MMA betting has grown quickly in recent years, and many sportsbooks offer a variety of wagering options on a wide array of fights. If you’re a newcomer to this exciting form of sports betting, there are a few things you should know before placing your first bet.

Betting on MMA is similar to betting on other sports but with a few important differences. For starters, MMA betting is typically more profitable than betting on other sports because it involves more variance and unknown factors.

Variance in MMA means that one lucky punch can make the difference between a favorite and an underdog. The sport also requires a certain amount of knowledge and expertise to understand the odds, so it’s important to spend some time learning about the MMA rules, history, and fighters before you place your bets.

You’ll also want to study the upcoming UFC events to see if any favorable line moves are happening that you can take advantage of. This can help you to pick the best bets on each round of a fight, as well as the overall winner.

Bets on MMA are available in several forms, including straight bets, accumulators, parlays, and props. Generally, parlays involve more risk than accumulators, but they can pay out much higher sums if the bets are correctly placed.

The Over/Under (or total) bet is a type of wager in which you’re betting on the length of a fight, usually given in rounds. This bet is similar to those in football, basketball, or baseball. However, the length of an MMA fight can vary significantly because fighters have different styles and techniques, so it’s important to know your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses before placing your bets.

When you’re deciding on the right bet, read all of the published terms and conditions at your sportsbook. This will help you to understand what happens if certain situations arise during the fight, such as if a fighter is disqualified or if the bout ends in a draw.

There are a number of ways to place bets on MMA matches, but the most popular are to place bets on both sides of an event. This can be a great way to maximize your winnings and reduce your risk at the same time.

Live betting is another option for MMA bettors, and this can be an effective way to hedge your bets and limit your losses. This is particularly useful in the case of a popular fight that’s drawing a lot of attention.

Using a sportsbook that offers live betting is a great way to bet on MMA, as you can watch the action unfold in real-time and see how each fighter performs. The odds are updated throughout the fight, so you can jump in as soon as they look good.

You should always check out the odds for each match, but don’t be afraid to shop around for a better price. It’s easy to find a sportsbook that offers a better price than others, and these slight changes add up in the end.