MMA betting is one of the fastest growing markets at sportsbooks. It’s an exciting, fast-paced sport and can be very profitable. But it’s important to make smart bets and understand the rules of MMA before betting. You can bet on a specific outcome or on a method of victory, such as a knockout or submission. You can also place a “method of victory” parlay bet. This type of bet requires predicting several different outcomes and can yield much larger payouts than single-bet parlays.
The most common MMA bets are on the winner of the fight. Oddsmakers set these odds by analyzing the fighters’ performance history, skill level and fighting style. They also take into account any injury or illness information that might be available. In addition, a fighter’s record against certain opponents can also be factored in.
If a fighter fails to win the fight, he or she loses and the bet is lost. But if both fighters are considered winners, the bet will pay out. The decision is based on three judges’ scorecards, and athletic commissions generally delegate judges to score the fight using a 10-point must system. The fighter with the highest score wins, while a split decision results in a tie. A majority decision, on the other hand, means two judges scored the fight in favor of opposing fighters and the third judge scored a draw.
In addition to bets on the winner of a match, you can also place bets on how many rounds the fight will last or whether it will end by a knockout or submission. This is called the Over/Under Rounds betting line, and it’s similar to making a totals bet in NFL, NBA or MLB games. The Over/Under odds will update in real-time as the fight unfolds, based on the actual action taking place.
Another popular MMA bet is on which fighter will win the first round of a fight. This is a popular betting option because the first rounds are typically the closest and most intense in a fight. Often, the fighter with the best striking ability will win the first round, which makes it easier for them to finish the fight in the later rounds.
Some MMA betting sites offer futures bets, which are bets placed well in advance of the fight’s decision. These bets are offered by some of the top online sportsbooks and can offer very lucrative returns. Generally, futures bets are placed on the winner of a particular event or championship. For example, if you think Conor McGregor will retain his title in 2019, you can place a futures bet on him at +200.
Often, futures bets are paired with a Moneyline bet to increase the amount of your potential winnings. However, be careful about combining too many bets in a parlay. These bets usually have lower returns than individual bets, but if you lose any of them, you’ll forfeit your entire parlay. Make sure you analyze the risk and rewards before making a parlay bet.