The sport of mixed martial arts has grown in popularity over the last few years. MMA events and fights are now shown worldwide and attract large audiences. The sport offers a variety of betting options and wager types that can lead to great payouts. In this article, we will look at the basics of mma betting and offer tips to help you place your bets successfully.
The first step in mma betting is understanding the weight classes. A fighter’s weight class determines the matchups they will face. For example, a fighter that weighs more than 205 pounds is considered an overclass opponent for a lighter weight class. This means that they will be expected to win more often than a fighter that is underweight in the same weight class.
Once you understand the weight classes, you can make bets based on how a fight will end. You can bet on whether the fight will end by knockout, submission, disqualification, or judge’s decision. In addition, you can also bet on the number of rounds a fight will last. The over/under is a popular bet on MMA matches, and the odds are set based on how many rounds the fight is expected to go. For example, the Nurmagomedov-Ferguson fight has an over/under of 4.5 rounds. If you bet on the over, you would earn a return of $100 for every $100 wagered. The under is a less popular bet, but it can provide lucrative returns.
Unlike most other sports, MMA fights involve high levels of unpredictability. A superior fighter can easily win a fight by submission, and a poorer fighter could suddenly turn around a bad performance and sneak in a knockout victory in the final round. This uncertainty can make the difference between winning and losing a bet.
Another factor that affects MMA betting is the ability of a fighter to strike with accuracy. It is important to analyze a fighter’s striking stats, such as the number of strikes landed and absorbed per minute. Then, you can evaluate their strengths against the weaknesses of their opponents.
When comparing two fighters, it is also helpful to study their age differences. Typically, younger fighters have higher win percentages than older fighters. However, this trend is not always true. This is why it is essential to assess the fighters’ fighting styles and past performances in order to choose wisely.
Finally, it is worth noting that parlay bets can significantly increase your profits when betting on MMA. These bets combine multiple outcomes of a single fight to form one larger bet with higher odds. Nevertheless, parlays come with greater risk because you need to correctly predict all the results of the fight in order to cash your ticket. Fortunately, parlays are available at most online sportsbooks and can be found on a wide variety of MMA fights. Moreover, they can be placed on both upcoming and past fights. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with them.