MMA Betting – Understanding the Odds
If you’re a fan of mixed martial arts, you probably know that betting on the sport has become an integral part of it. In fact, most MMA content you see references the betting odds of a fight – even the commentators do so as they discuss matchups and hype upcoming rounds. If you’re looking to place a wager on an MMA fight, it’s important to understand how the betting lines are set and the factors that go into creating them.
Mma betting has been growing in popularity over the past few years as more sportsbooks offer lines for MMA matches. However, the sport is still fairly new and has not yet reached the peaks of mainstream sports like football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. This can make a difference in the oddsmakers’ ability to fine-tune the lines. Additionally, the experience level of a typical MMA bettor is less than other sports and this can also affect the way they handicap a fight.
The most common types of MMA betting are moneyline/match bets, over/under bets on how many rounds a fight will last, and parlays. The latter involves placing bets on multiple events in a single fight, and can lead to larger profits if correctly executed.
As with any other type of betting, it’s critical to examine the fighters and their styles before placing a bet. This can help you find value in the MMA betting odds. For example, a fighter with a more powerful style can often beat a fighter with more submission skills. In addition, a fighter’s stance (orthodox or southpaw) can play a role in the fight as well. Southpaw fighters tend to have an advantage versus orthodox fighters because they are not used to defending their own stance.
Another factor to consider is the fighters’ recent performance. If a fighter is coming off a knockout loss, it may cause them to change their fighting style or approach in the next fight. This can be a major factor in the outcome of a fight and is something that bettors should take into consideration when handicapping a matchup.
Another aspect of MMA betting is the Method of Victory prop bets. These are bets on how a fight will end, such as KO/TKO, Submission, or a Judge Decision. The odds on these bets are typically lower than the KO/TKO and Submission bets. For example, a bet on Karl Williams to win by submission would have odds of +500 while Chase Sherman would have odds of +2800. This means that you’d have to bet $100 to win $500 on this type of bet. This is a great option for those who aren’t comfortable with making a bet on the outcome of a round. However, be aware that this type of wager can be risky if the fight goes to the judges or ends in a draw. This is why it’s a good idea to keep funded accounts at several sportsbooks and price shop when placing these bets.