches is similar to betting on other sports, in that there’s usually a favorite and an underdog in every match. Generally, the underdog will have a slight edge in the matchup. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, and some fighters who may have the ability to surprise the favorites will win the matchup in the end.
Those who are serious about their MMA wagering should study a fighter’s records carefully and gain technical insight into his fighting style and how it contrasts with that of his opponent. This will help you see past the hype and make smarter bets.
It’s also important to note that many MMA matches feature catchweight bouts. This occurs when a fighter misses the weight cut for his weight class but still agrees to fight the opponent. It’s important to watch out for these fights because they can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of a fight.
Late Weight Cuts and Weigh-ins
MMA bouts are typically split into weight classes, similar to boxing. It’s often the case that fighters struggle to make weight and will go through drastic measures in order to avoid being weighed down. This can include overtraining, starving, and dehydrating themselves in order to get into the weight class required for their bout.
A savvy MMA bettor can take advantage of these circumstances by placing a bet on the underdog at improved odds. This can be a great way to make some extra cash on the sidelines while waiting for the favorite to get off to a slow start.