MMA betting is an increasingly popular way to place wagers on mixed martial arts (MMA) fights. The sport has seen an explosion in popularity over the past decade and MMA sportsbooks are taking advantage of the growing demand for this type of bet.
Whether you are betting on an MMA fighter or a major UFC event, knowing what to look for and how to bet can make a big difference in your winnings. There are a few factors that affect MMA odds, including style of fighting, the stances of the fighters, and their past performance.
Physical Comparisons – If you have a good grasp of the combatants’ physical styles, you can predict how each fighter will approach the fight and what tactics they will employ. For example, if one fighter has a more aggressive stance than the other, they will likely be more aggressive from the beginning of the bout and be able to swarm their opponent with punches in the first round.
Weight Classes – Like boxing, MMA has different weight divisions and fighters can easily move up or down in class. As such, bettors should always keep an eye on fighters who are close to missing the cut or who have a difficult time maintaining their weight during training camp.
Knockout Losses – Another factor that can change a fighter’s attitude is a knockout loss. While a devastating KO defeat is unlikely to cause any serious injury, it can have a lasting impact on a fighter’s confidence inside the octagon. It can change their approach and even lead them to lose their edge in the ring, which is bad news for MMA bettors.
The Age of the Fights – Experience and wisdom is often key in sports, but younger fighters are making waves in MMA as well. The UFC has seen a huge increase in the number of younger fighters, and the win percentages for these fighters are significantly higher than those of their older counterparts.
Younger fighters are also more prone to KO losses, and it is a good idea to be aware of this when betting on UFC events.
Over/Under Rounds – This is a popular bet that covers the length of a fight. A bookmaker will set the total rounds for the fight and if you bet over, you win $100 for every round that the match lasts longer than the set amount.
Method of Victory – This is an important MMA betting market that includes the types of knockouts and submission wins a fighter can achieve. The more aggressive a fighter is, the greater chance they have of getting a KO.
Stance – Orthodox and Southpaw stances are both good bets. Depending on the style of fighting, fighters with orthodox or southpaw stances are able to take advantage of their opponents’ defensive tendencies and make them work harder for their victories.
Many of the biggest MMA events have live streamed online and can be viewed from the comfort of your own home or even on your mobile device. Some of these MMA fights can be very popular and have large crowds. The atmosphere of an MMA event can be very exciting and can influence the judges’ decisions.