Mixed martial arts (MMA) betting is an increasingly popular form of wagering on professional fights. Many sportsbooks have embraced the sport and offer a variety of MMA betting markets. The sport has come a long way from its early days as an uncensored, freestyle combat sport and has developed into a professional competition. MMA betting is both exciting and profitable, but it’s important to understand the sport before placing any bets on MMA fighters.
MMA Odds Explained
Almost every MMA organization publishes betting odds on its fighters before a fight. These are based on their record against other fighters and how they’ve performed against their opponents inside the weight class that they’re fighting in. The more an opponent has beaten their opponents, the higher the odds will be for them.
The MMA math of comparing the records of two fighters can be a bit misleading for bettors, as there’s plenty of crossover in the opposition between fighters within a given weight class. Some of these wins might have been against inferior opponents, while others could have come in closely contested bouts against elite-level fighters.
This can make a difference in the resulting betting lines and it’s crucial for bettors to know these details before placing bets on their favorite fighter. It’s also worth keeping in mind that the betting public is largely responsible for determining the final price on a fighter, which can produce a significant edge for those who know what they’re doing.
A Knockout Loss Can Devastate a Fighter
A knockout loss can have a huge impact on a fighter, and it’s important to note that fighters who have suffered a big knockout loss in the past may change their style or approach inside the octagon. They’ll be extra cautious and they might have a harder time striking as well as they did before.
It’s also worth noting that some fighters who have lost a big knockout loss in the past can become mentally damaged as well, which can have an effect on their performance in the octagon. This can lead to a poor performance and can be very costly for bettors.
Getting swept Up in the Action
Some bettors can get sucked up into placing bets on a UFC fight without really studying the fighters or the matchup. This can lead to a lot of money being bet on the wrong bets or even losing the entire stake.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from these risks and increase your chances of winning. These include understanding how MMA odds work, reading up on a fighter’s history, studying their performance in past fights and watching the fight film.
You can also choose your odds based on the way the fight will end, which is called the “way of victory”. These can be determined by a knockout, technical knockout, submission or a judge’s decision.
The most important thing to remember when choosing your odds is to bet on a fighter that you feel has a better chance of winning the fight. This is particularly important if you’re betting on an underdog, because they often have a better chance of breaking through and upsetting the odds.