Mixed martial arts is a thrilling sport that seamlessly blends striking and grappling techniques from a diverse array of martial art disciplines. Its popularity is rising along with the interest in betting on MMA matches. It can be daunting for a newcomer to the world of mma betting, but it doesn’t have to be. This article will help you navigate the complexities of this unique form of wagering, offering valuable tips and tricks to maximize your winnings.
Before you start betting on MMA fights, it’s important to understand the basics of the odds system. MMA betting odds are presented in a moneyline format, with the favorite indicated by a minus sign (-) and the underdog by a plus sign (+). The odds indicate how much you would win if you bet $100 on a particular fighter. The higher the odds, the more likely you are to make a profit.
Besides the standard wagers like moneylines, parlays (accumulators), and over/unders, there are also a variety of prop bets available for each MMA match. These are bets on specific in-match events, such as the first knockdown or attempted submission maneuver. They are often fun to place and can lead to big payouts if you get them right.
In addition to props, MMA betting sites offer a wide range of future and live bets. While future bets are wagers on the outcome of a specific event, live bets are placed while the fight is taking place. These bets are dynamic and updated based on how the fight unfolds. Successful MMA betting requires a deep understanding of the sport, as well as an ability to interpret and judge fighters based on their style and stats.
One way to find value in MMA betting is to look for underdogs who are making a step up in class against a known, popular fighter. Many UFC bettors don’t follow MMA outside of the UFC pay-per-view and broadcast events, so underdogs who have strong history in other top level organizations can often take advantage of this fact by getting much shorter odds than they should. A good example of this is Holly Holm’s stunning head-kick knockout of Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. The underdog had solid MMA credentials, but many bettors were still unaware of the quality of Holm’s skill set prior to her big win. This led to some nice paydays for bettors who backed the underdog.