MMA and betting have been connected since the start of the sport. Every match is a coalition of different fighting styles and skill sets of two opposing fighters who are putting in everything they have. Every MMA match presents a unique experience, and a lot of people tend to get up close and personal by putting their money where their mouth is. This brings us to some basic mistakes that many punters commit, mistakes that make it profitable for the bookies.
It helps to stay up to date with the betting world of MMA and UFC at betJACK with regular news updates, podcasts, betting previews that offer pre-game analysis and predictions, reliable odds, and much more. These are things that can help you improve your betting strategy. But if you don’t avoid the mistakes we’re about to explore, your betting prospects are not looking any good. Let’s get right into it and take a look at the most common MMA betting mistakes and how to avoid them.
Most Common MMA Betting Mistakes
The popularity of MMA is no less than booming. It’s hard not to notice when 13% of the respondents to this survey conducted in America say that they are avid fans of the UFC. With the rapid rise in popularity, MMA is bringing in more people willing to stake real money on fights—people that are new to the MMA betting scene and have hardly any knowledge of its intricacies. Let’s talk about the mistakes that almost every novice bettor makes and every seasoned bettor learns to avoid.
Placing Bets Based on Emotions
This is a mistake that most bettors, who are fans of the sport, tend to make. Just because you like a particular fighter and would want him or her to win does not mean you should stake your hard-earned cash on them. Bets should be made with real conviction—a cool-headed choice made with solid analysis, not an optimistic assumption.
Relying on Records More Than Necessary
Sports betting generally conforms to statistics, but for a combat sport like MMA, records will only tell you so much. The events and outcomes of a matchup depend heavily on the fighters’ individual fighting styles and how they fare against each other. How well fighters make use of their strong suits and exploit the flaws of their opponents determines much of the outcome.
For example, if you see a fighter’s illustrious record of winning by submission and bet on him to win a match by finishing, it can cost you if the opponent is good at grappling. Remember, every matchup demands specific research and attention to detail. Stats only show a general picture. Fighters with inferior records can still win if their techniques can outplay their opponents’.
Focusing Too Much on Favorites
Favorites are commonly the ones who win fights, but in MMA, upsets are not too rare. Betting on the favorite with your eyes closed can be a costly mistake. Don’t take anything for granted; assess every possibility, and only then make a betting choice.
Betting on the Underdog for the Big Numbers
Successful bets on underdogs come with high payouts, though this happens on rare occasions. But there are some who always stake it on the underdog, tempted by the massive payout, hoping to win against the odds.
Underdogs do win sometimes, and you may bet on one for a massive return, but only when your prior research provides you with enough evidence for the underdog winning. For example, if your analysis shows that an underdog’s fighting style is well-matched against the favorite and he or she can outmatch the opponent’s strong suits in the octagon, you may wager on the underdog.
Placing Large Bets in a Single Wager
This is a common rookie mistake when it comes to sports betting as a whole. People get overenthusiastic after winning a bet or two and tend to wager big amounts for even bigger returns. But there is always uncertainty around MMA matches, and one wrong choice can cost a lot.
Also, there are some who try to compensate for their losses by wagering even larger amounts on the next bet. This can lead to catastrophic failures. Remember, betting is only for enjoyment, something that adds to the excitement of MMA matches and isn’t meant to be a source of income. Before wagering, you should know how much you can afford to lose without consequences. Set it as the limit and never cross it.
Making Big Parlays
Parlays are bets that combine different betting segments into one to boost the odds and possibly win big payouts. For example, a moneyline bet (which fighter will win) and an over/under (how many rounds) or how that fighter will win (decision/finish) can be combined into one parlay that offers huge payouts in comparison to these three bets individually.
But this kind of parlay has very little chance of making a successful bet since if any of these outcomes fails to match, it will be considered a loss for the bettor. The wiser choice is to stick with the regular betting options. Make parlays only when you have solid evidence that the outcomes are viable.
The Takeaway
By avoiding these common MMA betting mistakes, you can significantly improve your chances of making your wagers successful. Always do your research, manage your bankroll cautiously, and never let emotions get in your way. These are prerequisites for making sound betting decisions. With these tips in mind, you can enjoy the excitement of MMA matches while also making informed betting choices to enhance the experience.
