MMA betting isn’t just about guessing who will win a fight; it involves research, data and careful analysis. MMA odds are determined by sports statisticians and mathematicians who look at the larger betting market, fighters’ styles and history, injuries, weather forecasts and more to determine their probability of winning a specific bet. In addition to Money Line bets, MMA betting offers several other wager types including parlays (accumulators) and Over/Under, round bets, and Method of Victory props.
A common mistake MMA bettors make is placing large bets on heavy favorites thinking they’ll get lucky and walk away with a big profit. But this isn’t a sustainable strategy, and you can easily lose more than you wager in the long run. It’s important to set a betting budget and stick to it, while also being aware of your personal risk tolerance. You should also be sure to recognise the signs of problem gambling, and seek help if necessary.
Unlike other sports, MMA has multiple weight classes; this means that fighters will move up and down in class depending on their success and ability to cut weight. While this may not have a direct impact on a fighter’s performance, it can affect their mental state and lead to them becoming more cautious inside the octagon. It’s also worth keeping an eye on their training camps and media appearances to spot any hints of a fighter not feeling fully fit.
When assessing a fight, it’s important to consider the fighters’ style and strengths. A fighter with a strong ground game, for example, will be at a huge advantage versus a striker. Likewise, a southpaw fighter will be at an advantage against orthodox fighters. It’s also a good idea to look at the fighters’ stance, as this can play a key role in their fighting style.
In a similar vein, beware of KO losses when capping fighters. While they won’t suffer a physical injury, knockout losses can damage a fighter mentally and cause them to change their style and approach to the fight. The best way to avoid this is to study a fighter’s career history and pay attention to their form in recent fights, especially when they’ve come off a KO loss.