There are a variety of bets available in MMA betting, but the most basic is placing a wager on who you think will win the fight. Depending on the matchup, fighters are assigned odds that determine the potential payout for your wager. Understanding these odds is a key step in MMA betting and can help you make informed decisions about which bets to place.
In addition to understanding the odds, it’s also important to study the fighters’ backgrounds and fighting styles. Often, bettors try to do what’s known as “MMA math,” which is based on the logic that a fighter with a better overall record should win. This is a flawed approach that diverts attention away from studying fight film and handicapping styles.
Whether you’re placing a single bet or making an MMA parlay, understanding how odds work is vital to maximizing your profits. Odds are displayed in a moneyline format, with the favorite indicated by a minus sign (-) and the underdog indicated by a plus sign (+). The odds represent how much you’ll win if you bet on the favorite, and they change as the fight draws closer. As such, it’s important to shop around for the best odds and to place bets as soon as possible.
Another common MMA betting option is the Over/Under rounds total, which is a bet on how many rounds the fight will last. Oddsmakers will set the over/under based on the fighters’ styles and the number of rounds scheduled for the fight. The Over/Under bets pay out if the total number of rounds exceeds or falls short of the posted number.
One of the most crucial things to remember when betting on MMA is that no two fighters are alike and that no one can be expected to win every fight. This is a sport of unpredictability, and the most memorable moments in MMA history have been when underdogs defied the odds and shocked the world with upset victories. A legendary example is Holly Holm’s head-kick knockout of Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, which ended the reigning champion’s undefeated streak and delivered a windfall to bettors who had backed the underdog.
A key to making informed MMA bets is following fighters on social media. This allows you to see how they train and what their strengths and weaknesses are. For instance, a fighter coming off a KO loss may become cautious in the octagon, or they may have difficulty cutting weight due to a recent injury or illness. Knowing these factors can give you an edge that sportsbooks don’t have.