MMA betting is growing in popularity as the sport gains traction and fans flock to watch a full card of fights every weekend. The UFC, which has dominated the scene since it emerged, is a huge draw and holds events all over the world with massive pay-per-views held in some of the biggest sports stadiums around. While boxing used to be the center of attention in fight sport circles, MMA has exploded and surpassed it as the most popular of all the combat sports in recent years.
Unlike other professional sports, MMA fighters are usually independent contractors who pay their own trainers and coaches. This can give them a lot of control over their training and preparation and may make it more difficult for the sport to keep an eye on potential insider activity. Nevertheless, there is still a good amount of illegal and unethical behavior within the sport and bettors should be aware of this when placing wagers on MMA.
The MMA betting market offers multiple options for customers to place wagers on a specific fight. In addition to the moneyline, where a customer simply selects a winner of a particular match, there are also over/under and round bets. The Over/Under bets are based on the expected number of rounds a fight will last with the oddsmaker offering a price for both the Over and the Under.
When making a round bet, bettors have to pick a particular round in which they expect the fight to end. This can be by technical knockout, submission or a judges decision. The round bets are more precise than the moneyline or over/under bets and offer a much higher payout when a correct selection is made.
Another type of MMA betting is the Method of Victory bet where the bettor has to select how they believe the fight will end. This can be by KO/TKO, submission, disqualification or a judges decision. These bets have a lower payout than the moneyline bets but can add a lot of excitement to a MMA betting experience.
Lastly, there are the prop bets where customers can place a wager on just about anything related to the fight. These bets are often made available a few days before the fight and can include things like the first takedown, how many punches will be landed in the first quarter and whether the fighter will make weight.
MMA bettors can also place live bets during the fight which is an exciting and fast-paced way to place a wager. The odds for live bets are dynamic and are updated based on how the fight is going. They can be placed at almost any online sportsbook and are a great way to enjoy the action from the comfort of your own home.