MMA betting is an increasingly popular way to place wagers on mixed martial arts events. Betting on MMA is similar to traditional sports betting, but there are several differences that can make it more complicated than your average bet.
Injury/Recovery
One of the biggest factors in MMA is how a fighter recovers from an injury. A serious injury can have an immediate impact on a fighter’s ability to perform inside the octagon, so bettors need to keep an eye out for any signs of injury during pre-fight workouts or in training footage.
A common way to spot an injury is by watching a fighter’s body language when they are in the gym. If they are sluggish or are looking pale when you would normally expect them to look fresh, this can be a sign of an injury.
Injuries can also affect how a fighter approaches a fight. A fighter coming off a knockout loss may be more cautious and lose their edge, altering their style in the octagon.
Weight Cuts/Weight Classes
MMA is a sport that has multiple weight classes and fighters are constantly moving up and down in their weight class. Some fighters are able to make weight and maintain it easily, while others struggle to make the cut. Those close to missing the cut are often more susceptible to overtraining and dehydration, which can put them at risk for being drained before a fight even starts.
Early weigh-ins can also give you a better sense of a fighter’s progress. Some fighters struggle to make weight and can spend the week prior to a fight trying to get back up to their proper weight. They may go through drastic measures, such as starving and dehydrating themselves, to make up for the missed weight.
Weight cuts can have a negative impact on a fighter’s performance inside the octagon. They can become fatigued and sluggish, making it more difficult for them to stay in shape throughout the fight.
In addition, late weight cuts can have an adverse effect on a fighter’s mental state and their ability to adapt quickly. A fighter who has missed the weight cut can find it difficult to stay focused on their opponent during the fight.
Parlays
There are a lot of ways to profit from MMA betting, including parlays. A parlay is a type of bet that involves betting on multiple fights in the same round and can be a great way to maximize your profits at the sportsbook.
A parlay is an effective way to bet on a heavy favorite and an underdog in the same matchup, especially when those two fighters are scheduled to meet in a major title fight. Typically, the favorite will have odds of -550 or more, while an underdog will be assigned positive odds that are closer to the +100 mark.
Past Performances
A fighter’s history in MMA can be an excellent indicator of their future performance. Taking the time to look at their past fights and how they have performed against different opponents can help bettors make more informed decisions when making predictions.