MMA betting is one of the fastest growing markets at online sportsbooks and in-person establishments that feature MMA fight cards. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest MMA promotion and holds events around the world, giving fans a chance to place bets on each of their marquee bouts.
In MMA betting, the most popular wager is on which fighter will win the match. Oddsmakers calculate the implied probability for each fighter and set a moneyline for their performance in the fight, with bettors able to place a wager on either side of that line. Some sportsbooks also offer Over/Under round totals for a match, which allow bettors to wager on how many rounds the match will last and when they think it will end. It is possible for a match to end in a draw, but it’s very rare.
Another popular MMA betting market is on method of victory, which allows bettors to wager on whether a fight will be won via KO/TKO, submission, or a technical decision. While some fighters are able to win by knockout in a single punch, this is not always the case and bettors should research each fighter’s past performances when placing this bet. Some bettors prefer to wager on the rounds in which a fight will end, with non-championship matches usually lasting three rounds and championship or main event fights often spanning five rounds.
While studying a fighter’s history is important, some bettors can get carried away with what is known as “MMA math.” It is common to compare the record of two opponents and think that because Fighter A has defeated Fighter B in the past, that Fighter A will win their upcoming fight. This is not the case and can distract bettors from analyzing styles and studying fight film.
Another factor to consider when wagering on an MMA match is the weight class of the two fighters. Just like in boxing, fighters will move up and down in weight classes depending on their success. Fighters that struggle to make weight often have a tougher time in the octagon and may be unable to perform at their best. Also, a fighter coming off a KO loss may become more cautious in their approach and be less likely to try the risky tactics that led to their defeat.