If you’re interested in betting on mma fights, it’s important to understand how odds work. Unlike point spreads in football, MMA odds showcase how much you can win if you place a bet on a particular fighter. In general, favorites are expected to win and offer a lower payout than underdogs. This is reflected in their moneyline odds, where a minus symbol is used to denote a favorite and a plus symbol is used to denote an underdog.
In addition to moneyline bets, MMA fans can also place over/under bets on the number of rounds a fight will last. This bet is typically made on a specific round of the fight, and it can be placed as late as just before the start of that round. The over/under bet will win if the total number of rounds reaches the amount set by the sportsbook.
Method of victory bets are another popular MMA betting market. These bets are based on how a competitor will win a fight, including via submission, technical knockout, or judges’ scorecards (including a draw). These bets are available at many sportsbooks and can be placed in the live betting window during the fight.
Successful MMA betting requires thorough research and analysis of fighters’ records, fighting styles, injuries, and weight/reach differences. It’s also vital to study each fighter’s performance in their previous fights and compare their opponents’ records. Using this information can help you make informed decisions and find value bets.
The most basic MMA bet is the moneyline bet, which allows you to choose which fighter will win a given fight. This bet type offers a straightforward way to bet on the winner of a fight and is the best option for beginners. You can bet on the moneyline for each fight, and the payout will depend on how well you select a fighter.
Mma betting can also be found on props, parlays (accumulators), and over/under bets. Over/under bets are a popular choice, as they can result in larger payouts than individual wagers. However, it’s important to remember that over/under bets have a higher risk than single bets, and you must correctly predict the outcome of multiple events to win.
Several people with ties to the sport have spoken out about gambling on MMA fights, and while UFC president Dana White insists that his organization doesn’t allow such activity, it is widely believed that many fighters and coaches are gamblers. In an attempt to determine how widespread this practice is, ESPN spoke to a dozen people with ties to the sport who were willing to speak anonymously. The results of the investigation are mixed, but it’s clear that a large number of fighters and coaches bet on MMA fights. In some cases, this wagering amounts to tens of thousands of dollars per fight. Many bettors use a strategy called “MMA math,” which involves comparing a fighter’s past opponent to their current one. This is a flawed approach that distracts from studying fighting styles and understanding a fight’s context.