When it comes to betting on MMA matches, bettors have a variety of options. The most basic bet is a moneyline bet, where you choose a fighter to win the fight. Usually, a favorite will have a minus symbol in front of the odds, while an underdog has a plus symbol in front of the odds. Other types of bets include round-by-round bets, method of victory bets, and over/under total rounds bets. MMA betting is becoming increasingly popular, and sharp bettors are looking for ways to maximize their profits.
One of the most common mistakes bettors make is to look at a fighter’s record and match up past opponents. This can lead to a false sense of security and mislead bettors into placing bets that aren’t profitable. The reality is that the vast majority of MMA matches are close, so bettors should focus on handicapping fighting styles and studying fight film.
Another mistake bettors make is to try to do what’s called “MMA math.” They’ll look at the records of two fighters and determine that if one lost to an opponent, then the other must win. This is a flawed logic and it can lead to bettors making bad decisions. It also takes away from the process of studying fight film and handicapping fighters’ fighting styles.
In MMA betting, it’s important to find a sportsbook that offers fair odds. This can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort. A good MMA betting site will have a reputation for offering competitive odds and will offer a variety of promotions to keep bettors happy. In addition, the best MMA betting sites will allow bettors to deposit and withdraw funds quickly.
Unlike other sports, MMA is a fairly new sport, which means that the oddsmakers at sportsbooks have a lot of work to do when it comes to shaping their lines. Other sports have sharp individuals and specialists that help shape the lines, but this isn’t the case for MMA. Consequently, the odds for a particular fighter can change dramatically as the action gets underway.
Another aspect of MMA betting that bettors should be aware of is the possibility for a late weight cut. Sometimes, fighters who are close to missing their weight classes will go through extreme measures to ensure that they make the cut. This can leave them exhausted before the fight even starts, which could give their opponent an edge.
One of the most common MMA bets is on the Over/Under Round totals. The Over/Under total is set based on the number of expected rounds in the fight. Generally, the Under/Under will be lower than the actual number of rounds, as fighters tend to finish the fight early. However, it’s still possible to bet on the Over/Under if you understand the fighters’ styles and know how many rounds a typical MMA match typically lasts.