MMA betting is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Its fast-paced format has made it an attractive betting venue for both newcomers and experienced bettors. Whether you’re looking to place a wager on a big fight or just want to place a few prop bets, understanding the basics of MMA betting can help you make more informed decisions and increase your chances of winning.

Betting on MMA is similar to betting on football, basketball, or baseball, in that there are odds on the winner of each fight. The betting odds for a matchup are determined by the bookmaker and are published on their website. There are also many different types of bets on MMA fights, including moneyline bets, over/under bets, and parlays.

Moneyline Bets

The simplest type of bet in MMA is the moneyline bet. This bet simply asks you to pick one fighter to win a match, with the odds given for each side. It is a great way to place bets on popular fights or fights that aren’t expected to take the full distance of the fight.

Over/Under Bets

Over/under bets are based on the number of rounds that a fight will last before a winner is declared. In MMA, this isn’t always easy to predict, but it can be a good way to bet on the longer fights.

Total Rounds

Another common MMA betting option is to bet on the total rounds of a fight. This is similar to an over/under bet in other sports, but because of the small numbers of rounds that MMA fights typically last, this is more difficult to predict.

Using MMA Math

Often, bettors will want to compare the records of two fighters, especially inside a certain weight class. They’ll notice that one fighter has a record of beating another opponent, but the other fighter has lost to them previously. They’ll think that this is an indication that the fighter who has beaten them will likely beat the other, and they’ll bet on the favorite.

This can be a dangerous strategy, as it takes attention away from handicapping styles and studying fight film. It can also lead to making mistakes when it comes to picking winners and underdogs.

Line shopping

It is important to shop around for MMA betting odds as much as possible. The odds at different sportsbooks can vary significantly, and these differences can add up quickly over time.

If you can’t get the odds you want at your local sportsbook, check out online MMA betting sites for more competitive lines. These sites offer a range of sports and betting options, and they’re regulated in the United States.

The UFC provides MMA betting odds for most of its fights. These odds can help you decide which fighters have the best chance of winning each fight and make your bets more profitable.

MMA has a similar betting structure to boxing, with a favorite and underdog in each matchup. But because of the different fighting styles and techniques in MMA, there are a few things that should be considered when making your bets. These include stance, styles of fighters, and weight classes.