MMA betting can be profitable if you understand the sport and how to handicap it correctly. Unlike other major sports that have been around for decades, MMA is relatively newer, and it can take time for oddsmakers to fine-tune their betting lines for the sport. In some cases, this can create opportunities for you to place a wager that offers better odds than what the public is offering on the fight.
The most common types of MMA wagers are moneyline/match bets on who will win a fight and over/under bets on how many rounds the fight will last. These wagers are similar to those placed on other sports like football and basketball, but with a few differences. For example, in MMA betting, over/under bets on the number of rounds a fight will last can be placed as single wagers or as part of a parlay.
A top MMA betting strategy is to be selective with the bets you make. Many fights have numerous prop bets available, and placing a wager on every bet is not always financially prudent. Instead, focus on bets that you do the most research on and have the highest confidence in. Additionally, be sure to line shop for the best prices on your MMA bets. Price differences may seem small, but they add up over the long run.
Another important consideration for MMA betting is to look at how fighters’ styles matchup. In particular, fighters’ stances — such as orthodox versus southpaw – can often give one fighter an advantage or disadvantage. Similarly, the number of takedowns a fighter has landed can also be a factor in determining how well they will fare against an opponent.
In addition to style matches and round bets, MMA betting can include a variety of other interesting prop bets. Some of these bets are made live during the fight and allow bettors to bet on a specific round or on if a particular fighter will win by knockout, technical knockout, submission, or decision.
In addition to betting on individual fights, MMA bettors can also place parlay bets, which offer higher payouts than placing individual bets on each fight. However, it is important to remember that parlay bets carry a higher level of risk since you must win all the bets in your parlay to cash your ticket.