MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a full-contact combat sport that combines techniques from other fighting disciplines like boxing, karate, muay Thai, wrestling, and jiujitsu. Although purists have derided it as a bloodthirsty event without the grace of boxing, it’s become one of the fastest growing sports in the world and offers countless betting opportunities both prematch and live.
Most online MMA books offer a wide variety of wagers, from basic fight winner bets to more exotic Method of Victory and Round Over/Under bets. These bets are based on a fighter’s performance and past history as well as a look at his or her opponent’s style and past results. It is important to remember that a fighter’s performance in the Octagon will always be different than his or her performances in training, so a bettors should carefully study a fighter’s performance history and corresponding odds before making a bet.
A common mistake of bettors is to compare the records of two fighters and think that a fighter with a better record should win. This is often the case in MMA as fighters will compete in a number of different weight classes and have a lot of crossover in terms of opponents. However, bettors should also look at the quality of the losses and wins. Often, fighters who have lost to top-level competition will rebound much more quickly than those who have struggled against inferior opposition.
Another factor to consider when capping a match is the amount of time that a fighter can last in the ring. For instance, non-championship fights typically last three rounds and championship or main event fights can last up to five rounds. This can be a significant factor in determining the victor as fighters who are forced to go the distance tend to lose by large margins.
While there are a lot of factors that can impact the outcome of a fight, bettors should pay special attention to how a fighter responds to pressure and the way he or she handles high-stakes situations. The most successful bettors will be those who take the time to understand how each fighter’s body reacts under pressure and use this information to handicap the match.
The first step in MMA betting is to find an online sportsbook that accepts your preferred payment method and is licensed to operate in your jurisdiction. Once you’ve found a site, sign up for an account and then fund your account with money. Many sites allow you to place multiple bets on a single card, and some even let you parlay fights into a single bet. If you’re looking for added excitement, try a live MMA betting feature that allows you to bet on the action as it unfolds. While this type of betting isn’t as popular as a traditional bet, it’s an excellent way to test your skills and potentially win some serious cash!