MMA betting is not for everyone, but for those willing to make the leap it can offer a lucrative new outlet for wagering. The sport is growing in popularity, especially since the debut of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993. While it does not have the history and appeal of boxing, MMA betting offers its own unique twists on the traditional sports wagering experience.
One of the most basic forms of mma betting is money line bets. In a money line bet, you’re essentially predicting which fighter will win the fight. Each fighter is assigned odds based on their perceived chances of winning, with higher odds meaning the favorite and lower odds signifying the underdog.
Betting on a specific method of victory can also be placed via prop bets. These bets are offered at higher and potentially more profitable odds than those on the winner of the fight, and tend to cover a wide range of possibilities. They can include predicting whether the fight will end in a knockout, submission or decision. You can even place a bet on the exact round in which the fight will end, though this is fairly rare and carries a much lower payout than a wager on which fighter will win the fight.
Another popular MMA betting option is the Over/Under round totals bet. Typically, oddsmakers set the Over/Under round total for each fight and you predict if the fight will last longer (Over) or shorter than the number of rounds scheduled. The amount you bet depends on the number of rounds scheduled and the style of the fighters involved in the fight.
As a final note, it is important to be aware of the risks involved in mma betting. The game is dangerous and injuries are common. The best way to avoid this is by understanding the sport, researching statistics and making a reasonable budget before placing your bets. In addition, it is always wise to have a backup plan, such as placing a parlay bet that includes a variety of different bets and reducing your risk of losing all of your money.
Despite the warnings against gambling on MMA fights, many people do it anyway, with some wagering hundreds of thousands or more of dollars on a single bout. This raises concerns among some in the MMA community, including some fighters, coaches and managers. ESPN spoke to a dozen individuals with ties to the sport who were willing to speak on the issue anonymously. Their responses were mixed. Some were adamant that gambling was widespread and should be banned, while others were more concerned that the amount of money wagered on each fight could threaten the livelihood of some of their athletes. Regardless of their opinions on the matter, all agreed that there was a need to educate fans about the dangers of gambling and promote responsible betting.