In MMA betting, you can make bets on who will win a fight. The types of bets available range from money lines to prop bets. Detailed research and analysis is required to make the best bets. This includes analyzing fighters’ styles, records, recent performances, and injuries. It is also important to note how much a fighter weighs and their reach differences.
In addition to a fighter’s record, a bettor should also look at their fighting style and how it might exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. A common cliche in MMA betting is to consider the fighters’ fighting stances – for instance, a southpaw fighter may have an advantage over a orthodox fighter. It is also important to look at a fighter’s overall strength, including striking ability and stamina.
Point spreads in mma betting enable you to place a bet on the underdog, but the payout is less than betting on the money line. This type of MMA bet lowers the payoff on a favorite and should only be placed if you are confident that your selection will win. You can also bet on the number of rounds a fight will last. This is a safer option than wagering on specific rounds, but you will not be paid out if the fight is a draw.
A common mistake among MMA bettors is to do what’s known as “MMA math.” This involves comparing the records of fighters, looking at which opponents they have won and lost against, and then assuming that a similar result will happen in the upcoming fight. This thought process can be misleading and take attention away from studying fighters’ styles and understanding how their skills match up.
Another factor to keep in mind when making MMA bets is that fighters often struggle to make weight for their fights. This can lead to dehydration, which can drastically affect a fighter’s performance. It is important to watch for fighters who seem sluggish, need help standing up, or have any other signs of dehydration before their fights.
Prop bets are bets on specific outcomes within a fight, such as how a fight will end (submission, knockout, or decision). The payouts on these bets can be quite high. Often, these bets will include multiple bets in one parlay, which offers a higher potential payout but requires all of the individual bets to win for the parlay to pay out. It is also important to know that the odds on a prop bet will change from the time they open to when the fight takes place. This is due to changes in the number of people betting on the fight and any relevant fighter news. Odds are typically expressed in either American or fractional format, but you can usually change the way your odds are displayed on a sportsbook. This is particularly helpful for bettors who are unfamiliar with the different odds expressions used around the world.