Mma betting is growing in popularity. With more and more fighters entering the octagon on a regular basis, fans have plenty of matchups to wager on. This makes it a great alternative to team sports like basketball or football. While the sport may seem intimidating to some new bettors, it actually requires a lot of research and strategy to place a winning wager. One of the biggest mistakes that bettors make is placing a bet based on emotion or their favorite fighter. While it is fine to cheer on a fighter, it is never a good idea to put money down on them unless you have done the proper research. This is especially true when placing bets on underdogs. The best way to avoid this mistake is to always look at the records and other statistics of a fighter before making a bet. It is also important to pay attention to how a fighter is performing in a particular weight class. For example, a fighter who is moving down in weight classes might have a hard time cutting and maintaining their body weight. This can affect their performance inside the octagon. Another thing to keep in mind is the fighting styles of a fighter. For example, a fighter known for her striking ability may have a difficult time defending against grappling tactics. It is also a good idea to check the records of both fighters and compare their reach, stance, and fighting styles. In addition to the standard wagers on method of victory and total rounds, MMA betting offers some exciting prop bets that can yield big payouts. These bets are based on specific aspects of the fight and can include anything from whether or not a fighter will lose by submission to how long a fight will last. This type of MMA betting is similar to the over/under wagers that are popular in other sports. Online MMA betting sites offer a wide variety of options for bettors, including parlay bets. These bets combine several picks into a single wager and often have higher payouts than individual bets on the moneyline or method of victory. However, it is important to remember that a parlay bet must win all of its individual selections in order to be successful. Choosing multiple underdogs in a parlay can increase the risk of losing, so it is important to choose wisely. In addition to offering a wide range of MMA betting options, reputable online sportsbooks provide their members with a safe and secure environment. This includes a safe deposit and withdrawal process, as well as low payment fees. This is important for MMA bettors, as many of them use credit cards to make deposits and withdrawals. It is also important to make sure the site offers a variety of basic payment methods, such as bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments. Lastly, the sportsbook should be licensed in a reputable jurisdiction and have low payment processing times.