MMA betting offers an edge for those who take the time to research fighters and understand how the odds system works. Using this knowledge can help bettors win money by placing wagers on the most likely outcome of each fight. However, betting on MMA is not without risk and it’s important to manage your bankroll and recognise when to step away from the betting arena. The key to successful MMA betting is discipline, setting a budget and avoiding emotion.
One of the most basic bets in MMA is the moneyline bet, which is simply a prediction on which fighter will win a specific fight. This bet type is easy to understand and makes use of the plus and minus odds system. A fighter who is listed with minus odds (for example, -200) is considered the favorite of a particular fight, while a fighter who is listed with plus odds (for example, +200) is considered the underdog. The odds for a specific bet can vary based on how many people are placing bets, so it is important to check them often.
Prop bets are also available for MMA fights, and they can include wagers on things like the first knockdown or submission maneuver attempted by a fighter. Similarly, futures bets can be placed on the outcome of a certain matchup well into the future. These types of bets typically offer much higher payouts than traditional MMA betting, and can be a great way to add excitement to a fight.
There are also several different ways to place a bet on a specific fight, including Over/Under round totals. These bets are based on the number of rounds that a match will last, and can be profitable if you’re able to predict the exact round in which a fight will end. Alternatively, you can bet on the Method of Victory, which is a wager on how a specific fighter will win a particular match.
Method of victory bets can be combined into parlays, which are accumulators that increase the pay out on a bet if all events in the bet win. This is a popular choice for UFC fans, but it can be very risky as only one event must fail to pay in order for the whole bet to lose.
Another popular MMA bet is on the Method of Victory itself, which can be a KO/TKO, Submission or Decision. It’s important to remember that a Decision bet is only guaranteed to win if all three judges award the same result. There is a lot of variation in the judging process, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on the overall scorecard of each match and not just individual ring performances. This is especially true if the match is expected to go the distance. In such a case, it’s best to avoid betting on the Decision bet altogether.