Mixed martial arts is a thrilling sport that combines striking and grappling techniques from a wide range of martial art disciplines. As it becomes increasingly popular worldwide, betting on MMA has emerged as a profitable and exciting way for fans to engage with the sport. While a winning wager requires more than just luck, a well-rounded approach to the sport can help you maximize your odds of success. In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of MMA betting and offer tips to help you win your next bet.

Moneyline bets are the most common MMA betting option. They’re simple to understand and are based on the likelihood that your fighter will win the fight. A bet on McGregor to win against Poirier would be placed at +175/-200. This means that if McGregor wins the fight you win your bet, if Poirier wins the fight you lose your bet, or if the fight ends in a draw then your bet is lost.

Method of victory bets are a fun MMA betting option that allow you to place a bet on precisely how a particular fight will end. These bets generally fall into three categories: KO/TKO, submission, and decision. If a fighter falls unconscious from a punch or kick, it’s a KO/TKO. If a fighter taps out while in a choke or joint lock, it’s a submission. If the referee stops the fight after a certain number of rounds, it’s a decision.

In addition to the main event bets, MMA fighting also features many prop, future, and live bets that can boost your payouts. Prop bets, or proposition bets, are wagers on specific occurrences in a fight and are usually available at greater and often more profitable odds than moneyline bets. They can include a variety of bets, from who will score the first knockdown to what round a fight will end in. Combined with methods of victory and round bets, these can make for an excellent parlay bet.

Often when bettors size up a fight, they look at the records of the two fighters. However, this can be misleading as a fighter’s record often reflects the quality of his or her opponents. For example, if one fighter has only lost to elite-level competition while the other has defeated much more inferior foes, then this may give the latter a false sense of confidence.

Stats are a great tool for MMA betting, but don’t rely on them too heavily. There are often personal vendettas, rematches, and other issues at play that don’t show up in the numbers. While it’s important to know takedown numbers, the average rounds fought, and recent form, be sure to study the fighters’ styles as well. This will ensure that you’re not making a bet purely on statistics. If you can’t get a clear picture of the fighters’ abilities from their stats alone, then it’s time to consult the experts. This will help you determine whether your bet is a safe play or not.