Gambling on MMA fights might seem like a foreign concept to people who are more familiar with betting on team sports, but the process is actually fairly simple. The main difference between putting down any old wager and placing a smart MMA bet lies in research. It’s important to understand the league rules and fighter styles, as well as to analyze the odds of each individual bet. This will help you make better decisions and maximize your potential for profit.

When you bet on a moneyline in MMA, you are essentially predicting which fighter will win the match. Depending on the matchup and fighting style of the two fighters, oddsmakers will assign a higher or lower probability of the favorite winning. The higher likelihood is reflected in the MMA betting odds with a minus sign (-), while the lower chance is indicated with a plus sign (+). Some fights may be considered pick’ems where neither fighter has an obvious advantage over the other, making them ideal candidates for an Over/Under total bet.

A moneyline bet can also include a spread, which places the underdog at a greater risk but offers a bigger payout. However, it is always important to consider the amount of juice that the bookmaker will be taking, which can significantly skew the odds. This is why it is important to shop around and find the best MMA betting odds before making your bets.

Another popular MMA betting option is the round-by-round bet, which involves placing a bet on which fighter will win a specific round in a given fight. This is a good way to bet on the speed of a particular fighter’s performance and can often pay off well. It is worth remembering that MMA is a striking sport, and knockouts tend to be more common than submissions in high-level matches. Therefore, it’s important to factor in the fighters’ stances when handicapping a fight, as southpaws can sometimes enjoy an edge over orthodox fighters.

The best MMA betting tips involve analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each fighter. This can be done by researching the fighters’ history, skills, and fighting styles. It is also important to look at the number of rounds they have won, as this can be an indication of their fighting style. For example, a fighter who has won fewer than three rounds is likely to be an aggressive striker while someone with more wins might be more defensive.