MMA betting is a relatively new form of sports betting, but it already accounts for a significant amount of the wagering handle at many online and land based sportsbooks. It’s becoming an increasingly popular sport for those who want to place a bet on the next big fight, and it can offer a variety of outcomes that aren’t available in other forms of gambling.
Betting on MMA has many similarities to betting on boxing, with favorites and underdogs in every match. The simplest bets can center on total rounds and method of victory bets, while more advanced bettors can also make futures bets.
Rounds in MMA are five minutes long, although they can last longer if a fighter is particularly aggressive. This can be a problem for those who bet on a fight to go over or under, since the rounds don’t have a set end time like in other sports.
A 4.5-round fight could result in an over or under bet of 2:30 at DraftKings. That would mean that the fight would need to end a full 4.5 rounds before a winner is declared, which isn’t always the case in MMA. The fight could be stopped at a technical knockout, a submission, or a judge’s decision, among other possibilities.
Whether you’re betting on a UFC or MMA fight, it’s important to read the terms and conditions of your selected bookmaker to get an understanding of how things might change if certain events take place. For example, if a fighter is unable to make weight before a fight, he or she can be disqualified and that could affect your payout.
Another thing to keep in mind when deciding who to bet on is the fighter’s experience. Older fighters may have a history of losing to lesser foes. On the other hand, younger fighters can be more explosive and have shown to have a better win percentage than older opponents in recent years.
Weight classes in MMA are divided into light heavyweight, middleweight, and heavyweight categories. The light heavyweight category is often the most competitive as it contains a wide range of fighters with different strengths and weaknesses.
Weigh-ins are usually scheduled the day before a fight, with those who are close to missing the cut being able to make up for it by bulking up before the weigh-in. This can give them an advantage against smaller foes or those who are weighing in at an overly low weight.
In addition to weight classes, fighters’ ages are also an important factor to consider when placing bets on MMA matches. Younger fighters have been proven to be more explosive and have won six out of eight matches fought in the UFC over the last 8 years, while older opponents have lost 62% of their fights in that same span.
Choosing a winning MMA fighter isn’t easy, but it can be made easier by understanding the basics of the sport. Knowing how to handicap a fight’s style and studying the match film can help you bet more confidently.