The MMA (mixed martial arts) betting scene has seen explosive growth over the past decade and highly popularized fights can attract the same attention as a top-tier professional sports event. Betting on MMA can be a fun and lucrative activity, but there are certain aspects to consider that can make or break your wagers.

In MMA betting, bettors can place wagers on a fighter to win the match straight up or against the spread. Some more advanced bettors try to predict how many rounds a match will last or look at stylistic matchups in which one fighter has an advantage over the other. The most important consideration when placing MMA bets is to gain a strong understanding of the fighting styles and how they match up with each other.

Unlike some other sports, MMA is a relatively newer sport when it comes to regulated betting and the oddsmakers have less experience in setting lines. This can often lead to inflated odds on favorites and underdogs, but there are still some opportunities for smart bettors to find advantageous MMA betting odds. In particular, the MMA props, or prop bets, can offer some real value, as sportsbooks will move the odds to balance the action on both sides of a line when an overwhelming amount of public money is coming in on a single side.

Mma wagers can be made on a variety of different outcomes in a fight, but the most common is a bet on which fighter will win by knockout or submission. In addition to these more traditional wagers, MMA fans can also place bets on the number of total rounds in a fight (over/under), and method-of-victory bets, which allow bettors to wager on how a specific fighter will win (ITD, KO, or decision).

It’s important for bettors to study a fighter’s record before placing a bet. In particular, a fighter’s MMA record against higher-level competition can be an indication of how well they will perform in the next fight. In general, fighters that have experienced more high-level competition will be better prepared and can adapt quicker throughout a fight than those that have only faced inferior opponents.