MMA betting is a popular way to make money on fights. But it’s important to understand the risks associated with this type of wagering before you start placing your bets.

MMA betting odds are not fixed and can change as the fight unfolds. This makes it a riskier investment but can also increase your chances of winning.

The best MMA betting strategy involves careful research and analysis of the matchups. It’s important to study fighters’ histories and their strengths, weaknesses and strategies. It’s also a good idea to check out the latest news and rumors about each opponent.

Underdogs vs Favorites: This is one of the most basic types of MMA bets. Typically, underdogs have higher odds than favorites. This means that sportsbooks believe the underdog will win the match.

There are many reasons why an underdog might win the fight, including their striking skills, strength in certain areas or just their overall athleticism. However, the best way to find a successful underdog bet is to analyze the matchup and select a fighter who has a history of winning in their weight class.

Handicap Betting: This is a less popular bet but can pay out big. A handicap bet is a bet that allows you to predict the winner of a fight by a specific number of points. This bet type usually offers better odds than betting on a winner by knockout or submission.

Over/Under Bets: These are a popular way to bet on MMA. This bet is based on the total number of rounds in the matchup and offers a better payout than simply betting on the winner.

Parlay Bets: These are another popular type of MMA bet, but they can be riskier. You’ll need to be correct on all of the fight outcomes in your parlay to win, so it’s essential to bet carefully and use sound strategies.

Late Replacements: Sometimes, fighters pull out of a fight before the scheduled date. This can happen for several reasons, including injury or poor preparation. The average odds of a replacement fighter are +181, meaning that they generally take the underdog role in the fight.

MMA betting has its fair share of controversy. The sport was rocked by James Krause’s involvement in mma gambling, which saw him acting as an intermediary or agent between an offshore sportsbook and bettors in 2019.

This led to a lot of debate and confusion about the integrity of MMA betting. Holt pointed out that the line movement was suspicious, but it was only a small part of an extensive pattern of activity.

Aside from the suspicious line movement, sportsbooks were also noticing bettors betting on prop bets that didn’t have any basis in reality. For example, some bettors were putting money on an MMA match to end in a draw, which isn’t common. This was a violation of the sport’s rules and could lead to a bad outcome for all concerned.

There are also some other unique MMA betting options, such as method of victory bets. These bets involve predicting who will win by knockout, submission or judge decision.