MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a full-combat sport that incorporates techniques from different disciplines such as boxing, karate, Muay Thai, wrestling, and judo. While many purists deride MMA as a bloodthirsty spectacle devoid of boxing’s grace, it’s quickly becoming one of the world’s most popular sports and betting events. MMA betting sites offer a wide range of wagering options including money lines, Over/Under rounds, and method of victory bets.
Mma betting is most common online and in-person at a sportsbook, where bettor can place bets in real time as the fight unfolds. While the best mma betting sites may not have as much of a physical presence, their odds are just as dynamic and can change with fighter news, fan interest, and even weather conditions inside the cage. MMA betting is also available on mobile devices, which are convenient and allow you to bet while watching the fight from the comfort of your home or even your local pub.
While there are many different betting markets for MMA, the most common bets are on fighter money lines and Over/Under round totals. Mma betting sites are also likely to offer a selection of prop bets, parlays (accumulators), and Inplay betting as well. Prop bets are a great way to add some extra excitement to a wager and can give you a better understanding of how the fighters in a fight match up.
In MMA, it’s important to gain technical insight into fighters’ styles and how they contrast with one another in order to make smarter bets. Mma fighting statistics such as striking accuracy and strikes landed per minute are helpful tools when handicapping a fight, and should be considered alongside the fighters’ overall record and the opponents they have won and lost against.
Some MMA betting sites will also offer a ‘Draw’ bet option, which is typically offered for matches where the winner of a fight isn’t clear. The draw bet offers higher payouts than betting on a particular fighter to win, and can be a good way to add some suspense to your MMA betting experience.
Occasionally, fighters withdraw from fights at the last moment and are replaced by a substitute. While this can often be a good thing, the substitution fighter will typically have a lower win percentage than the original opponent and is thus riskier to bet on.
Mma bettors should always consider how a fighter’s stance can affect their ability to perform certain maneuvers. For instance, some MMA fighters are orthodox, while others are southpaw. Similarly, some fighters like to kick their opponents while they are down, but this can get you disqualified in the UFC. In contrast, some MMA fighters are known for their grappling skills and are therefore more effective at placing takedown bets. It’s worth noting that a fight can also end by submission, KO, or TKO, so bettors should always check the rules of the bout before placing any wagers on how a fight will conclude.