MMA Betting Strategies

A successful MMA betting strategy requires a deep understanding of the sport, an ability to interpret stats and analyze fighters based on their style. Moreover, you must be disciplined and manage your bankroll to avoid overbetting or making emotional decisions. It is also important to set a budget for your wagers and stick to it. This will help you avoid chasing losses and keep your betting a fun, responsible activity.

The most basic MMA bet is the moneyline bet, where you place your wager on a specific fighter to win their fight. The odds are based on the probability of a victory, with favorites offering a lower payout and underdogs offering a higher one. There are also bets on the number of rounds a fight will last, as well as a method of victory bet. The latter allows you to place a bet on whether a fighter will win by knockout, submission or decision.

Another common MMA bet is the Over/Under round total, which is a wager on how many rounds a fight will last. The sportsbook will select a value for the over/under, and you simply place your bet on whether the actual number of rounds will go over or under that figure. The sportsbook will then apply a fee, known as the vig or juice, to your bet depending on its implied probability of hitting that number.

To make a profit on this bet, you should take into account how well both fighters have performed against each other in the past. You can also look at their styles and any advantages, such as an orthodox fighter’s strength against a southpaw. In addition, it’s important to consider the fighters’ injuries and any ailment they may be struggling with ahead of their upcoming bout.

Unlike NFL or NBA betting, MMA betting has little liquidity, which means big bets from the public can quickly move the lines. However, sharps usually fade public money and look for undervalued lines. This can be particularly useful when placing a futures bet, such as predicting the 2021 UFC champion. In the case of a futures bet, oddsmakers use a combination of data, algorithms and smart calculations to determine the odds.

There are a few different ways that you can bet on an MMA fight, with online sportsbooks being the most popular platform for these types of wagers. Aside from convenience, these sites offer a range of options and up-to-date odds.

There are three main types of odds expressions used worldwide, including American Odds, Fractional Odds and Decimal Odds. A sportsbook will default to the type that’s most commonly used in its region, but it can be changed at any time. It is also important to note that the odds will change throughout the week leading up to a fight and any new information regarding the fighters can affect them. Therefore, it’s vital to study up on the different bet types and understand the odds before placing any bets.