The MMA betting market has seen dramatic growth in recent years, as the sport of mixed martial arts continues to grow in popularity. While the UFC has led the way, other MMA promotions also host regular televised cards and monthly Pay-Per-View events that fill some of the world’s largest sports stadiums. As more MMA fans become interested in the sport, many of them are looking to start betting on fights and trying their luck at winning big payouts.

MMA is unlike other major sports in that it doesn’t use standard point spreads to determine odds on a single bet type. Instead, a fighter’s odds in an MMA fight are listed with either a plus (+) or minus (-) sign. The larger the number, the less likely a bookie believes that fighter will win the fight. While these odds aren’t as widely available at local bookies, a quality online MMA betting site can offer these bets in addition to over/under, round bets and method of victory bets.

When making a bet on an MMA fight, it is important to consider how a fighter’s style will match up with their opponent. This is especially true if the fighter is coming off a loss to a similar opponent. For example, a fighter that suffered a knockout loss to a southpaw opponent can often lose their edge inside the octagon and become overly cautious in future fights against opponents of a similar style.

Another important factor to consider when placing a bet on an MMA fight is the weight class in which both fighters compete in. Fighters are grouped into specific weight classes or divisions to help them manage their diet and performance levels. Oftentimes, a fighter will move up or down in weight classes depending on their success and the competition they face. For this reason, it’s important for MMA bettors to research how these fighters perform at different weights and compare their past opponents when placing a bet on an upcoming fight.

Using research and analysis to make a bet on an MMA fight can be very profitable. However, it is important to avoid making blind bets on favorite fighters every fight. This can be very costly and quickly drain a bankroll. Instead, it’s recommended to do your research and bet on underdogs in the right situations.

One of the best ways to find value in a bet on an MMA fight involves studying the fighters’ fighting styles. Understanding how these styles match up can give bettors a significant edge over the bookies. Similarly, bettors should consider a fighter’s stance as well. For example, orthodox fighters may have an advantage against southpaws that lack the proper footwork to defend the dominant position.