MMA betting is a relatively new form of wagering at online and land based sportsbooks. However, it has quickly grown in popularity and accounts for a significant percentage of the overall wagering handle at many sites. The most common types of MMA wagers are moneyline/match bets on who will win a fight, and over/under bets on the number of rounds a fight will last. These bets are similar to the over/under bets that can be placed on football, basketball, or baseball games.
When making MMA betting picks it is important to understand how to read the odds. The underdog’s odds are accompanied by a plus (+) sign and the favorite’s are accompanied by a minus (-) sign. The higher the minus sign, the less likely a sportsbook believes that fighter will win. The odds are also a good indicator of how much action is expected on each bet. If a bet is close to even, there is no reason to place a bet on either side.
Another thing to keep in mind when placing MMA bets is that the sport has multiple weight classes. Fighters often move up or down in weight class based on their level of success, competition, and ability to make the cut. This can have a dramatic effect on how a fighter performs in the octagon. Fighters who are forced to make a quick turnaround between fights may be more tired and lose their edge in the ring. This is especially true if they are coming off a tough knockout loss.
In addition to over/under and moneyline bets, many sportsbooks offer a variety of prop bets for MMA fights. These bets are on specific events that occur during the fight and can be fun to place. These bets can range from which fighter will score the first knockdown or submission maneuver to whether a fight will end in a decision or a KO/TKO.
Method-of-victory bets are also popular MMA wagers and are similar to the prop bets that can be placed on football or basketball games. These bets allow you to choose how a fighter will win the fight, whether it will be by KO/TKO, submission, or by decision. Typically, these bets will have lower odds than the over/under wagers because they are more specific in nature.
Lastly, it is important to remember that a fighter’s style and technique can have an impact on how he or she performs in the octagon. If a fighter has a particular style that plays well against a certain opponent, the oddsmakers will adjust their odds accordingly. This can create great value for those who study a fighter’s history and look at their stylistic matchups when making bets on MMA fights.