Betting on MMA fights can be a great way to make money and enjoy the thrill of watching a high-level combat sport. However, it is important to understand the basics of MMA betting before placing your first wager.
MMA is a popular combat sport that has grown in popularity over the past decade. It has become a major moneymaker for sportsbooks and gambling fans alike. Despite this, there are still many mistakes that bettors can make.
1. Beware of betting with emotion
It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions surrounding a particular fighter, and it can be tempting to place bets on them simply because you like their style or are a fan. This isn’t always the best strategy, though; MMA odds are notoriously difficult to set, and it’s not uncommon for favorites to lose during big MMA events.
2. Consider a Parlay Bet
Bettors should look for opportunities to make larger bets and return bigger profits by using a parlay bet. These bets combine several different bets into one, and usually have higher odds than single bets.
3. Use a Moneyline and Over/Under Bet
This is the most common type of bet offered by most online sportsbooks. It involves picking a winner on a moneyline, which is usually based on the total number of rounds that will be fought. In addition, bettors can choose to bet on the over or under total, which is based on the number of rounds that have been expected.
4. Know your fighters
Having an understanding of how fighters fight is crucial to predicting success. It helps you know what to expect from each opponent and how the fight will end. You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with a fighter’s record and history.
5. Watch MMA weigh-ins
It’s not only important to watch the fight weigh-ins, but it’s also critical to understand how fighters perform in the ring. It can help you determine whether a particular fighter is likely to be undersized for their matchup or oversized, and how that may affect the outcome of the fight.
6. Watch MMA news and fight footage
The more you know about your fighters, the better prepared you’ll be to place winning bets on them. This includes studying their past performance against other opponents in their weight class and examining their recent results.
7. Keep your head up and don’t get discouraged by a bad KO loss
The aftermath of a bad knockout loss can be very stressful on a fighter. It can cause them to lose focus and change their approach inside the octagon. This can be especially dangerous for younger fighters who haven’t experienced this kind of defeat yet.
8. Keep an eye on a home octagon advantage
It’s often said that the cheering of a crowd can impact a fighter’s performance in the ring. This isn’t necessarily true for every fight, but it can be an important consideration when betting on a fighter in their home octagon.