MMA Betting

Betting on MMA is a risky business, but it can be profitable if you follow certain basic principles. First, make sure to set a budget and stick to it. Also, be sure to place wagers based on fact and analysis rather than emotion or personal bias. Lastly, be sure to choose a sportsbook with a good customer loyalty program that pays out refunds of losing bets.

Mma betting is a popular form of gambling that has gained popularity in recent years, thanks to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). It is a sport that features multiple weight classes and fighters frequently move up and down in class as they gain experience. This movement can affect a fighter’s ability to cut weight and maintain their performance level in the octagon.

The sport offers many different betting options, including over/under rounds and prop bets. Over/Under rounds bets are a simple way to predict how many rounds a fight will last. Depending on the matchup, style of the fighters, and the number of rounds scheduled, oddsmakers will set an Over/Under value for the expected total number of rounds. The vig or house edge is added to the Over/Under price of the bet, so bettors should always consider this when placing this type of bet.

Prop bets are specific bets on hyper-specific components of a fight, far beyond who will win or lose. Prop bets on MMA matches are available from most major sportsbooks, but some offer better odds than others. The key to finding value in prop bets is to research the fighters and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Watching previous fights and analyzing the fighters’ style can help you to understand how they will perform in the octagon. For example, a striker versus a grappler presents unique betting opportunities.

Winning Method bets are another popular MMA betting option. These bets are placed on how a fight will end, and they broadly fall into three categories: KO/TKO or DQ, submission, and decision. A KO/TKO or DQ bet is a wager that the referee will stop the fight due to strikes. A submission bet is a wager that the fighter will submit to a hold such as a choke or joint lock. A decision bet is a wager that the judges will award one fighter with a victory.

When handicapping a fight, be careful to avoid doing “MMA Math.” This is when you compare a fighter’s record against their current foe’s and assume that because one fighter lost to a fighter that their current opponent beat, they must win by default. This line of thinking can skew your judgement and distract you from studying fight film and assessing the fighters’ styles. In particular, be wary of a fighter coming off a knockout loss. While they may not have sustained a physical injury, the emotional trauma of a KO loss can be long-lasting and cause them to become overly cautious in the octagon. They can also become reliant on gimmicks that are easily countered by their opponents, leading to costly mistakes.