MMA Betting

MMA betting is one of the most popular sports wagering options for fight fans. While some people still prefer to bet on boxing matches, MMA has become much more prevalent since the formation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. This is due to the rising popularity of the sport and the superstars that it has produced over the years. The UFC is responsible for making fighters household names and establishing mixed martial arts as a popular and respected form of entertainment. In addition to bets on the winner of a given fight, MMA offers several other betting options that are unique to the sport. These include props, futures, and live bets.

Moneyline bets on a particular fighter are one of the most basic MMA betting options. They are generally listed with the favorite indicated by a minus sign (-) and the underdog shown by a plus sign (+). The odds on a specific fighter are based on the likelihood that they will win the fight, not how many rounds the match will last. Those who are looking for more specific wagers can place over/under round total bets, which are bets on the expected number of rounds a fight will last.

There are a variety of ways that a fight can end, including a knockout, technical knockout, submission, or decision. Some MMA betting sites also offer wagers on the Method of Victory, which allows players to make a prediction based on how they think the fight will unfold. In order to be successful when placing a Method of Victory bet, it is important to know the fighters’ styles and past performance against similar opponents.

Another common MMA betting market is the Over/Under on significant strikes landed, which are defined as blows thrown with tangible force that result in apparent damage to an opponent. This bet is somewhat subjective in nature, but it can be a profitable option when made on the right fighter. Some sportsbooks also implement a separate over/under on how many strikes will be thrown, which is more general but can be a profitable wager when paired with the correct fighters.

In a typical MMA bout, the winner of a fight is determined by three judges’ scorecards. Judges award 10 points for each round won and nine or less for each round lost. A fighter must earn at least 10 points in a single round to win, but the score can be tied via a decision when two judges award the same amount of points to opposite fighters.

Depending on the weight class of a fighter and how often they compete in that class, it is common for them to move up or down in size between fights. If a fighter is unable to make the weight required for a given fight, they may be asked to forfeit 20% to 30% of their purse. This can sometimes lead to the cancellation of a fight, but most of the time a catchweight is agreed upon and the original bet is refunded.