MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a full-contact sport that blends moves from boxing, karate, Muay Thai, wrestling and judo. It’s a high-impact, fast-paced sport that has grown in popularity over the past two decades and given rise to betting markets around the world. While purists have derided it as a bloodthirsty event devoid of boxing’s grace, MMA has become one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet, and a highly profitable one at that.
Betting on MMA can be fun and lucrative, but it’s important to understand the risk-reward dynamics of this type of wager before you place your money. While MMA matches can be lopsided, one lucky punch can change the outcome of a match. This is why many MMA betting sites offer a variety of bet types, including future and live bets.
One of the most basic MMA bets is a moneyline bet. This bet pays out according to the odds that are posted on each fighter’s chances of winning. The fighter with the higher odds is considered a favorite, while the fighter with the lower odds is considered an underdog. Generally, the favorites will have a plus symbol in front of their odds while underdogs will have a minus symbol in front of theirs.
The best way to increase your profits on MMA bets is by parlaying your bets. However, this strategy also carries more risk than placing individual bets. If you lose one bet in a parlay, your entire ticket will be lost. In addition, it’s essential to choose the right bookmaker and ensure you can make deposits and withdrawals in US dollars.
Prop bets are another great way to increase your profits on MMA betting. These wagers involve predicting specific events during the fight and can be placed on anything from who will score the first knockdown to how the fight will end (by KO, TKO or submission). Many of these prop bets have higher payouts than their standard counterparts, but they should be treated with caution as they often carry greater risk and require precise outcomes.
During the prefight phase, it’s helpful to study a fighter’s previous results and the MMA news surrounding those wins/losses. For example, if a fighter’s losses came in close-fought contests against elite opponents while his or her victories came against inferior competition, that could indicate that the opponent was better prepared for those types of fights. Another factor to consider is the fighters’ stances. For example, orthodox fighters might have an advantage over southpaws because they’re used to defending their own stance in the ring.
You should also study a fighter’s camp and training schedule. Watching a fighter’s camp can give you important insights into their performance in the fight. For instance, if a fighter is going up in weight class, you might notice that they appear slower or that they’re struggling with sparring partners. This information can help you determine if they’re ready to take on the challenge of fighting a larger opponent.