The MMA market has seen explosive growth in recent years and offers a wide range of betting opportunities for fans. Many fights are featured on a single night’s card, and wagers can be placed from a sportsbook or app, or at home. The sport is similar to boxing in some ways but MMA adds several unique elements that make the game more interesting and a pleasure to watch and bet on.
Betting on MMA involves placing bets on individual fighters, the total number of rounds in a match, and a variety of other MMA props. The odds for these bets are posted in American format and typically include a positive and negative number that indicates the likelihood of the outcome. A negative number represents the favorite, while a positive one signifies the underdog. Depending on the site, bettors can also place parlays on a number of different outcomes for a single bet. Parlays are riskier than individual bets, but offer larger payouts if all the picks are correct.
As with any sport, a winning MMA betting strategy takes careful research and smart bankroll management. Using an online sportsbook is one of the best options for placing MMA bets, as they offer competitive odds and a wide variety of betting markets. Many of these sportsbooks allow you to deposit and withdraw funds with a credit or debit card.
The odds for a particular MMA fight are set by the oddsmakers and are based on a number of factors, including a fighter’s record and style of fighting. Fighters are also grouped into specific weight classes, and bettors can take advantage of this information by making informed betting decisions.
In addition to a fighter’s record, bettors should pay close attention to their weigh-ins. Fighters who struggle to make weight may experience extreme dehydration, which can have a negative impact on their performance on fight day. For example, a fighter who is dehydrated may not have as much cerebrospinal fluid in their brain, making them more vulnerable to knockouts.
Another factor to consider is how judges will score a fight. A good MMA judge will look for effective striking, takedowns, and dominance. Khabib Nurmagomedov, for instance, won a majority decision in his last fight against Abel Trujillo by landing 21 takedowns.
A final consideration is the cage size, which can affect a fighter’s ability to move around and make takedowns. A smaller cage will favor fighters who rely on ground and pound, while a bigger cage is ideal for fighters who prefer to stand and trade punches.
MMA bets can be placed on a number of different outcomes, from a knockout win to a draw. MMA odds are usually quoted in moneyline format, and the positive or negative numbers indicate the likelihood of a particular outcome. The higher the number, the more likely it is that a fighter will win. The odds of a fighter are determined by their record, fighting style, and current health status.