Before placing a wager on a fight, it is important to do your research. This includes studying fighter statistics such as strikes landed, strikes absorbed, takedown defense and more. It is also a good idea to set a realistic budget that you can afford to gamble with. This will help you avoid making gambling mistakes and prevent you from chasing your losses.

The odds of a fight are one of the most important factors to consider when placing a bet on an MMA event. Odds are typically presented in a moneyline format where the favorite will be indicated by a minus sign (-) and the underdog will be indicated by a plus sign (+). The odds indicate how much you can win for your wager, per $100. A $100 bet on the favorite will yield a $200 profit, while a $100 bet on the underdog will yield a $150 profit.

In addition to the moneyline wager, MMA bettors can also make over/under rounds bets. Over/Under rounds bets are based on the number of total rounds that are scheduled for the fight, as well as the fighters’ fighting styles. The Over/Under round bet can be a great place to find value as the underdog often has a better chance of winning in a few rounds.

If you are looking to make a more advanced bet, Method of Victory bets are available for many MMA events. These bets are based on the probability of a fighter winning via a decision, submission or TKO. Oftentimes, these bets are more lucrative than the standard straight bet. However, be sure to read the rules carefully as a few missteps can quickly put you out of business.

Lastly, if you want to place a bet during the fight itself, there is live betting available for MMA events. This type of betting allows you to place bets during the actual fight, and the odds are constantly changing based on how the action is unfolding. However, it is important to remember that the results of the match will still affect the payout of your bet.

Mma is a highly competitive sport, and underdogs are often able to pull off significant upsets. This is particularly true for upcoming fights where the oddsmakers haven’t had the opportunity to fully analyze each competitor. If you’re a fan of the underdog, do your homework and study up on the fighting styles of each opponent. This will give you a better understanding of their chances of winning and allow you to place smart bets that offer big payouts. In addition, be sure to check out the fighter’s past performance history to see how they have fared against their current competition. You should also pay attention to the news surrounding a fight to see how it might impact the odds. This is known as line shopping, and it’s an essential strategy for any MMA sharp bettor. Line shopping is especially crucial in the UFC, where a slight change in odds can mean the difference between a winner and a loser.