A successful MMA betting experience requires extensive research and understanding of the nuances of the sport. It also involves knowing the different types of bets and their potential payouts. Unlike in traditional sports betting, where bettors make money on the team they believe will win a game, MMA betting is based on the outcome of a specific fight. In addition to standard bets like moneyline bets, MMA betting offers additional bet options such as props (or proposition) bets, future bets and even in-play wagering. Prop bets are specific wagers that are based on individual events within the fight, such as who will score the first knockdown or attempt the first submission maneuver. Future bets are wagers on events that will happen in the fight’s mid to long-term future, such as whether Francis Ngannou will remain heavyweight champion until the end of the year.
The most common bet in MMA is the moneyline bet, where bettors select a fighter to win a fight. These bets are typically based on a formula that weighs a fighter’s past performance, injuries, training history, and reach and weight differences. Often, the more established and popular a fighter is, the higher the odds they will carry, which reflects the likelihood of their victory over an underdog.
In addition to moneyline bets, MMA betting also offers over/under rounds and method of victory bets. Over/under round bets are wagers on how many total rounds a fight will last, with the over/under number being set by the bookmakers. Depending on the fighters’ styles, a fight can last for up to five minutes, so these wagers are more volatile than in boxing. Method of victory bets reward risky bettors with potentially large payouts by predicting which way the fight will end, including via submission, decision, or knockout.
For bettors who are seeking a more complex wagering experience, MMA betting offers a wide variety of proposition bets and parlays (accumulators). These bets range from predicting the method of victory to pinpointing the exact round in which a fight will end. They also allow bettors to place wagers on the total number of KOs, TKOs, and disqualifications in a particular fight.
While a successful MMA betting experience is largely dependent on thorough research and analysis of the fighting styles and histories of both fighters, there are some unique pitfalls that can derail even the most seasoned bettors. Among the most common mistakes is overestimating the strength of a favorite. While it is true that the favorite will likely win a fight, the odds reflect this expectation and will offer lower payouts than underdog bets. This is why it’s important to understand the nuances of MMA betting and be willing to take a gamble on underdogs when the value is there. One of the most famous examples is Matt Serra’s upset win over Georges St-Pierre at UFC 69, which sent shockwaves throughout the fight community and delivered windfall profits to bettors who placed their bets on the underdog.