Demonator here from BetUS.com to schill for BetUS and to answer some frequently asked questions about mixed martial arts/UFC betting.

In addition to being a sports analyst and handicapper for BetUS.com (as well as their radio show host), I’m an NFL analyst for ESPN radio and FOX Sports Radio as well. Many of you already know me from my mixed martial arts radio programs like “The BetUS Fight Talk Podcast” and “MMA Weekly Radio”.

But enough about me … let’s talk wagers.

While football pays the bills, MMA has become my secret mistress, with whom I spend countless Saturday evenings nestled in lusty rapture. Having said that, I’d like to provide a little insight into how MMA odds work so that you can get the most value out of your picks.

At one time or another we’ve all checked out the latest MMA lines on an event and said to ourselves; “Holy crap!” Doomsday Donovan is at +230! I’ll take that all day!” If that’s ever your first reaction, you need to pause for a moment and remember that if you have an initial gut reaction to ANY line in MMA like that … it’s exactly what the oddmakers intended for you to do!

A lot of time we forget that not only do oddsmakers want you to bet, they also want you to bet in their favor! What’s their favor you ask? Getting the money to come in even on both sides. This way, regardless of the outcome, their potential to lose money is minimal.

It’s as simple as that.

Now this is where we can find value. The fact is the public notoriously bets the favorite leading up to fights. It’s kind of a rule of thumb. As average, “casual fan” money pours in leading up to an event — the higher percentage usually lands on the favorite.

This is important to know because if more money lands on the favorite the underdog will become more profitable. Conversely, the favorite will begin to lose value if money starts to pile high on the underdog.

What’s the lesson here?

If you check out lines and you love an underdog early, chances are you will get the most value out of that pick in the hours leading up to the fight.

So, bet underdogs LATE. Laaaaaaate! Like ‘before introductions’ late. The most value you’re going to get on a favorite is the SECOND the lines are released. If you’re laying smack on a favorite, do it as soon as you’ve decided to bet on them, especially if they’re a more popular fighter, because all that drunken weekend fan money tends to drift toward the favorite.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but these are kind of staples in the betting world and ring true for not just football and mixed martial arts but other sports as well. Knowing the tendencies of the oddsmakers AND the public is the best way for you to maximize your profit from fight to fight.

I hope this gives you some direction in your betting endeavors. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go back to handicapping football and dreaming about the next UFC, which is tonight — to bet on UFC 88 CLICK HERE and get a $75 free play!