Mixed martial arts (MMA) betting has grown in popularity as the sport draws big audiences and sportsbook sharps look for ways to make money. Betting lines are similar to those found in boxing, with bettors placing wagers on a fighter to win the match. However, MMA betting includes more types of bets than just straight-up bets on who will win the fight. These include bets on how the fight will be won, as well as a number of prop bets that focus on the length of the bout.
The most common MMA bet is the moneyline, which is a straight-up bet on one of the two fighters to win the fight. These bets are available at most online MMA betting sites, although some sportsbooks may not offer them. Prop bets, parlays (accumulators), over/under bets, round bets and method of victory bets are also popular MMA betting options. In addition, some MMA betting sites offer Inplay betting, which allows bettors to place bets during the fight as it takes place.
Unlike football games where teams are awarded a fixed amount of points for a win, MMA matches are scored on a grading system that considers a number of factors including striking and grappling. The grade for a strike is determined by the number of punches landed, the quality of those punches and whether they connect with the target. The grade for a submission is determined by the quality of the hold and how long the hold lasts. The grade for a judges’ decision is based on how well the judge thinks a fighter did in a given round.
Unlike traditional sports, MMA has high levels of unpredictability. This makes it difficult for bettors to find consistent winners. In order to increase their chances of winning, bettors should research a fighter’s past fights and try to spot patterns that may indicate how they will perform in a specific match. For example, if a fighter has a history of fighting shorter opponents, they should be cautious when placing bets on a longer-than-expected fight. This is because shorter fighters can often take advantage of their opponent’s fatigue by landing more punches in the first few rounds. By contrast, fighters with a history of fighting longer opponents tend to have better stamina throughout the fight and are more likely to fight to the final round.
