MMA Betting Basics

MMA betting is a dynamic and thrilling way to engage with the sport while earning potential payouts. By mastering the various types of bets, conducting thorough research and exercising responsible gambling practices, you can maximise your chances of success. However, it’s also important to remember that mixed martial arts is a combat sport and injuries can happen at any time. To stay safe, bet responsibly and always follow your gambling budget.

Moneyline MMA bets are the most basic form of wagering on a fight, and they feature a set amount of money that you can win if your selection wins. The odds are calculated by comparing the likelihood that a fighter will win to the probability that they will lose, with favorites typically carrying a minus symbol and underdogs carrying a plus symbol. The odds are continuously updated based on the action inside the cage, so they’re a great tool to use as you research fighters and their history in MMA.

In-fight betting allows you to make bets on the outcome of a specific round or even the whole fight. While hedging bets isn’t as effective as it is in traditional sports like baseball and football, MMA offers unique opportunities to capitalize on juicy live odds that the oddsmakers have overlooked. Live betting isn’t as advanced as pre-fight wagering, but it can still provide an exciting and rewarding experience.

Method of victory is another MMA bet option that lets you choose which type of finish you want to see in a fight. Generally, this option involves choosing whether the fight will be won by knockout or submission. You can also get more specific by selecting the kind of judges’ decision you expect – either a unanimous (all three judges score for one fighter), split or majority.

The judging system for MMA is different from other combat sports, and it’s important to look at each fighter’s record in this regard. You’ll want to consider their KO/T win/loss ratio as well as the quality of their opponents. In particular, fighters coming off a KO loss can become overly cautious and lose their edge in the octagon.

The most popular MMA prop bet is the over/under on significant strikes landed. This is a subjective bet that isn’t tied to an individual round or fighter, but instead looks at overall striking damage throughout the fight. A fighter who is able to land a lot of significant strikes can drastically increase their winning potential and is worth considering for this wager.