When placing wagers on MMA fights, bettors should consider the fighters’ styles, records, recent performances and injuries. Prop bets, meanwhile, offer a variety of betting options such as predicting the exact round in which a fight will end and whether it will go the distance. Parlays, which combine multiple bets for a larger payout, are an excellent way to increase your chances of winning.
The MMA betting odds are not real probabilities, but are determined by sports statisticians and mathematicians who analyze the wider betting market and statistics. Odds makers will also examine a fighter’s previous performance, weather forecasts, weight class differences, and other factors to determine the X’s and O’s of each fight. However, the odds that a fight is given can vary at different sportsbooks. This is known as line shopping and it is an important strategy for any aspiring sharp bettor.
One common mistake that bettors make is comparing opponents’ records and thinking that fighter A should win because they lost to fighter B. This is a flawed reasoning that can distract bettors from studying fighters’ styles and learning how they match up against each other.
Moreover, the style of a fighter greatly influences how well they perform in the ring. For example, a fighter’s stance – orthodox versus southpaw – can give them an advantage or disadvantage based on how they are able to defend their opponent’s styles. It’s also important to stay updated on fighters’ training camps and fight preparation, as injury risk can increase or decrease a fighter’s overall fighting ability.
Another common error is not assessing a fighter’s physical condition. This includes their weight, which will influence how well they perform in a particular fight. Fighters can lose a lot of fluids during weight cuts and may be drained before the fight even starts. Keeping up with fight schedules and fighters’ progress in training camp can help bettors avoid making this mistake.
A KO loss can damage a fighter’s confidence and cause them to become more cautious. It can also lead to a drastic change in their fighting style, which can negatively affect their performance inside the octagon. This is why bettors should be mindful of a fighter’s history with KO losses.
In MMA betting, bettors can also place wagers on the method of victory and how many rounds a fight will last. In addition, bettors can place over/under round totals, where they bet on the number of rounds a fight will last. To make this bet, a bettor must weigh the number of rounds scheduled against the oddsmakers’ implied probability that the fight will reach the over/under round total. The over/under is a simple bet that can be placed early in the fight. However, it is a good idea to shop around for the best over/under lines, as prices can differ at different sportsbooks. This practice is called line shopping and it’s an essential strategy for any MMA bettor.