MMA betting is a fast-growing sport with a host of different wagering options. The game combines elements of boxing, karate, muay Thai, wrestling, and other martial arts disciplines to create a full-contact, high-octane fighting sport that has become one of the most popular sports in recent years. The MMA betting lines for each match are set by oddsmakers who consider the matchups, fighter styles, and other factors that can affect a fight’s outcome. While mma betting is legal in most states, it’s important to know your local laws before placing any bets.
When betting on MMA matches, you can place bets on the moneyline, method of victory, and total rounds. In addition to traditional bets, there are also a number of specialized MMA betting prop bets that offer higher payouts. Parlays are a type of MMA betting that combines multiple individual wagers for a greater payout. For example, you can bet on Henry Cejudo to win by submission paired with Gregor Gillespie beating Yancy Medeiros in a parlay that pays out $260 for a $100 wager. Parlays are riskier MMA betting bets, but can pay off big if you’re correct on all of your picks.
The first step in MMA betting is to look at the fighting styles and records of the two fighters. Paying attention to stances is also important, as fighters who are left-handed often have an advantage against opponents who are orthodox. Using statistics can help bettors understand a fighter’s strengths and weaknesses, but it is important to use them in conjunction with other tools, such as watching video analysis of the fight.
Another key aspect of MMA betting is understanding the differences between fighters’ records and the ways that judges score each fight. For instance, fighters who have more knockouts are typically favored over those with a greater number of submission wins. Judges also take into account the effectiveness of striking, with significant legal strikes gaining points and illegal ones deducting points based on the referee’s opinion.
A common mistake that bettors make is comparing the records of two fighters to try and predict their outcome. This can lead to poor decisions because it ignores the uniqueness of each fighter’s style and their ability to perform under pressure. It’s also a bad idea to compare a fighter’s record against the same opponent in the same weight class because there is usually a lot of crossover between the opposition.
