MMA betting is an exciting and lucrative venture for sports bettors who take the time to research fights and understand how odds are made. Whether you’re betting on individual fights or entire cards, there are several different types of bets available, and many ways to find value in your wagers. To be successful, you must combine careful research and smart bankroll management with a deep understanding of the sport and its fighters.

Moneyline and Over/Under bets are the most popular MMA wagers. These bets are similar to those placed on football or basketball games, with odds posted for each fighter based on their likelihood of winning the matchup. Typically, underdog fighters will have a negative number while favorites will have a positive number. The higher the negative number, the more likely a bookmaker believes that a fighter will lose.

When placing a bet on a specific fighter, it’s important to consider their record and style when evaluating the odds. Often, bettors will use what’s known as “MMA math,” where they look at a fighter’s losses and wins against opponents of a similar size. However, this can mislead bettors and distract them from analyzing the fighters’ styles and weaknesses. In addition, bettors should also consider a fighter’s stance — orthodox vs. southpaw – as it can often have a significant impact on their performance in MMA.

Another way to find value in MMA betting is to make sure that you shop around for the best odds on a given fight. There are a number of reputable online sportsbooks that offer competitive odds and a variety of wagers. By shopping around, you can often find more advantageous prices on both MMA moneyline and prop bets.

Another popular MMA betting option is to parlay your bets. This strategy can increase your chances of winning by combining multiple legs into one large bet, which will result in greater odds than individual leg bets. However, be sure to check the rules of your sportsbook before placing a parlay bet.