Betting on MMA fights can be profitable, but it also has the potential to be very risky. That’s why it’s important to understand how the odds work before you start placing your bets.
MMA betting has become extremely popular, with many people turning to the sport as a way to make money. However, this can be tricky if you’re not well-versed in the sport or the odds. There are several things you can do to make sure that you’re betting on a good matchup and taking advantage of the best odds possible.
One of the first things you should do is research each fighter and their past performances. This will help you get a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses. You should also look into their coaches to get a better understanding of what they expect from their fighters.
Another key element to be aware of when analyzing a fight is the fighters’ style. This includes their striking, grappling, and dominance. MMA judges consider this when determining the winner of a fight.
A fighter’s ability to land a number of takedowns can be a huge factor when evaluating a fighter’s odds. For example, Khabib Nurmagomedov landed 21 takedowns in his UFC 160 fight against Abel Trujillo. That was enough to give him a significant advantage over the opponent.
Other factors to be aware of when handicapping a fighter’s odds are their cardio and their weight. While heavier fighters tend to have more strength and power, they can also have less speed and agility. It’s also important to take note of a fighter’s age and physical traits.
Some older fighters who don’t have much experience may be undervalued by sportsbooks, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them. This can give you a good idea of how they’ll perform against younger opponents.
You can also use the round betting feature at sportsbooks to place a bet on a specific fighter’s chances of winning a particular round. This can be an exciting option, especially if a fighter is known for his ability to win in certain rounds.
A lot of MMA fights will end midway through a round, so you can place a bet on whether the bout will continue or finish in the first half of that round. Usually, the odds for this bet are given to handicap the outcome of the round, so you’re not necessarily guaranteed a victory.
If you’re a fan of the sport, be sure to stay away from making your bets on MMA fights based on how you feel about them. This can be a big mistake as it could lead you to lose your entire bankroll.
Another big mistake that a lot of newer bettors make is to assume that the fighters are going to fight to their strengths and not their opponents’ weaknesses. This can be a mistake, especially with lighter fighters who often have less cardio than their heavier opponents.