Mixed martial arts (MMA) has become one of the most popular combat sports in the world, with major televised events and Pay-Per-View shows filling some of the biggest stadiums. In the past decade, MMA has evolved from an underground and niche sport to a fully-fledged professional fighting league with a formal rulebook, mainstream media coverage, and high-profile athletes. As the sport continues to grow, MMA betting is becoming increasingly common.
The best place to bet on MMA is at a reliable online sportsbook. Several of these offer bonuses and promotions, such as first-bet insurance and odds boosts. Barstool Sportsbook, in particular, has built a strong social media presence and offers a user-friendly platform for placing bets.
MMA betting is similar to boxing in that you can place wagers on individual fighters and their chances of winning a fight. However, MMA betting has many additional prop bets that are specific to the combat sport. These bets usually carry a higher risk and payout, as they require a precise outcome. The most common MMA prop bets are over/under and round bets. The over/under bet involves predicting the total number of rounds a match will last. The oddsmakers will set an over/under line for the number of rounds expected to be fought and set a price, known as the vig or juice, for each side of the bet.
Another MMA prop bet that is commonly placed is the method of victory. This is a bet on how a fight will end, either by a knockout or submission. A knockout is when a fighter knocks the opponent out, usually with one or more blows. A technical knockout, or TKO, is when the referee stops the fight after a fighter is rendered unconscious, or a submission is when a fighter wins by forcing their opponent to submit to a hold or move.
Aside from the method of victory, another popular MMA prop bet is on the number of takedowns a fighter will land in a fight. This bet is based on the judges’ scoring system, which weighs in factors such as effective striking, grappling, and dominance. For example, a fighter who lands multiple draining takedowns in a fight could be awarded a significant amount of points.
While a lot of money can be made on MMA betting, it’s important to research the fights and know your fighters. It’s also a good idea to bet with a reputable online sportsbook that accepts UFC and MMA betting. Lastly, don’t be afraid to parlay your MMA bets to increase your profits. Parlays combine a group of individual bets for a bigger return and can include up to 10 individual fight picks.