MMA betting is an exciting way to engage with the sport, but it can also be risky. The key to a successful wager is understanding the odds and knowing which types of bets are available. By learning the various bet types, conducting thorough research and managing your bankroll responsibly, you can enjoy the thrill of MMA betting while potentially earning payouts.

The most common bet type in mma betting is the money line, which gives an indication of how much you can win per $100 bet. This MMA bet type is based on factors such as fighter skills, fighting styles and performance history against other fighters; it also takes into account any relevant matchup strengths or weaknesses. A fighter’s stance – orthodox or southpaw – should be considered as well since it can have an impact on how they fight.

Mma betting offers a variety of other bet types, including method of victory and round props. These bets require a deeper level of knowledge of the fighters’ styles and strengths, and can result in higher payouts than traditional bets on who will win. In addition, MMA bettors can place live bets during a fight, which allows them to take advantage of dynamic odds that change based on the action inside the octagon.

Another popular MMA betting option is the over/under on how many rounds a fight will last. This bet type involves predicting whether the fight will end by a knockout, submission or decision, and can be placed both pre-event and during the fight. Depending on the matchup, the over/under can be a lucrative MMA bet type.

As a general rule, a larger fighter is more likely to win than a smaller one, but there are exceptions. Smaller fighters can be very competitive against bigger opponents, especially if they have a lot of speed and skill. In these cases, it is worth looking at the fighter’s performance history against other fighters of a similar size.

Mma bettors should be mindful of a fighter’s weight cut lead-up to the fight. A fighter who has to make a late weight cut can be drained and may not perform at their best on fight day. They may be forced to skip meals, overtrain or even starve themselves in order to make the weight limit, and this can have a negative impact on their performance.

Mma bettors should also be mindful of the judging system in place for this sport. In a majority decision, a fighter must score more points on two judges’ scorecards to be declared the winner. If a fighter receives more points on one judge’s scorecard than the other, the fight will be a split decision and the underdog will win. In these instances, it is a good idea to place a bet on the fighter with the lower total number of points.