A once-obscure sport that was billed as “uncensored and unedited,” mixed martial arts (MMA) has grown into a polished, professional spectacle that features highly paid athletes and a formal rulebook. MMA betting has also become an integral part of the sport, with fans regularly placing wagers on their favorite fighters and teams. As a result, it is critical for MMA betting enthusiasts to understand the basics of MMA betting to maximize their profits.
There are a number of different types of MMA betting, but the most common is the Money Line bet. This wager pays out if the fighter you select wins the fight, with payout determined by the odds. Other MMA betting options include Over/Under bets, method of victory bets and in-play betting.
Over/Under bets on MMA fights enable customers to place a wager on how many rounds the match will last, with payouts determined by the Over/Under odds. The Over/Under bet is one of the most popular wagers in MMA betting and can be placed on either a fight outcome or a round-by-round basis. In addition, over/under bets often come with moneylines attached.
Unlike point spreads on football games, which are based on the probability that a team will win, MMA odds are calculated using the expected value of each bet. In order to calculate this, bookmakers consider the likelihood that each bet will win and then divide that by the total number of bets placed on it. The higher the expected value of a bet, the better the odds on that bet are.
Another important factor to consider when laying MMA bets is the fighter’s weight-in performance. A fighter that struggles to make their desired weight may experience extreme dehydration, which can affect his or her performance. For example, if the fighter experiences dehydration, it can reduce the cerebrospinal fluid in his or her brain, making them more susceptible to a knockout.
Those looking to place MMA bets should look for sportsbooks that offer competitive pricing on UFC moneylines and totals, as well as an extensive range of UFC props. In particular, DraftKings offers a solid blend of these categories, as well as a breadth of same game parlays and house parlays. The vigorish on these wagers tends to be around 4%, which is slightly lower than other top-rated MMA betting sites.
