MMA betting offers an exciting and lucrative way to wager on fights. The sport has a unique set of rules and fighters with varying skillsets and styles, which makes for an intriguing wagering opportunity. The best MMA betting strategy is one that combines careful research and bankroll management with an understanding of the sport and its fighters. In addition to studying fighters’ past performances, savvy bettors can also look at a fighter’s striking stats and weigh-ins to determine how they may perform on the night of a fight.
The most common type of MMA bet is the moneyline, which involves placing a bet on a specific fighter to win a fight. A fighter’s odds will reflect how likely they are to win, with favorites usually carrying a minus symbol in front of their moneyline odds. Alternatively, you can place a bet on an underdog to win a fight, with the underdog’s odds carrying a plus symbol. In addition to the moneyline, bettors can also place prop bets, parlays (accumulators), and over/under bets on a fight.
Prop bets on a particular occurrence in a fight typically have higher payouts than the overall winner of the fight. These bets can include first blood, which fighter will score the first takedown, and how a fight will end, such as by KO/TKO, submission, or judge decision. Many sportsbooks also offer over/under bets on how many rounds a fight will last, which can pay out big sums if your prediction is accurate.
Another important factor to consider is the condition of a fighter prior to a fight. Often, MMA fighters will struggle to make their designated weight class, and this can affect how they perform inside the octagon. A fighter that has had a long layoff or has recently struggled at making weight may be prone to rushing into a fight too quickly and potentially hurting themselves.
A bet on a fighter’s striking ability can also be a wise choice, as statistics show that a fighter with better striking accuracy wins more than 60% of the time. In addition, it’s a good idea to study a fighter’s past performances and pay attention to how they fared against fighters of a similar skill level.
Finally, MMA bettors should keep in mind that sometimes fighters will withdraw from a fight before it takes place. If this happens, a replacement fighter will be called in to fill the spot. Historically, replacement fighters have won less than 40% of their bouts, which can significantly impact a bet on a fight’s outcome. This is why it’s important for MMA bettors to understand how replacement fighters perform in the octagon and what their chances of winning are before making their bets.