MMA betting is an exciting way to make wagers on MMA fights. It’s important to research a fighter’s past fight history, style and strengths and weaknesses before placing bets. This type of research will help you make more educated bets and improve your chances of winning. Using a sportsbook with a good reputation is also important.
The most basic MMA bet is a moneyline wager, where you place a bet on which fighter will win the fight. These bets are easy to place and offer higher payouts than other bet types. However, beware of over-betting as this can quickly drain your bankroll. It’s also recommended to set a budget and stick with it.
Depending on the matchup and styles of the two fighters, oddsmakers will set an Over/Under rounds total for the expected number of rounds that the fight will last. This bet type is popular with MMA fans and can result in large payouts if you hit. The Over/Under round total is calculated by dividing the number of rounds by the number of minutes in a typical MMA bout.
Another common MMA bet is the “Gone in 60 Seconds” prop, where you place a wager on which fighter will win by knockout or submission in less than one minute. This bet type can be very profitable if the fighter you select wins early in the first round. Often, sportsbooks will underestimate the number of takedowns a fighter can land in such a short time frame.
When handicapping a fight, look at a fighter’s history in the weight class you’re betting on. For example, a fighter moving up or down in weight classes is often favored or undervalued based on their ability to cut and maintain the weight limit. In addition, a fighter coming off a devastating KO defeat may become more cautious in the octagon and change their style.
Method of victory props are a unique type of MMA betting that involves choosing which method a fighter will use to win the fight. These bets can pay out big payouts, especially if you choose a fighter who wins by KO or TKO. However, it’s important to research fighters’ training partners and opponents when making these types of bets.
Many MMA bettors will compare the records of fighters and try to find patterns. They will then assume that because FIGHTER A lost to FIGHTER B, they must beat FIGHTER C. This is a flawed thought process that can distract from studying fighters’ styles and studying fight film. In addition, comparing fighters’ records can often be misleading when it comes to predicting their future performance in the octagon.