MMA betting is one of the fastest-growing markets at sportsbooks and online sites. Although MMA is still a relatively new sport, it has become wildly popular and the fast-paced fights lend themselves to prematch and live betting opportunities. There are many different types of MMA bets, including moneyline bets and point spread bets. In addition to these wagers, MMA bettors can also place prop bets, which are bets on specific aspects of a match.

Before placing a bet, bettors should consider a fighter’s record, fighting style, strengths and weaknesses, and any injuries or recent performance history. They should also be familiar with the rules of the specific league in which they are betting. In addition, bettors should study the fighters’ records against the same opponents they are facing. This will help them understand how to compare the odds and expected payouts of each bet.

There are a variety of betting options when it comes to mma, but bettors should avoid placing single bets on overwhelming favorites. The reason behind this is that when you bet on a favorite, the likelihood of winning will be lower than if you backed an underdog. This is because the oddsmakers have factored in a fighter’s past performance when setting their odds. Moreover, bettors should be wary of parlaying their MMA bets. This is a bet that combines multiple individual wagers into one larger bet, which returns a higher profit.

Another thing that bettors should keep in mind is the age gap between fighters. In general, younger fighters have a better win percentage than older ones. This is because of the difference in the way they fight. Younger fighters are more agile and tend to knock out their opponents more often than older ones. This is why you should pay attention to the age gap between two fighters when making MMA bets.

Aside from a fighter’s age, bettors should also be aware of their weight classes. This is because some fighters may struggle to make their weight classes in the lead-up to a fight, which can affect how they perform on the day of the fight. For example, extreme dehydration can cause a fighter to lose brain fluid, which makes them more susceptible to a knockout.

Lastly, bettors should also be mindful of a fighter’s performance at weigh-ins. This is because some fighters will go through drastic measures to ensure that they make their weight class, and this can impact how they perform on the night of the fight. For instance, fighters who struggle to cut weight might experience extreme dehydration and starvation. This can reduce the amount of cerebrospinal fluid in their brain, which can affect their ability to think clearly and react quickly.

Unlike other sports, where bettors can place a wager on which team will win a game, MMA is a full-contact sport. Therefore, a judge’s decision will determine the winner of the fight, which means that it will be much harder to predict a winner based on who wins a round. Judges take into account a variety of factors when determining the winner, including effective striking, grappling, and dominance.