MMA betting is one of the fastest growing sports and offers a variety of wagering options. From moneyline bets to method of victory props, MMA betting can be a fun way to watch fights and earn a profit. However, bettors need to know a few key things before placing their wagers.

First, bettors should take a close look at the fighters’ records and the opposition they have faced. It is important to note that inside a certain weight class, there will be a lot of crossover in terms of opponents. For example, a fighter may have lost to a foe that their current opponent defeated. This can lead to some bettors doing what is called MMA Math and thinking that since FIGHTER A beat FIGHTER B, they should win this fight. This is a dangerous thought process because it takes away from studying fighter styles and looking at their overall records.

Another key thing bettors need to look at is a fighter’s style and the matchup with their opponents’ stances. In MMA, fighters can be either orthodox or southpaw, and the style of a fighter is often a big advantage in a matchup. For instance, a southpaw fighter may be able to get their opponents in a stance that they are not used to fighting from and cause them problems in the form of strikes or submissions.

When betting on a MMA fight, bettors can also place a number of prop bets that offer more specific odds and higher payouts. These bets can include a fighter’s round count, the number of rounds a fight will last, and the method by which a fight will end. Method of victory bets allow bettors to bet on whether the fight will end via knockout, technical knockout, or by submission. The decision and KO/TKO bets require a referee to stop the fight, while a submission bet will be settled if a fighter taps out or if their cornermen throw in the towel.

Round totals are another popular MMA betting option and can be profitable. Depending on the matchup, fighters’ styles, and the number of rounds scheduled, oddsmakers will set an Over/Under round total for the fight. They will then adjust the prices on the Over and Under, known as the vig or juice, to reflect the implied probability of the Round total being reached.

Bettors can also make a parlay bet, which combines multiple selections on the same betting slip. A parlay bet requires all selections to win for the bet to pay out, making it a riskier wager than simply picking one side of the fight. However, if you do hit a parlay, the payoffs can be quite large. For example, a $100 parlay bet on Oliveira, Albazi, and Yadong to win would return $750 if all three were victorious. This type of bet is not recommended for beginners, as it can be easy to lose track of your bets.