What Factors Affect MMA and UFC Betting?

MMA exploded in popularity with the introduction of the UFC in 1993. Even though it doesn’t garner the same level of viewership as many other major sports like basketball, football, and cricket, the fanbase continues to rapidly grow. Of course, being so widely followed means that MMA promotions like Bellator and UFC generate a significant handle at online bookmakers.

When you visit one of the best MMA sports betting sites rated and reviewed by  https://legalbet.uk/betting-sites/sets/ufc/, you’ll discover that there are many ways to bet on a given bout. However, you must consider a variety of factors before placing a wager on a competition. Let’s take a look at a few of the most important ones. By taking them into account, you will have a better shot at making the correct choice and earning more money.

Odds

No matter what sports you like to wager on, one of the most important keys to sports betting success is getting the best odds. Perhaps the most effective way to achieve this is by shopping for the best price. There are many great MMA betting sites out there, and you will usually find that the odds vary depending on the site. If one bookmaker has your fighter listed at 4/6 whilst the second has it set at 8/11, then you stand to win more money by placing your bet at the second site.

It’s also worth mentioning that most online bookmakers release their odds weeks before the event. As such, the odds are prone to changes. This is particularly true when a public favourite is involved. The fighter might open at 4/7, but the odds will get shorter as the public money comes in. Because of this, a lot of bettors like to hit public favourites early before the value gets bled dry. Conversely, those who intend on backing the underdog opponent might want to wait for the money to pour in on the favourite to drive the odds up.

Fighting Styles

As the name of the sport implies, mixed martial arts features a variety of fighting styles. The most commonly employed disciplines are striking, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Conor McGregor are among the most notable strikers in the history of the sport whilst Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, and Khabib Nurmagomedov are often considered the best wrestlers. Then there are fighters like BJ Penn, Nick Diaz, and almost anyone named Gracie who have used jiu-jitsu to dominate opponents.

MMA bettors should always make a point of knowing what style their fighters and opponents use. On top of that, they should do a bit of research to learn how their fighter has fared against other fighters that use the same style as the upcoming opponent.

A Fighter’s History 

Whilst a fighter’s win/loss record can tell you quite a bit, it doesn’t reveal the whole story. You have to dig a bit deeper. For instance, your guy might be 25-6, but maybe he has lost his last 5 consecutive bouts which would be a troubling sign. Even then, you need to find out who he fought, what styles and tactics those opponents used, and the method of victory.

It’s a good idea to find out how often the fighter has fought in the past year or so. Zero in on their last three or four bouts and analyze every aspect of those fights. If the fighter recently competed or he is a replacement, he may not have had enough time to properly prepare for his next opponent.

Age

Age catches up to everyone and it can be a huge factor in an MMA bout. This is especially true in the realm of MMA which requires peak physical form, mental sharpness, and speed. Simply put, a past-his-prime fighter with many bouts under his belt will almost certainly be eroding through wear and tear. He will typically be slower, less effective, and lack the stamina required to beat more youthful opponents.

With that said, many MMA fighters have found sustained success into the latter stages of their careers. Still, the Randy Couture’s, Anderson Silva’s, and Glover Texiera’s of the MMA world are rare.

Weight Cuts

A lot of fighters lose copious amounts of weight so that they can compete in lower weight classes. This gives them an advantage of sorts. Whilst some can easily shed 15 or 20 pounds to meet the weight requirements, others really struggle. After all, significant dehydration is hard on the body and weight-cutting can have severe consequences.  

Always make a point of checking out the weigh-in to see how your fighter looks and acts. Did he appear to be in peak form? Did he look dehydrated? Did he faint? Not doing a proper weight cut can have serious implications come fight day.

Summary

There’s a lot more to successfully betting on MMA than flipping a coin, backing favorites, or betting with your heart. You need to consider a variety of factors including the ones mentioned above. Gather as much information as you can, assess it, and then make an informed decision. You will be glad that you did.