Amid the excitement surrounding MMA, some fans have been making a lot of money betting on UFC fights. But despite its popularity, mma betting isn’t as straightforward as it seems. There are some unique nuances to the sport, and understanding them is crucial if you want to maximize your winning potential.
Betting on MMA is much like betting on boxing, with there being a favorite and underdog in every match. However, there are some prop bets that can be a bit more tricky to get a handle on. One of these is the method of victory, which allows you to wager on how a particular fighter will win a specific fight. This type of bet can include a win by knockout, submission, or judge decision.
Another popular MMA prop bet is the over/under round bet, which involves placing odds on how many rounds a fight will last. Generally, the over/under is set at 2.5 rounds, and to win your bet, you must place an amount equal to the total number of rounds. However, because of the different fighting styles of each fighter, these bets can be a bit trickier to predict. For example, if you’re betting on two defensive fighters, then the over/under may be easier to pick, since they will tend to last longer.
As with any type of sports betting, the MMA odds will shift from the moment they open up to the night of the fight, depending on how many bettors are interested in a particular outcome. Additionally, any news affecting either of the combatants could impact the line as well.
Fortunately, the UFC does have a few safeguards in place to prevent betting manipulation. In fact, the sport’s stance on this is among the strictest in the world. As a result, there have been few betting-related scandals in recent years. However, the James Krause betting controversy did raise some eyebrows this year. The former fighter-turned-coach was accused of assisting bettors at an offshore sportsbook. This included providing them with credit card information and a login to the offshore wagering site. Krause was also accused of offering bettors compensation in exchange for referring more bettors to him.
While MMA isn’t quite as big as boxing, it has gained tremendous popularity and high-profile fights can now attract the same kind of attention. In addition, the sport offers a wide variety of betting options that can be placed at any reputable sportsbook. Aside from the standard moneyline, a popular UFC betting option is the Over/Under Rounds bet. Unlike boxing, which uses a fixed number of rounds, MMA over/under bets are set at a certain amount of rounds in the bout and can be tied into a moneyline. For example, a bet on Ferguson to win the fight in four rounds will pay out at +230. This is higher than the -200 offered on a standard moneyline bet.
