Mixed martial arts has become the biggest fighting sport in the world. Its explosive growth has seen it surpass boxing as the sport of choice in fight sports and MMA events are now held regularly at the most prominent sports stadiums across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This has also led to the development of an MMA betting industry, with UFC matches offering plenty of opportunity for bettors to cash in.
The MMA betting industry is a competitive one with oddsmakers constantly striving to offer bettors the best odds possible. It is important for bettors to have a good understanding of the rules, fighting styles, and history of both fighters competing in a given matchup to get the most value out of their wagering. Using multiple bookmakers and comparing the odds offered by each offers the best chances for profitability.
One of the most popular ways to bet on MMA is by placing moneyline wagers. These are based on the expected win or loss of a particular fighter and are typically expressed as a decimal format. Jon Jones, for example, is a heavy favorite to win his next fight against Alexander Gustafsson at -300 money line odds. This means that if you place a $100 bet on Jon Jones to win, you will receive $300 in winnings.
Another popular MMA betting market is the Over/Under round total. This is based on the expected number of rounds in a fight and is determined by oddsmakers taking into account the fighting style, physical traits, and other relevant factors. For instance, a fighter with a long reach is able to keep his opponent at bay with a series of punches and will likely earn more points in the first half of a fight.
In addition to the traditional betting markets, MMA also offers a number of unique prop bets. These bets can include betting on the method of victory for a specific fighter, the round in which a fight will end, and even the specific strike that will be landed. These prop bets can add a new level of excitement to a fight, as they often offer higher payouts than other standard wagers.
One of the most common MMA betting options is on a fight to go the distance, with bettors choosing whether a particular fighter will win by knockout, submission, or split decision. Many sportsbooks will also allow bettors to place a slew of other prop bets, including over/under betting on significant strikes landed.
MMA is an extremely unpredictable sport, which makes it difficult for fans to determine who will win a particular fight. This makes it challenging to place a bet on the outcome of any particular bout. However, bettors who follow the rules of the sport and know the strengths, weaknesses, and history of both fighters can make educated guesses about the result of a specific fight. In turn, this knowledge will help them to place a winning bet.