MMA betting is a rapidly growing sport and offers many more betting options than most team sports. Betting on MMA is much more than simply choosing a winner though and requires a deep understanding of the game, its fighters, their styles, recent form, and mental state. In addition to money line bets, there are also wagers on round totals, method of victory, and prop bets like takedown numbers.
The most basic MMA bet is the over/under rounds wager. This bet pays out if the fight lasts at least as long as the number of rounds the bookmakers have set for the bout. The over/under wager does not factor in how the fight ends, such as a knockout, submission, or decision win. This type of wager is especially popular for fights that are expected to go the distance or have a high number of early stoppages.
Mma odds display how much a bettor can expect to win on a wager, usually displayed as a positive number and a negative number. The odds are adjusted from the moment they open until fight night as they factor in current betting action, fan support and any news affecting the fighters. Odds are generally expressed in American odds (plus or minus) but can be converted to decimal or fractional odds if you prefer.
Method of victory bets are another common MMA betting option and can be placed on a specific fighter or the fight as a whole. Often these bets carry large payouts as the outcome is highly unpredictable. There are five ways that a fight can end in MMA, including knockout, technical knockout, submission, decision and disqualification. In some cases, these bets are combined into a single bet.
A KO or TKO bet on a fighter is a good way to make a quick profit on a fight, but these bets should be made cautiously. Knockout losses can severely affect a fighter’s performance and they may become extra cautious inside the octagon. In addition, if a fighter is coming off a KO loss, they may struggle to make weight for the next fight and have a hard time cutting and maintaining their weight.
A lot of MMA bettors place wagers on round totals. These bets pay out if the fight goes over or under the number of rounds that the bookmakers have set for the bout. For example, if you bet on over 2.5 rounds and the fight is stopped three minutes into the third round, your bet will win. However, if the fight is stopped one minute into the third round, your bet will lose. These types of bets are a great way to add excitement and interest to any MMA match. They can also increase the value of your MMA betting experience. The most important thing to remember when placing round total bets is to be realistic about how long a fight will last. This will prevent you from overestimating the rounds or getting carried away with your wagers.