MMA betting can be an exciting and profitable way to wager on fights. However, it is important to understand the risks involved and to make sound decisions based on research and knowledge. It is also important to set a budget and stick to it. Doing so will help you avoid making emotional bets and chasing losses, which can lead to disaster.

One of the key factors to consider when betting on MMA is how fighters perform against different opponents. Some fighters have built impressive records against elite-level competition, while others have struggled to develop their skills against lesser opponents. This is why it’s essential to do your research and take a closer look at each fighter’s wins and losses, as well as the circumstances surrounding their victories and defeats.

In MMA, the method of victory is often the key factor to determine the winner of a fight. It is possible to place bets on who will win the fight via a knockout, submission, or judges decision. However, the most popular bet is on which round a fighter will win. This bet is often made by using the ‘Over/Under’ system, which allows you to bet on whether a specific amount of points will be scored in a particular round.

The Over/Under round totals bet is a popular MMA betting market and it’s not too difficult to understand how it works. A lot of sportsbooks use a “10-point must” scoring system where 10 points must be awarded to the winner and nine or less points must be awarded to the loser. This system helps to simplify the MMA betting odds and is used in many of the most popular online sportsbooks.

Another factor to consider when placing MMA betting is the condition of the fighters before and during the fight. Fighters may come into the ring with injuries, which can impact their performance and could be a reason why they are underdogs against a stronger opponent. This is why it is important to keep an eye on fighters’ camp attendance and training progress, especially if they are suffering from injuries.

Finally, be sure to stay up to date with the latest MMA news and fight analysis. Many bettors like to do what is known as MMA math, which involves looking at the record of two fighters and comparing their wins and losses against common foes. This can be misleading and distract from studying the style of each fighter.

MMA stars are big money earners and their visibility correlates to marketability, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to viability in a given matchup. A star’s left-field one-liners and dazzling displays of power can draw in casual bettors, but the savvy bettor will look at other factors, such as cumulative damage and signs that wear and tear are beginning to take their toll on a fighter’s performance.