A good MMA betting strategy involves careful research, smart bankroll management, and a deep understanding of the sport’s fighters. It also requires a well-established betting site that offers competitive odds and a wide range of betting options. Fortunately, there are many high-quality MMA sportsbooks online. These sites offer first-bet match bonuses, recurrent promotions (such as odds boosts on individual fighters or entire cards), bet and get promos, and enhanced MMA parlay payouts.
Like other major sports, MMA betting features a variety of betting types, including moneyline bets and prop bets. The latter are wagers on specific aspects of a fight, such as the method of victory or how long the fight will last. While these bets are less likely to pay out, they can add a lot of excitement to your MMA betting experience.
Mma betting is different than traditional sports wagering in that the odds are constantly changing during a fight. This makes it difficult to determine which bets have value and which ones aren’t. Nevertheless, a basic understanding of how to read MMA odds can help you make more informed bets. For example, a favorite will usually be indicated by a minus sign while an underdog will have a plus sign. The larger the number, the more likely a sportsbook believes the underdog will win.
Another important factor to consider when placing MMA bets is how fighters perform during weigh-ins. For example, a fighter that loses weight too quickly during the weigh-in may have difficulty maintaining a healthy body weight for the fight. This can negatively impact their fighting abilities, especially if they aren’t used to cutting that much weight.
Mma fighters also tend to move up and down in weight classes depending on their success and the competition they face. This can have a dramatic effect on how they fight and what kind of record they will have going into a new weight class. For instance, a fighter that has built an impressive resume with losses against elite-level competitors might have trouble making it back to their original weight class if they’re moving down in class.
Lastly, it’s important to look at how a fighter wins in their past fights before betting on their next fight. For example, if a fighter has won by TKO or submission in their previous fights, they are more likely to repeat this winning strategy in their next matchup. On the other hand, if a fighter lost by knockout, they might become more cautious and change their style to avoid being knocked out again.
It’s also worth pointing out that MMA fights aren’t always won by the most popular fighter. In fact, some of the biggest upsets in UFC history have involved underdog fighters defeating well-known superstars. For example, Matt Serra famously defeated Georges St-Pierre in 2007 with a one-punch KO. This is why it’s important to bet on fights with odds above 40% for the favorite. That way, you’ll have a better chance of winning your bets.
