If you’re a fan of MMA fighting, you might have considered wagering on the sport. However, betting on MMA can be quite different from placing wagers on team sports. The sport is unique in that it involves a lot of hand-to-hand combat and different rules. Therefore, if you’re not used to analyzing fights and making handicaps, mma betting might seem like a foreign concept. However, if you are an experienced sports handicapper, learning to bet on MMA is not as difficult as it might seem.
Moneyline MMA bets are the most basic bet on an MMA fight. These bets are based on the fighters’ odds and usually indicate whether a favorite is expected to win or not. A favorite is usually shown with a plus symbol while an underdog is depicted with a minus sign. In a normal match, the moneyline bet is usually a close call.
Another common MMA betting option is taking the Over/Under for round totals. The Over/Under reflects the number of rounds that a fight will last, with most championship matches being sanctioned to have five rounds. Unlike a regular boxing match, a knockout is not needed for a fighter to win, so bettors should keep this in mind when betting on round totals.
Besides wagering on who will win a particular round, MMA bettors can also place prop bets. These wagers can be on anything from which fighter will get the first knockdown to who will attempt the first submission maneuver. These are fun bets that can lead to some nice payouts if you know what you’re doing. Moreover, some sportsbooks offer futures and live bets on MMA matches. While these bets are not as popular as the traditional moneyline bet, they can still give you a chance to make some big winnings.
Successful MMA betting requires extensive research and knowledge of the game. Aside from the basics, it’s important to follow a fighter’s training camp to pick up valuable information about a match. For example, if a fighter is coming off a devastating KO loss, he may become extra cautious and change his style of fighting in the octagon. This will affect the fight and negatively impact his chances of winning. Likewise, if a fighter is going up or down in weight class, it’s important to observe how he’s performing during the camp. It could be an indicator that he’s struggling to cut weight or may suffer from an injury. In the long run, following a fighter’s camps can help you predict future performance and earn you some serious cash.