Putting down a wager on a MMA fight is not as easy as it sounds, and there is more to successful betting on mma than just blindly placing a bet on your favorite fighter. MMA betting requires careful statistical analysis combined with your own experience and intuition to understand how each fighter reacts to high-pressure situations and to determine when it is best to pick an underdog for a better payout.
When betting on MMA, there are a number of different bet types available. The most common is a moneyline bet, which is a simple wager on who you think will win the fight. This bet type is available both pre-fight and during the fight itself, thanks to DraftKings’ sponsorship of the UFC’s Fight Clock. This technology allows bettors to place their bets during the fight itself, a unique feature not available with any other online sportsbook.
In addition to standard moneyline bets, MMA also features several other bet types, including method of victory and round props. Method of victory bets allow you to wager on how a fighter will win the fight, with each fighter having their own odds for winning by knockout, submission, or judge decision. For example, a KO bet on Karl Williams might have odds of +2800 while a submission bet on Chase Sherman might have -500 odds.
Another popular MMA betting option is the Over/Under round totals. These bets are based on the expected number of rounds in a fight and offer higher payouts than simply picking a winner. Oddsmakers set the Over/Under prices based on the matchup, fighting styles of each fighter, and how many rounds are scheduled in the fight.
Unlike boxing, where the end of a fight is often obvious, MMA bettors can find value in underdogs because of the wide variety of ways a fighter can win a match. Knockouts are much more common in MMA, but a fighter can also win by submission or an impressive display of wrestling skills. This means that even a fighter who is getting pounded for most of the fight can still come back with a sudden turn of events.
When placing MMA bets, it is important to remember that the sport is newer than most other sports, and the oddsmakers haven’t had much time to establish their lines. This means that a bet placed on an underdog may win more frequently than you might expect, but it isn’t likely to pay off in the long run. It is also important to keep in mind that the odds on MMA fights change throughout the day and week as more money is placed on one fighter or the other. This is why it is recommended to monitor the odds and check them daily. In addition, it is helpful to bookmark the MMA sections of your sportsbook and check them often. This will help you learn the cadence of each site’s odds and be able to predict when they will change.