MMA betting takes place at online sportsbooks, where bettors can place wagers on all aspects of an upcoming fight. The majority of the action tends to revolve around simple bets predicting who will win, but there are also many other types of bets. These include over/under and round bets, as well as prop bets that focus on specific outcomes. Prop bets typically offer higher payouts than standard wagers, but they come with a greater level of risk.
To make smart MMA betting decisions, bettors should do careful research and develop a strategy. This includes studying each fighter’s fighting style and comparing their records against other opponents. In addition, it is important to consider how each fighter performs under pressure. For example, some fighters may struggle when they are pressed up against the cage or when their back is to the wall. This can have a major impact on the outcome of a fight, so bettors should take these factors into account.
One type of MMA bet is the method of victory prop. This bet is similar to the over/under in basketball, and it predicts how the winner of a fight will earn their victory. There are three ways to win a fight in MMA: knockout, submission, or judge decision (score). To place this bet, you must know how each fighter usually wins their matches. The bettor can choose between the different methods of victory and each one has its own odds. The underdog is indicated with a plus sign while the favorite is shown with a minus sign. A $100 bet on Ferguson would yield a return of $230 if he won the fight by submission.
In addition to analyzing fighting styles and stats, bettors should consider the role of a fighter’s promoters, judges, and the press. In addition, they should watch training camp and pay attention to how a fighter behaves in high-pressure situations. This will help them determine whether they are likely to break a rule that should result in a loss, or be given special treatment by corrupt judges.
Another important factor to keep in mind is that MMA fights often go through late changes. When this happens, it is best to avoid betting on replacement fighters. These fighters usually have less than a month to prepare for their match, and in UFC history they have lost 64% of the time.
Bettors should also look at the number of wins and losses a fighter has against other fighters in the same weight class. This is important because fighters can have very different styles that can conflict with each other. For example, two strikers might have very different fighting styles, and this can lead to a close fight. In this case, it is a good idea to bet on the winner by round. This bet can be placed on individual rounds or the total number of rounds in the entire fight. In addition, bettors can place parlays, which combine multiple individual bets for a larger payout.