MMA betting is growing rapidly and offers punters plenty of options for wagering on fights. While there is no one-size-fits-all strategy that guarantees success, a combination of careful research, smart bankroll management and a deep understanding of the sport and its fighters can lead to long-term profits.
The first step in MMA betting is to register at a sportsbook that accepts bets on the sport. A reputable site will offer a variety of bet types, including moneyline bets, point spreads and prop bets. A moneyline bet is a straightforward wager on the winner of a fight, while a point spread involves placing bets on a specific margin of victory. Prop bets, on the other hand, are wagers on a specific aspect of a fight, such as the method of victory or the round in which the fight will end.
A good MMA betting site will provide punters with the ability to track all their wagering activity through a bet slip that shows all open and settled bets. It should also have a range of deposit and withdrawal methods, such as credit and debit cards. Some sites also support prepaid solutions such as Paysafecard, which are ideal for those on a budget.
When placing a bet on a particular fight, it’s important to understand how the judges score the fights. The judges are looking for a combination of different factors, including effective striking (significant legal strikes landed), takedowns and dominance. Khabib Nurmagomedov, for example, scored 21 takedowns in his last fight against Abel Trujillo, which is a clear indication of how dominant he was on the ground.
Another thing to consider is the fighting styles of each fighter. Those with more direct fighting styles are likely to win via KO or TKO, while those that grapple and use wrestling techniques will be more likely to win by submission. Depending on these variables, the oddsmakers will set the Over/Under rounds total for each match and will then add the appropriate amount of vig or juice to the price of the Over bet.
The odds for a fight will change as the action progresses, which can make it challenging to place a winning bet. The best way to avoid this is to do some thorough research before each fight and only bet on a fight you think you can win. Blindly betting on your favorite fighters is not a winning strategy and will quickly deplete your bankroll.
It’s also crucial to be aware of how the fights are scored and how a judge decides a winner. For example, if a fighter scores several takedowns in the first half of the fight, it’s unlikely that they will lose by submission in the second half. This is because the takedowns will give them the momentum to finish the fight on top. A referee can also stop a fight when they feel the opponent is winning by excessive submission holds. In this case, the referee may award a win by KO or TKO.