MMA betting is a newer form of sports wagering in comparison to other sports, but it still accounts for a significant share of total wagers at many online and land-based sportsbooks. Its popularity is largely due to the UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization and its growing global reputation.

Betting on MMA fights can be profitable, but there are many factors that influence a fighter’s success in the sport. These include their skill, fighting style, and performance history. In addition, there are various bet types that can help you make a profit in the sport, such as moneyline bets and over/under bets on the number of rounds a fight will last.

Over/Under Rounds

In MMA, fights often last multiple rounds before a winner is determined. Those who bet on over/under rounds try to predict the length of a fight by placing their bets on the side that has a better chance of winning. In a UFC fight, this market is usually set at 2.5 rounds, so if the oddsmakers predict that a fighter will beat the clock and win before the 2.5-round mark, they’ll win their bet.

Total Rounds

The total rounds market in MMA is similar to that of boxing. The main difference is that fights in MMA don’t go as far as they do in boxing, so the total rounds bets are more likely to be based on the number of rounds that a fight lasts before it ends. The most common total rounds in MMA are 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5.

This market can be a good way to place a bet on a fighter’s style of fighting, as defensive fighters typically take longer to win. In contrast, aggressive fighters are more likely to win by taking over early in the fight and going the distance.

When a fighter comes off a bad knockout loss, they can become more cautious and less effective inside the octagon. They may even change their approach and lose a few of the nuances that made them successful in the first place.

It’s also not uncommon for a fighter to pull out of a fight at the last minute. This is why it’s important to read the news and look at the fighters’ form and record before making a bet on a particular matchup.

Aside from over/under bets, MMA has many prop bets. These bets are designed to offer more excitement and payoff than the standard moneyline or over/under bets.

MMA prop bets come in all shapes and sizes, but they tend to have higher odds than regular moneyline and over/under bets. These bets are typically offered on fights that have a lot of public interest and are closely matched.

Some of these bets can be complicated, but they are a good way to increase your potential profits in MMA. These bets can also be combined into parlays, which are complimentary bets that depend on several parts of the bet coming true.