Betting on mixed martial arts (MMA) fights is a complex endeavor with various wager types and payout options available. Understanding odds and placing smart bets are integral components of success in this sport; due to its complexities it is vital to conduct in-depth research about fighters including their records, injuries sustained, weight class classification and training styles before betting wisely for profitable returns on your wagers.

There are various forms of MMA betting, from moneyline and method of victory bets, round and total rounds bets and increasingly popular prop bets (from predicting exactly which round a fight will end to whether it will go the distance), to individual bets or parlays with increased potential payouts. Props offer depth and complexity to any MMA betting experience but should also be seen as potentially risky ventures.

Moneyline betting is the easiest and most straightforward form of MMA gambling, involving simply placing a bet on which fighter will win the fight. Moneyline bets may be placed either on an underdog or favorite fighter; underdog bets often provide greater returns as favorites are more expected to prevail than underdogs; therefore putting your bet on an unlikely winner can often yield significant profits, especially early rounds.

Betting on the number of rounds an MMA bout will last is another popular form of betting in MMA, and sportsbooks will set an Over/Under price based on oddsmakers’ estimation of its likelihood.

One option available to bettors when placing wagers on specific fights is betting on the type of decision rendered in a fight. There are three main types: unanimous (all three judges score the fight for one fighter), split decision and majority decision – with bets placed on split and majority decisions typically having much greater pay-out potential than bets placed on unanimous decisions.

Round betting in MMA involves wagering on which round a fight will end – this could be either knockout, submission, or decision. To win this type of bet you must accurately predict which round the fight will end and correctly predict its winner to avoid taking on too much risk with moneyline bets. Round betting has proven popular among bettors who wish to limit risk with their gambling activities.