Mma has exploded in popularity over the last decade and now rivals boxing as the most popular of all combat sports. While the UFC is at the forefront of this movement, MMA betting is available from numerous online and land-based sportsbooks. While some offer a limited selection of wagers, it’s best to find one that offers a wide range of options to maximize your chances of winning.
A key to making smart mma bets is researching fighters thoroughly before placing a wager. Look at their opponents, how many times they’ve fought, and how they won or lost those fights. A deep dive into these details can reveal a fighter’s strengths and weaknesses, giving you the edge needed to make intelligent bets long term.
Another important consideration is a fighter’s current form. A recent win or loss can drastically change a fighter’s odds of success in a given fight. For example, a knockout victory can give a fighter confidence and allow them to relax in the octagon. Conversely, a defeat can cause a fighter to become more cautious, which may negatively impact their performance.
The MMA sport is unlike other sports because of the variety of ways a fight can end. While a boxer can only be KO’d by a single punch, an MMA fighter has several different finishes, including submission holds. This makes it much harder to predict who will win a given fight, especially at the top levels of the sport.
While a moneyline bet is the most common MMA wager, there are also several other types of bets to choose from. Method of Victory bets let you bet on how a fighter will win a fight for higher payouts. You can place a bet on a fighter winning via KO/TKO, Submission, or points. Round bets are similar to method of victory bets, except you bet on the exact round the fight will end in.
Parlays are another great way to increase your profits as you get into MMA betting. These bets combine multiple MMA bet outcomes and require all bets to be correct in order to cash your ticket. This can be risky, but can lead to bigger payouts if your picks are right. It’s important to note, however, that parlays typically carry a lower payout percentage than individual bets. MMA bettors should always check the terms and conditions of each sportsbook before placing a parlay bet.