The MMA betting landscape is unique to this particular sport, but it is growing and offers many more bet types than traditional team or individual sports. Understanding the different bets available will help you to make more informed wagers and maximize your chances of winning. While the MMA betting world is a little more complex than a simple money line bet, it doesn’t have to be daunting for those who have a passion for the sport and are willing to dedicate time to research.
Mma odds are determined by sports statisticians and mathematicians, who examine the wider betting market, fighters’ form, weather forecasts, injuries, upcoming fights, and other factors to determine what odds to display on a given matchup. Unlike some other sports, there are no real numbers behind a bet; they are purely an assessment of the probability that something will happen.
A money line bet is the most basic MMA bet and involves placing a bet on who you think will win a fight. The odds that are displayed for each fighter reflect their chances of winning based on the current betting market. A bet on a favorite is almost always negative, but this doesn’t mean you should avoid betting on favorites; they offer the best chance of winning.
Prop bets are another fun way to get involved in MMA betting. These are bets on specific events that can occur in a fight, such as who will score the first knockdown or attempt the first submission maneuver. These bets have much higher payout potential than a standard win/loss bet, but they also require a deeper dive into fighter histories, styles, and training camps.
Rounds Over/Under is another popular MMA bet and is a wager on how many rounds the fight will last. Oddsmakers will set an Over/Under total based on the fighters’ styles and fighting history, as well as the number of rounds scheduled for the fight. The Over/Under is then priced at the vig or juice, which is a percentage of the total bet amount.
Method of Victory is a more unique MMA betting option and is based on the five possible ways a fight can end: knockout, technical knockout, submission, decision, or disqualification. The knockout or technical knockout bets pay out if a fighter is knocked unconscious, while the submission and decision bets depend on a specific result being awarded by the judges at ringside.
Finally, there are future and live bets which are a great way to get more involved in a matchup. Future bets are wagers on events that will occur in the mid to long-term, such as a fighter becoming a champion by a certain date. Mma futures are often priced at a premium but can yield a huge payout if the bet is correct. Live bets are wagers placed during a fight, and the odds change as the action unfolds. This is a great way to capitalize on the most likely upsets.
