MMA or Mixed Martial Arts is a full-contact combat sport that incorporates techniques from boxing, wrestling, karate, jiu-jitsu and other disciplines. Its athletes compete in men’s and women’s divisions spanning several weight classes. A fighter can win a fight by a knockout, judges’ points or a unanimous decision. Despite being derided by purists as a bloodthirsty sport without boxing’s grace, MMA has grown into one of the most popular sports in the world.

When betting on MMA matches, it is important to understand the different types of bets and how each can affect your overall winning potential. For example, you should take into account the fighting styles of each fighter as well as their strength and weaknesses. Additionally, you should also pay attention to a fighter’s weight history and record, as this can significantly affect their performance.

Money line: The most common type of MMA betting, this involves placing a bet on which fighter you think will win the fight. This bet is typically based on the fighters’ records and current form, as well as their fighting style and strategy. The odds for each fighter will be listed, with the favorite typically having lower odds than the underdog.

Over/Under rounds: This MMA betting market allows you to place a bet on how many rounds the match will last for. You can make this bet on a single round or multiple rounds, with some bookmakers offering the option to place bets on a combination of these markets (e.g. Over 3.5 rounds).

Method of victory: This bet type is similar to the moneyline, but requires you to predict the method of victory of a particular fight. This can be a knockout, submission or judges’ points/decision. Some MMA betting sites allow you to place bets on both individual methods and their combined total, which can increase your winning potential.

Pay attention to the weigh-ins: Paying close attention to a fighter’s weigh-ins can give you valuable insight into how they will perform on the night of the fight. For example, if a fighter has struggled through an extreme dehydration process during their weight cut, they may be more susceptible to a knockout in the first few rounds of a fight.

Parlay bets: MMA bouts often feature heavy favorites, and parlaying your bets is a great way to maximize your profits. By combining the legs of your bet, you can create large wagers with increased odds, which will increase your chances of winning. However, be careful not to bet with emotion – it’s easy to become a fan of a particular fighter and back them all the time, but don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Always check out the underdogs as they can provide some big payouts.