MMA betting doesn’t have to be a shot in the dark. It can be a calculated, data-driven endeavour that relies on thorough research and analysis of fighters’ styles, records, recent performances, injuries, and even their weight and reach differences. Besides betting on the winner of a fight, bettors can also place prop bets, which are wagers that predict specific details about a fight, such as the exact round in which it will end or whether it will go the distance. In addition, bettors can place parlays, which are accumulator bets that combine multiple selections into a single wager for a larger payout. However, all bets in a parlay must win to pay out. A push drops that leg of the parlay from the winning bet.
The most basic MMA bet is the moneyline, which involves placing a bet on which fighter will win a particular fight. This bet type is generally offered by most sportsbooks, and the odds will reflect how likely a certain fighter is to win. Favorites will usually have a minus symbol in front of their odds, while underdogs will have a plus symbol. The higher the discrepancy in odds, the more likely the favorite is to win.
Another common MMA bet is the over/under rounds, which is a wager on how many rounds a fight will last. The number of rounds will be set by the sportsbook, and you can place a bet on whether the fight will last longer (over) or shorter (under) than that number. In addition, you can make Method of Victory bets, which are wagers on whether a fighter will win by KO/TKO, submission, or decision.
While it is tempting to do what’s known as “MMA math” – comparing a fighter’s record against the records of their opponents and assuming that any given fighter should win by default based on those results – this can be dangerous for your bankroll. Fighters may have strengths and weaknesses that you can’t see just from their record or reputation, and focusing on this type of comparison can take your focus off of studying fight film and handicapping styles.
One of the best ways to find value in a fight is to look for an underdog that’s ready to make a big step up in class. While some fighters can maintain their level for years, others will show signs of decline in later fights with less decisive victories or struggles against styles they have mastered. This is where finding the right underdog can give you a huge edge over your competition.
There are three different types of odds expressions – American, fractional and decimal – and you should be familiar with each before betting. Odds will shift from the moment they open until the fight night, and any fighter news can also change them. It’s also worth noting that the odds will always be different for each fighter, regardless of their record and popularity. This is because each bettor will be putting in a different amount of money and this will have an impact on the payout.