MMA betting bridges the adrenaline-filled world of mixed martial arts with the strategic arena of sports gambling. This high-octane sport seamlessly blends striking and grappling techniques from a wide range of disciplines to create thrilling action. This guide is designed to help you understand the nuances of mma betting and place wagers that maximize your payouts.

The most basic MMA bet is the moneyline bet. This wager is based on the likelihood that a specific fighter will win the fight. Generally, the oddsmaker will set a favorite and an underdog for each fight. Favorites will usually carry a minus symbol in front of their odds, while underdogs will display a plus sign. MMA betting odds can change from the time they are released to the night of the fight, and can be affected by injuries and other news.

Another popular MMA betting option is the over/under bet. This wager is based on how many rounds the fight will last, or on other elements such as the number of kicks or punches. The sportsbook will select a numerical value, and you can then bet over or under that amount.

Adding an over/under bet to your MMA betting experience can help you make more accurate predictions on the fight’s outcome. You can also bet on the method of victory. This type of wager requires a deeper understanding of the fighters’ styles and strengths, but it can be very profitable if your prediction is correct.

You can also place a bet on whether the fight will end by decision, knockout or submission. A decision bet wins if a fighter receives a majority vote from the judges. A knockout bet wins if the fighter lands a blow that stuns their opponent. A submission bet wins if the fighter successfully executes a technique such as an armbar or triangle choke.

Mma betting odds aren’t a true representation of the probability that a particular outcome will occur. Instead, they are designed to attract bettors on both sides of the fight and reduce the risk that the sportsbook will lose a large sum of money. These odds are based on a variety of factors, including previous matchups, recent injury histories, and the fighters’ training regimens.

In addition to betting on individual fights, you can place a bet on a full card of fights by placing a parlay bet. These bets combine multiple bets into one wager, and if all your selections win, you’ll receive a larger payout. Parlay bets are available at most reputable online sportsbooks.

When placing a bet on MMA fights, it’s important to take into account the fighters’ health and weight class. Fighters that have to cut weight before a fight often undergo extreme measures to stay below their allotted weight, and these strategies can have an impact on their performance inside the octagon. Additionally, fighters that have lost several times via KO are prone to become more cautious and may not be as effective in their next fight.