MMA betting is an exciting way to make wagers on the sport of mixed martial arts. A number of different types of wagers are available, from picking a winner to predicting the method of victory or how many rounds a fight will last. Understanding the odds, studying fighters’ histories, and managing your bankroll are key to successful MMA betting.

Moneyline bets are the simplest way to place a wager on a specific outcome in a fight. MMA odds are typically presented in American format, with favorites indicated by a minus sign (-) and underdogs represented by a plus sign (+). The odds reflect the payout associated with placing a bet on either side of a line. A customer can bet on a specific fighter or a group of fighters.

Odds for a specific bet are always subject to change, and can shift as bettors make their selections. Odds are based on the probability of a specific outcome, and can fluctuate depending on how popular each bet is. The more popular a bet is, the higher the odds will be.

Over/Under bets are also a common wager on MMA fights. The oddsmakers set an Over/Under total based on the estimated amount of rounds the fight will last and the fighting styles of the two fighters involved. The Over/Under total is then divided by the vig (or margin) to create the final odds.

The higher the Over/Under bet, the greater the payout will be if you are correct. However, if the fight is stopped in the first round, your bet will lose. It is important to study fighters’ records and analyze their fighting styles to determine the best bets.

Several MMA sportsbooks offer the ability to place bets on an exact round that the fight will end in. This bet type can be quite lucrative, as the payouts are much higher than standard bets. The bets are based on the expected duration of a certain round, and can be determined by KO/TKO, submission or a technical decision.

Method of Victory bets are a popular MMA wager, and can be placed on a specific fighter or on the total number of rounds a fight will last. Non-championship fights usually last three rounds, while championship and main event matches last five. This is important to note because the decision of a fight can be split or majority, and the method of victory can vary between the different decision types.

Many bettors like to do what is known as “MMA math” when analyzing a matchup, which involves comparing a fighter’s record against their opponent’s. However, this can often be misleading and divert attention away from examining the styles of each fighter. In addition, it is important to remember that fighters can struggle to reach their required weight class before a fight, and can undergo drastic measures to ensure they weigh in under the limit. This can lead to a drained fighter, which can negatively impact their performance in the fight.