MMA, or Mixed Martial Arts, is a full-contact sport that combines moves from several martial arts and combat sports disciplines. The sport has grown in popularity over the past two decades, surpassing boxing and filling some of the biggest stadiums across North America, Europe, and Asia. This growing interest in the sport has also led to increased MMA betting. Betting on MMA matches can be profitable if done correctly.

Taking the time to familiarize yourself with a league and its rules and fighters is one of the most important parts of MMA betting. This will help you determine the odds on a particular fight and identify areas where there is value. You should also pay close attention to the fighters’ skills, fighting styles, and performance history, as this will affect how a fight plays out.

Another area where MMA betting is often profitable is in the form of prop bets. These bets are placed on specific aspects of a fight and often offer better payouts than the standard moneyline wagers offered on other sports. While these bets can be complex, they can lead to large profits if executed properly. MMA prop bets can include method of victory, round props, and more. MMA fans can place both pre-fight and live MMA bets, though it is important to check with the laws of your state or country regarding the legality of such wagers.

One of the most popular MMA betting options is on Over/Under round totals. These bets are based on how many rounds a fight will last and range from 1.5 to 4.5 rounds. While the Over/Under wager is more complex than placing a standard moneyline bet, it can yield much larger payouts. This is especially true for a fighter who wins by knockout.

A key part of MMA betting is analyzing a fighter’s performance history, as this will help you predict how well they will perform in upcoming bouts. This is especially true if you are looking at two fighters with similar experience levels. In this case, it is often better to back the younger fighter, as they have likely had more opportunities to hone their skills and refine their style.

In addition to a fighter’s performance history, it is important to consider their history of weight cuts. This is because extreme dehydration can lessen the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, making a fighter more susceptible to a knockout. Paying close attention to the weigh-ins will help you spot fighters who have struggled with their weight cut and may be at a disadvantage.

In addition to betting on individual fights, MMA fans can place bets on entire cards and even entire seasons of a given league. These types of bets are called parlay bets, and they can increase your winnings significantly if you do your research. However, you should always check the laws of your state or country before placing a parlay bet. Some states and countries do not allow these bets, while others have laws that are more liberal in this regard.