MMA betting is one of the fastest-growing sports markets at online and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks around the world. The UFC is a huge draw for sports bettors and its massive pay-per-view audience drives the demand for betting odds on MMA fights.
The best way to win MMA bets is to make smart decisions and use the information available in your favor. To help you, we’ve outlined some of the most common mistakes in MMA betting and some of the best MMA gambling tips to help you beat the bookies.
Betting with Emotion
It’s easy to become a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters and to want to wager on them. However, it’s important to stick to statistics and research when placing MMA bets online.
In MMA, there is often a lot of variation in a fight. For example, a fighter may have a bad performance in the first round and then sneak into a submission in the fifth round to win the fight. This is why it’s so important to study a fighter’s history and look for weaknesses that could be exposed by a particular opponent.
Variance is also the biggest factor in determining the odds for an MMA matchup. If a fighter has a poor record against a certain opponent, their price can increase significantly. In contrast, a fighter who has defeated a rival can see their odds decline.
Using the Right Method of Victory
The methods by which a fight ends are also important for determining odds, with knockouts (KO), technical knockouts (TKO), decisions and submissions being most commonly used. Knowing how a fighter has won previous fights can be useful, as well as studying their reach, which is the length of their arm. A longer arm allows a fighter to connect on more strikes without getting too close to an opponent, so bettors should keep this in mind when handicapping MMA odds.
Using the Right Bet Size
Another mistake many bettors make is betting on a favorite simply because they are a favorite. This can lead to a big loss if a fighter loses a fight. Rather, you should bet on an underdog to win the fight, as this is more likely to happen in MMA.
Choosing the Right Sportsbook
The best sportsbook for MMA betting will have an extensive selection of markets. They will offer multiple moneylines and rounds for each fighter, as well as a variety of props to make the odds more interesting.
Parlay Betting is a popular option, as it can allow you to combine several legs to create one big bet at increased odds. It’s a great way to increase your winning percentage and return bigger profits.
Watching MMA events is key to winning MMA bets. MMA is an extremely complex sport and it’s best to watch as many MMA fights as possible to get a better understanding of the sport and the fighters.
In addition, it’s a good idea to watch the weigh-ins the evening before a fight, as this can help you understand the size difference between two fighters. It’s also a great way to learn about the mental side of MMA and how fighters feel before they enter the ring.