Best Ufc Odds
- UFC Future Champion Specials View all odds View all odds Francis Ngannou to become UFC heavyweight champion before January 2022 1/3 Leon Edwards to become UFC welterweight champion before January 2022 4/1 Darren Till to become UFC middleweight champion.
- UFC Fight Island 8 Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets! Stumberg 1/20/2021 Tiger Woods has a long, uncertain road ahead after California crash, emergency doctor says.
- How UFC betting works. The most basic UFC bet will look familiar to those who are experienced with the moneyline, but there are also several other bets that are unique to the sport. Let’s take a look at the standard ways that you can bet on the UFC. Moneyline: A bet on which fighter will win outright. The favorite will be designated with negative odds.
- UFC
And whether it’s top of the bill in Las Vegas or the opening fight of UFC Fight Night, we’ve got UFC odds on every event in the calendar. It doesn’t matter whether you know exactly what UFC betting market you want to bet on, or are simply just browsing our UFC odds to find the best.
If you want to learn about how to bet on UFC fights, you’ve come to the right place.
Before you can start wagering, it’s essential to understand how the sport works. You’ll need to know the rules, fighters, and how to calculate UFC odds before you can make any accurate selections.
Contents
That’s where we’ve got you covered. Our guide will take you through everything you need to know about betting on UFC. With our tips, you’ll learn more about making predictions and choosing the best picks for your wagers. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to bet on UFC.
Without further ado, let’s delve into this blood sport’s details and how to bet on UFC matches.
Learn How to Bet on UFC Fights: Know the Rules of the Cage
Before you can learn anything about how to bet on UFC fights, you need to know the cage’s rules. If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “Two men enter, one man leaves,” you’d know that these fights aren’t for the faint of heart.
While not a fight to the death, knockouts occur, and injuries aren’t uncommon when you’re receiving such blows. If you’re at all interested in profitable betting and understanding UFC odds, you need to know the rules:
- Fights must occur in a ring or fenced area (the cage), and mouthguards are mandatory.
- Men must wear groin protectors, while women are required to wear a protective chest piece. Fighters must wear gloves that weigh between four to six ounces.
- Each bout lasts five rounds of five minutes each, with a one-minute rest in between.
- Three judges evaluate the match from various vantage points outside the ring. They keep an eye on the fighter techniques such as striking, grappling, control of the cage, aggressiveness, and defense, using a 10-point scoring system.
- The referee may not be one of these officials.
- Spitting, kicking the head of a downed opponent, and hair-pulling are three of the 31 different fouls. If a fighter commits a series of these offenses, the referee must call for a DQ.
Some fighters skirt the lines of these rules, which can affect your UFC predictions. They use these regulations to create or enhance their styles, and, if you know the rules, you can understand how combatants’ techniques and judges’ votes can influence the outcome of a fight. That’ll help you learn how to bet on UFC matches.
The Difference Between MMA and UFC: A Little History
People rarely understand that there are some differences between MMA and the UFC. When people talk about mixed martial arts, they’re often talking about the Ultimate Fighting Championship instead. Are there any real differences between the two?
Yes, and no.
MMA is a sport, not a league or an institution. The UFC, on the other hand, organizes the fights. In other words, the Championship is to MMA as the NBA is to basketball. Everyone can become a mixed martial artist, but not all these fighters can compete with the best in the UFC.
Interestingly, MMA rules can vary significantly from one organization to the next, while all UFC fights must obey the rules we mentioned before. Some MMA tournaments have very lax regulations, and contests can become incredibly dangerous.
For example, in Japan, fighters can continue to kick their opponent’s head, even if they’re down. In United Fighting Championship matches, that’ll get you disqualified. That’s why it’s essential to study the rules when you’re learning how to bet on UFC bouts.
Best Ufc Event
The Early Beginnings of MMA vs. the UFC
While there’s no real way to pinpoint when MMA first started, we have a good idea of when one of the first examples took place.
It was essentially a publicity stunt, Muhammad Ali, one of the great boxers in existence, faced off against a famous Japanese professional wrestler, Antonio Inoki.
It was a terrible fight. Neither competitor was aware it was supposed to be a real fight until they were told in the last round. Inoki dropped to his back, crawled up to Ali, and started kicking the boxer’s legs repeatedly. However, Ali had no interest in wrestling with Inoki and remained standing. The fight was a draw, but it laid the groundwork for a unique, bloody future sport.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has similar origins. However, instead of being an unplanned fiasco, the UFC was the ultimate bloodsport. Fighters from across the world came together to show their skills, determined to prove that their fighting style was the best. It was brutal and had only three rules: no groin strikes, no eye-gouging, no biting.
There were no rounds or safeguards, and competitors would keep fighting until someone tapped out or a KO occurred.
It was only after Dana White bought the UFC that it started cleaning up its act, becoming the sport we know today. After establishing the Unified Rules of MMA in 2001, the Championship elected to abide by the regulations, laying its groundwork to become what it is today.
How to Read UFC Betting Odds
We’re on to another of our UFC betting tips: reading and interpreting the odds. Before you can start wagering on the fights, you need to know how to read the odds and use them to your advantage.
Like many other sports, the negative value represents the favorite in UFC betting odds. Underdogs, on the other hand, have a higher number, usually indicated by a plus sign.
For example, let’s say that Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov goes up against the insane Conor “The Notorious One” McGregor. Nurmagomedov is one of the most successful, undefeated MMA fighters, and his Sambo techniques have left many a combatant – McGregor included – on the floor.
However, by Nurmagomedov’s admission, Connor is the fighter who poses the biggest challenge. Now, let’s imagine that you get the following UFC betting odds for this fight:
- Nurmagomedov -150
- McGregor +110
The Eagle, being undefeated, would naturally be the favorite. However, McGregor is no slouch, and he’d be a hard underdog to keep down.
Now, let’s say you're going to be betting on UFC matches between these two combatants. If you wagered $100 on McGregor, you could win $110 if he’s victorious. However, if you bet on Nurmagomedov, you’d need to put down $150 to win another $100.
While it’s essential to understand the odds as part of knowing how to bet on UFC, you also need to know what types of bets you can place:
UFC Moneyline
Also called match betting, a moneyline wager is probably the simplest type of bet to understand. You need only pick a winner, and if your mauler walks away with the victory, you’ll get your cash. The UFC betting odds for these matches are rather average unless there’s a clear favorite.
UFC Over/Under
Over/Under bets are relatively easy wagers to place when betting on UFC fights. A bookie will list a particular time, and you need to bet on whether the fight will end before or after the named period.
For example, the Nurmagomedov-McGregor match would likely get a 1.5 round Over Under, since both fighters are aggressive. The fight must end before 2.5 minutes in the second round to win this bet as an under bet. For an over wager, the match must cross the 2.5-minute mark in round two.
You might see Over Under 2.5 round listings, meaning that the bout must pass or end by the third round’s 2.5-minute mark.
Finally, you’ll see Over Under 3.5 round, which means that the match must cross the halfway mark in the fourth round. This listing is standard for championship matches, and you should shop around for the best UFC betting odds before wagering.
UFC Prop Bets
There are a lot of different types of prop bets. If you want to have some fun, you need to know how to bet on UFC events that fall under this category.
For example, you can bet on whether a fight will “Go the Distance.” That means that the match needs to last the full five rounds.
You can also wager on “Inside the Distance.” Like the bet mentioned above, this type means that you need to bet on your UFC pick to win within a certain number of rounds.
Round and Method of Victory bets may also be considered prop wagers. Keep in mind that the UFC betting odds for prop bets are usually quite risky. You’ll have to shop around to get the best ones and compare different sportsbooks before making a wager.
However, these longer UFC odds can also result in lucrative wins. Don’t shy away from prop bets entirely; just make informed decisions.
UFC Round Betting / Total Rounds
A Round, or Total Rounds bet requires a bettor to pick the round they think the match will end in. There are five rounds, and you need to select just the round, not a specific time. For example, if you think that Nurmagomedov will drop McGregor in the fourth round, he’s your UFC pick for the Round Bet.
UFC Method of Victory Wagers
If you want to learn how to bet on UFC fights, you need to know your fighters. These men and women follow different disciplines, and each one prefers to end their matches uniquely.
Try to get a good idea of how each fighter prefers to end a matchup. It’s one of the best UFC betting tips we can give.
You can’t determine your UFC picks if you don’t know how fighters like to drop their opponents. There are four ways a match can end:
- Knockout (KO)
- Technical Knockout (TKO)
- Decision (Judges)
- Submission
Depending on a fighter’s style, he might prefer a knockout over a submission, while others might find themselves locked in battle until the judges render a decision.
A knockout is self-explanatory, and we shouldn’t need to go over it again as part of our ‘How to Bet on UFC’ guide. For those who don’t know, a knockout means that one of the combatants gets knocked unconscious, ending the fight.
A TKO means that both fighters remain conscious. However, if one fighter can no longer defend themselves against oncoming blows, the referee ends the fight.
When understanding how to bet on UFC fights, know this: few things are more embarrassing for a fighter than defeat by submission. Essentially, a fighter needs to tap to signal their loss. For many, this is admitting defeat and giving up – not a common habit amongst competitors.
If a fight comes down to a decision, the judges score the match based on specific criteria, before picking a winner.
For a Method of Victory bet, you simply need to pick how you think a match will end.
UFC Live Betting and Where to Place These Wagers
There’s nothing like the thrill of placing live bets. However, before you start making these wagers, here’s another of our UFC betting tips:
Prepare. If there’s one thing you need to know about how to bet on UFC, it’s that the matches are incredibly fast-paced. They’re violent, unpredictable, and quick, much like the fighters themselves. While it might sound like fun, these types of wagers are just going to drain your bank like money-sucking black holes.
However, if you’re familiar with how to bet on UFC fights, and you already have your picks for every match, live betting can be very lucrative. You’ll have to make a few predictions of your own and go into the fight armed with as much knowledge as you can gather.
The in-fight betting options are much the same as the regular types of bets. You’ll find betting markets like Fight Result, Round Betting, Over/Under, and Method of Victory.
Now that you know one of the most crucial things about how to bet on UFC matches during play, you need to know where you can place your wagers. Some of the best options would be BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings.
UFC Future Champion Special
As the name implies, this type of bet allows you to pick the season’s future champion. However, it involves taking quite a significant risk. You’ll need to make several UFC predictions as you try to figure out how different match-ups will end. If you’re lucky, you can speculate which fighter will come out on top, several matches in advance.
More than any other type of bet, Future Champion requires bettors to have an extremely in-depth knowledge of different players and how different UFC picks might play out. Then they need to use that knowledge to make as informed a guess as possible.
Best UFC Betting Sites
Rank | UFC Sportsbooks | Welcome Offer | Legal States | Bet Now |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | BetMGM Visit Review | Risk-Free Bet up to $600 T&C’s Apply, 21+ | Available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, NV, PA, TN, VA, WV | |
2. | PointsBet Visit Review | 2 Risk Free Bets to $2,000 T&C’s Apply, 21+ | Available in CO, IA, IN, IL, MI, NJ | |
3. | WynnBet Visit Review | Up To A $500 Risk-Free Bet T&C’s Apply, 21+ | Available in CO, MI, NJ |
Updated on :
UFC betting tips
For our guide about how to bet on UFC, we’ve gathered some of the best tricks to get you started.
Here are some of our top UFC betting tips to help you get the most out of every wager:
Know Your Fighters
Knowing your fighters is, by far, the most critical UFC betting tip we can give.
The Championship was born because experienced combatants worldwide wanted to prove that their style was the best. The different disciplines include everything from boxing to wrestling and everything in between. If you don’t study the fighters before you start wagering, you’ll never learn how to bet on UFC.
Before you make any picks, look at historical records. For example, wrestling has produced more champions than any other fighting style. It’s almost become the required base for any serious and well-rounded fighter. That’s something to keep in mind when you make your UFC predictions.
Another thing you need to know is how combatants prefer to end their fights. Do they go for the knockout, or do they like to force a submission? When you learn how to bet on UFC matches, this knowledge can differentiate between a good and lousy pick.
Finally, you should also know how a combatant chooses to fight. Are they fast and accurate, or do they prefer to stay stationary and hand out powerful blows? Knowing a fighter’s style and track record will give you a better chance of making accurate UFC predictions and picking winners.
Watch Out for Southpaws
Another one of our essential UFC betting tips is to watch out for the Southpaws. These fighters tend to stand with their left foot forward and have a powerful punch on that side. This throws most fighters for a loop, which is why Conor McGregor is such a powerful competitor, and he’s one of the top UFC picks for many bettors.
Don’t Dismiss Underdogs
Betting on the favorites might be safe, but you won’t make much unless you’re putting down a few hundred dollars. On the other hand, wagering on an underdog comes with its own set of risks. That said, it’s been known for underdogs in the UFC to make significant impacts. Study a fighter’s track record and judge them on that rather than how new they are to the sport.
UFC Betting Apps
If you want to know how to bet on UFC on the go, we’ve got you covered. There are several amazing mobile apps available to American players so that you can get your UFC odds or place bets from anywhere, at any time.
Our top five apps are:
FanDuel and DraftKings have long been industry leaders, and when it comes to betting on the Championship via mobile, it’s no different. Their applications are easily accessible, show their UFC odds clearly, and provide excellent gambling experiences to US bettors.
BetMGM and PointsBet also have top-notch apps available, giving you quick access to updated odds and matches if you need to know how to bet on UFC on any given day.
Finally, we have BetRivers. While the app is also one of the best ones out there for UFC betting, it’s not available in all states yet. Here are other great UFC betting apps along with the best places to get sportsbook bonus codes.
Best UFC Betting Strategies
There’s an insane amount of UFC predictions and betting strategies available, and everyone has an opinion.
For newbies who are learning how to bet on UFC fights, the information might be overwhelming. Don’t worry, though. Our guide will help you with a few top tips for the best strategies.
As we mentioned before, study a fighter’s track record. If he/she’s on a roll, they’re likely to have a strong chance to continue winning.
For example, Nurmagomedov has a clear history of success, and he’s the top undefeated MMA fighter. He always prepares for his fights, takes time to heal, and prepares for the specific countries and environments he’s to fight in. These are all excellent traits that a fighter must exhibit, and things you need to consider when learning how to bet on UFC fights.
It’s essential to do a lot of research if you want to know how to bet on UFC matches successfully. That means you’ll likely have to skip out on some fights, but that’s alright. It’s better to take your time and ensure that you have the right information, rather than making a pointless wager.
How to Bet on UFC FAQ
If you still have questions about betting on UFC fights, don’t worry. We’ve assembled a few of the most frequently asked questions about odds, tips, and more.
Are combat sports like MMA and the UFC legal?
Yes, though it depends on your location. Both mixed martial arts and the UFC itself are officially considered sporting events within the United States. Thus, they are both entirely legal in the nation. In other countries, such as South Africa and Singapore, MMA is also considered a legitimate, legal sport.
However, the situation isn’t the same everywhere. In the Republic of Ireland, for example, MMA isn’t considered a sport. Nevertheless, it’s more of a technical distinction, as both MMA and the UFC are legal in Ireland.
Is betting on UFC matches legal in the United States?
Yes, in some states. Sports betting in the United States was illegal almost everywhere until 2018. The only exceptions were Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon. After the Supreme Court struck down the Professional & Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, things changed. Today, well over a dozen states have legal and regulated betting markets.
Can I make money betting on UFC fights?
You might. However, betting on combat sports isn’t the best way to try to make money. Betting on UFC can be a thrilling way to enjoy the sport. However, gambling on combat sports is not a reliable way to make money. As they say, over the long term, the house always wins.
Professional handicappers make a living out of gambling on sports. That said, they spend decades amassing the expertise and skill required to do that, and still miss half their predictions. Gamble responsibly, and never stake money you can’t afford to lose.
Best Fight Odds Ufc 247
Where can I bet on UFC matches?
UFC betting is currently available with major bookmakers in every state where sports betting is legal. As of March 2021, nearly two dozen states have regulated sports betting. Another five states already passed bills legalizing sports betting, and are currently drafting the corresponding regulatory frameworks.
Legal UFC betting states include Colorado, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Can I bet on the UFC online?
Yes, as long as online betting is available in your state. Not all US states with legal UFC betting allow online gambling. If you live in one of these states, you’ll have to visit a retail bookmaker in order to place any bets.
Where Can I Bet on UFC?
It depends on which betting sites are legal in your area. Popular options often include DraftKings, PointsBet, and BetMGM.
Before joining any of these betting sites, make sure that they have the markets you’re looking for and preferred UFC betting odds. It’s also important to check that they’re licensed and regulated. While we always recommend reputable providers, you must choose one that you trust.
Is Betting on UFC Legal?
Yes. There are no specific rules that cover betting on UFC matches. As a result, you can legally place wagers on any fights if sports betting is legal. In other words, if you can bet on any other sports from your location or country, UFC betting would also be permitted.
Are There Other Fighting Leagues to Bet on?
Of course! Your most popular betting options outside of the UFC would be regular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournaments or boxing (SBL). Each one has a few traits that make them unique, but all of them offer exciting betting opportunities for anyone interested in wagering on fights.
Final Thoughts on How to Bet on UFC
Though the Ultimate Fighting Championship isn’t the bloody sport it used to be, there’s nothing quite like watching two experienced fighters beat each other into submission. Better still is knowing how to bet on UFC fights and putting your knowledge of the sport to use.
Whether you’re an old hand at placing these wagers or just learning how to bet on UFC matches, just remember this guide’s tips. If you know the cage’s rules and your fighters, you’re already off to a strong start.
Without a thorough understanding of both these things, you’ll never understand how to make accurate UFC predictions or select the best pics.
However, you also need to know about the different types of bets you can place, and which strategies to use. With our lists of betting tips and tricks, you’re well on your way to learning how to bet on UFC fights like a pro.
The growth of fight sports in recent years has been astronomical. While boxing used to take center stage, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and the UFC stormed onto the scene over the last decade and has grabbed the spotlight with both hands.
It’s great for those who love a good brawl, as now there’s one on the menu virtually every weekend. And it’s great for those who want to get into UFC betting.
The UFC is the cream of the crop among MMA brands as they attract the biggest and best in the sport. They have more (and better) fighters on their cards and they span the globe, holding events – and massive betting slates – almost every week of the year.
Some of the biggest UFC pay-per-views – like the Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor bout at UFC 229 in 2018, or the Conor McGregor-Cowboy Cerrone tilt in 2020 – now rival boxing’s all-time mega events.
The UFC sold for over $4 billion in 2016 and its value has only increased since then. The UFC betting market has grown similarly. If you’ve been a long-time fan of MMA but now want to get into betting on it, here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know.
Sportsbook offers, odds boosts for UFC 259
Sportsbooks are rolling out tremendous offers for UFC 259. Here are some of the best:
- DraftKings Sportsbook: Bet $1, win $100. For new users only. To sign up for DK Sportsbook and take advantage of this offer, go here.
Best UFC betting sites
There are a number of excellent legal sportsbooks out there for those looking to get in on UFC betting. We’ve done a comprehensive review of all of them and here are the books we give the highest grades to:
Best UFC betting apps
In states where online sports betting is legal, you’ll find sportsbook apps that give you all the current UFC odds on every upcoming fight. You can then bet on the UFC right from the palm of your hand.
Betting via app also means you can place your UFC bets from anywhere as long as you’re within state lines. You don’t need to be physically inside the sportsbook or stand in line at the window.
The best apps are fantastic as you can see all of the lines for upcoming UFC cards, place bets either ahead of time or as the fights are happening (live betting) and withdraw your winnings right away. It’s fast, secure and quite convenient.
Top UFC betting apps we can recommend:
- DraftKings Sportsbook ($25 Free) — Available in NJ, PA, MI IN, NH, TN, VA and WV
- FanDuel Sportsbook ($500 Risk-Free Bet) — Available in NJ, PA, MI, IN, TN, VA and WV
- BetMGM ($500 Risk-Free Bet) — Available in NJ, MI, TN, WV
Why bet on UFC online
There are a number of options for UFC betting and your method will likely depend on where you are in the country. Some states will have online betting available to you, some will offer retail (land-based casinos) and some will offer both.
The benefit of betting online is the convenience. From the comfort of your own home or wherever you are in state, you can place your bets very quickly and easily.
There can be a great atmosphere for watching UFC pay-per-views at the sportsbook itself but it can be a couple of hours drive to the nearest casino. If you prefer to watch the event closer to home, either at a bar or your own living room, mobile betting makes it easy.
You can also make live bets in seconds as opposed to having to wait in line at the betting window at the sportsbook.
UFC live betting
One of the best ways to bet on the UFC is through live betting. It can be hard to handicap the fight beforehand and figure out how it’ll go, but live betting gives you the chance to bet on the fight as it’s happening and hedge any bets made before..
Oddsmakers will keep a running line on the fight as it progresses. Depending on how each fighter looks and how the rounds have gone, the odds will change accordingly.
You’re free to jump in and place a bet at any point when the odds look appealing.
This is a useful tool in two ways. For one, you can see how the fight is playing out before putting your money down. Or if you’ve already placed your bet and you don’t like how the fight is playing out, you can use live betting to hedge your bets and limit your losses.
Always bet UFC on legal betting sites
Sports betting is completely legal in many states now and there are plenty of great online sportsbooks. They often have more UFC betting lines than the “offshore” sportsbooks, better customer service and the option to manage your betting account entirely from your home.
It’s also important to remember that legal, regulated sportsbooks are all affiliated with a real, licensed casino in your home state and not operating from an offshore server somewhere. That means they must adhere to strict state regulations at all times and you have well established processes and procedures for any type of dispute.
You also have any number of standard deposit and cash out methods at your disposal, including major credit cards, pre-paid cards and cash at the cage.
How do UFC odds work
The simplest UFC bet you can make is picking the fighter you think will win.
When you visit the MMA odds or UFC odds tab in your sportsbook, you’ll see two fighters matched up against each other for each bout.
Click on the fighter you think will win the fight and you’ll see it pop up in your betting slip to the right of the screen. You can enter the amount of money you want to bet on him/her and see exactly how much your bet will pay out.
If your fighter goes on to win the fight, you cash in your bet.
There’s more to it in terms of understanding the odds (we’ll cover that below), but that’s the simplest UFC betting gets.
You can also bet on different aspects of the fight (if it will end via a knockout, submission or decision, etc) but for the most part, the most popular form of betting on UFC is just picking one or the other fighter to win.
How to read UFC odds
When you look at the UFC odds in your sportsbook, you’ll see a couple of different numbers. We’ll break them down for you:
UFC fight odds
Ufc Predictions
When you pull up the odds for a UFC fight, they will look something like this:
- Khabib Nurmagomedov -155
- Conor McGregor +135
The first thing you want to notice here is the symbol in front of the number. In Nurmagomedov’s case, it’s a “-” sign. That means the fighter is the “favorite.”
As for your bet, that means to win $100 you have to bet the amount listed. If you bet $155 on Nurmagomedov and he wins, you’d collect $100 plus have your $155 returned to you.
If there’s a ‘+’ sign, as there is here with McGregor, that means the fighter is the underdog. The actual figure represents the amount of money you’d win if you bet $100. So if you bet $100 on McGregor and he wins, you win $135 plus your original $100 bet back.
Of course, you can bet whatever amount you want (less than or greater than $100) but this shows you what the payout would be if you bet each fighter.
UFC over/unders
Another way to bet on UFC fights is to bet the over-under. In this case, you’re betting on how long the fight will last. You might see a betting line that looks like this:
Nurmagomedov-McGregor total:
- Over 3.5
- Under 3.5
What this means is you have to decide whether this fight will go over – or last longer – than 3.5 rounds. If you think it will be a quick knockout, you’d bet the under. If you’re envisioning that the fight will go the distance, then you’d bet the over.
The 3.5 refers to the rounds, so in this case, the over-under is set at the 2:30 mark of the fourth round since it’s three full rounds and another half.
Bet on UFC props
Another way to bet on UFC fights is through propositional bets, which are known as props for short. This gives you the opportunity to bet on the fight in other ways than simply picking the winner or the loser.
An example of a prop bet could be:
How will the fight end?
- Knockout -110
- Submission +150
- Decision +400
With this prop, if you bet on ‘knockout’, you’d win your bet if either fighter won via knockout. You can also bet a specific fighter to win via a specific method, you can bet on which round the fight will end and you can wager on or if the fight will end in a draw.
UFC betting strategy
If you’re new to handicapping UFC fights, these are a few simple UFC betting tips to help set you off on the right track:
UFC betting trends
You’ll want to take note of the fighter’s momentum going into the bout as that can give you an indication of where they are in their career.
Has the fighter won 10 straight? Has the fighter lost three of their last four?
Drilling down further, you want to see how the fights are ending. If a fighter has won four straight fights, ending their opponent in the first round, that’s a pretty obvious sign of dominance. If a fighter has won four in a row but has won three of the bouts by split decision from the judges, that shows they may not be as strong as their record indicates..
Who did they fight?
Another key factor to examine when you’re looking at the fighter’s history is who they’ve fought. Are they battling the elite guys in the weight class or have they merely beaten a string of cupcakes?
Some fighters can build up a winning streak in smaller MMA outlets but that probably doesn’t mean they’re as dominant had that same winning streak happened in the UFC. The UFC is viewed as the elite MMA organization.
Take note of who the fighters have gone up against and how they’ve fared. That will give you a real indication of their quality.
What is their fighting style?
As the name suggests, it’s mixed martial arts, so there are many different fight styles. You’ll want to study the fighters a little bit to grasp what their strengths and weaknesses are.
For example, a fighter might be great at knockouts but terrible with grappling and wrestling. If he’s fighting someone who is capable of taking them down, their knockout power might not be effective. At the same time, some fighters have excellent takedown defense, which means they can keep the fights standing.
Also take note of the fighter’s history to see how his wins and losses have happened. Are they prone to knockouts or submissions? Do they end a lot of fights early or do all of their bouts go the distance?
Who has the physical advantage?
One of the keys to understanding how the fight will play out is knowing the fighter’s physical traits. For example, you’ll often see the stat Reach displayed on broadcasts because that’s quite important. A fighter with a good reach can keep the other one at bay with their long arms and punches.
Other physical traits to keep an eye on is weight as heavier fighters can have more power but less speed, although that’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Also, take note of the age of the fighters as some might be in the twilight of their career in their late 30’s or early 40’s, while the opponent could be a young fighter in their early 20’s.
Biggest payouts in UFC history
In the UFC, it takes as little as one punch to land an upset. That opens the door for a lot of juicy opportunities for underdogs. Let’s take a closer look at five of the biggest underdogs to ever cash:
1. Matt Serra vs Georges St. Pierre
Pre-Fight odds: Serra +850
GSP was defending his welterweight title at UFC 69 when Matt Serra shocked the world with his win. GSP would get revenge in 2008, though, when he knocked out Serra at UFC 83.
2. Holly Holm vs Ronda Rousey
Pre-Fight odds: Holm +830
Rousey, the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, hardly ever broke a sweat in her UFC fights before Holm stunned her at UFC 193. Only one of her 12 prior UFC fights had even lasted beyond the first round. In a stunning fall from grace, the undefeated champ lost to Holm, then lost to Amanda Nunes, and never returned to the UFC.
3. Iuri Alcantara vs Frankie Saenz
Pre-Fight odds: Saenz +700
Frankie Saenz hasn’t had much success in the UFC as he’s just 5-4 with the organization. However, he had one shining moment at UFC Fight Night 61 when he upset Alcantara.
4. Renan Barao vs T.J. Dillashaw
Pre-Fight odds: Dillashaw +650
This UFC 173 bout was the one that elevated Dillashaw to champion status. He stunned Barao while earning Performance of the Night, Fight of the Night and Upset of the Year honors.
5. Joey Beltran vs Rolles Gracie Jr.
Pre-Fight odds: Beltran +630
Beltran ended up having a really rough MMA career, finishing just 17-15 overall. He ended his career losing 12 of his last 18 fights but one of those wins was quite significant. He was a massive dog at UFC 109 but stunned Rolles Gracie Jr. with a second-round knockout.
How to stream UFC live for free
There are a few different ways to watch the UFC depending on what type of event is on the calendar. The best events are always on Pay-Per-View, which means you’ll have to purchase that from your cable provider or visit a sports bar.
There are other events that are featured on ESPN and ESPN+, which means you’ll have to have access to those channels as well. You can also watch through the UFC app with UFC Fight Pass.
If you have a sportsbook account you can often watch live sporting events free via the app or online sportsbook. Check with your local sportsbook to see if that applies to UFC cards.
UFC FAQ
What is UFC futures betting?
The futures betting market focuses on betting fights that are further down the road (weeks or months away) versus betting on the fights that are happening this week.
How to bet the UFC underdog?
The underdog is the fighter whose odds have the ‘+’ sign in front of them. Select that fighter in your sportsbook and place your bet on them to bet the underdog.
How much do UFC fighters make?
The average UFC fighter makes about $138,250. However, the stars of the sports can make millions through fights and endorsements.
How much revenue does the UFC make?
The UFC made over $700 million in revenue in 2017 and profits continue to rise as the sport grows.
Which UFC champion has the longest reign?
Anderson Silva has the longest reign as a champion. He was the Middleweight Champion for 2,457 days. His six-year run came to an end when he lost to Chris Weidman at UFC 162.
What does UFC stand for?
UFC stands for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
What is the Octagon?
The Octagon is the fighting cage where every UFC fight takes place.
How many UFC weight classes are there?
In total, there are nine weight classes. They are:
- Strawweight
- Flyweight
- Bantamweight
- Featherweight
- Lightweight
- Welterweight
- Middleweight
- Light Heavyweight
- Heavyweight
How long is a UFC fight?
Championship fights are five five-minute rounds, so 25 minutes in total. Non-championship fights last three rounds or 15 minutes.
Best Ufc Knockouts
What are the ways a UFC fight can end?
A UFC fight can end via:
- Judge’s decision
- Knockout
- Submission
- Disqualification
- Draw
Best Ufc Betting Odds
Who is Dana White?
White is often viewed as the face of the UFC. He’s the current president of the UFC.
Who currently owns the UFC?
The UFC is currently owned by William Morris Endeavor.
Who are the founders of the UFC?
The founders of the UFC are Art Davie, Bob Meyrowitz, Campbell McLaren, David Isaacs, John Milius and Rorion Gracie, but the sport has come a long way from its original days in 1993. It used to be the home for brutal, bloody bouts and while it still maintains the viciousness that fans love, there are far more rules and regulations to keep the fighters safe and allow the sport to be far more marketable.