Betting on MMA is growing in popularity as more sportsbooks offer a safe, secure and user-friendly platform. Some even offer first-bet insurance and odds boosts. It is important to know your local laws and regulations before betting on MMA fights, however. Legality varies by state and country, so check your local sports betting laws before placing any wagers.
The MMA betting market is similar to the one for other popular sports. Oddsmakers set an Over/Under total based on expected number of rounds the bout will last and add a vig (or juice) to determine the overall price. The vig will vary depending on the sportsbook, so be sure to shop around before making your wagers.
A big mistake MMA bettors make is placing large bets on heavy favorites. Favorites win more often than not, but upsets are also common in MMA. The key to winning is to place smaller bets and to have technical insight into fighters’ fighting styles and how they contrast with each other. This will allow you to spot potential betting opportunities and take advantage of them.
Another way to increase your MMA betting profits is by parlaying bets. A parlay is a single bet that combines multiple individual wagers for a larger payout. For example, a bet on Henry Cejudo (+200) over Gregor Gillespie -500) would payout $260. A parlay bet is a great way to increase your chances of hitting a jackpot while still keeping your bankroll safe.
In addition to the standard Over/Under MMA betting lines, there are a variety of other prop bets. Method of victory props let bettors choose how they expect a fighter to win the fight, such as by KO/TKO, submission or points. Round props are similar to Over/Under in that they allow bettors to predict how many rounds the fight will last, with higher payouts for overs.
Pay attention to the weigh-ins of both fighters before placing a bet. A fighter who suffers extreme dehydration during a weight cut may not be as effective inside the octagon. This is especially true for fighters who are moving up or down in weight classes as they will be adjusting to their new competition.
MMA bettors should also pay attention to a fighter’s performance in previous fights against foes from the same weight class. Many MMA bettors like to do what is known as “MMA Math,” meaning they compare a fighter’s record against opponents from the same weight class and assume that if FIGHTER A beats FIGHTER B, then FIGHTER A should also beat FIGHTER C. This line of thinking is flawed and can divert bettors away from studying fighter film and handicapping styles.
In-play MMA betting is a great way to place wagers during a live fight. Unlike pre-fight betting, odds will change over the course of a fight based on real-time action. Live MMA betting is available from most major sportsbooks, and the best online MMA betting sites offer a wide range of in-play markets, including moneyline, over/under, point spreads and total bets. Enhanced MMA parlays are also available at some sportsbooks ahead of highly anticipated bouts, offering bettors significant profit boosts on multi-leg wagers.