Khadija, an accomplished author with over a decade of experience under her belt, joined Sports Talk Philly in 2021. Her expertise lie in the world of online gambling, with a strong focus on online sports betting, helping bettors improve their knowledge and understanding through her informative articles.
All posts by Khadija BilalThe Ultimate Fighting Championship launched in 1993 as an almost novelty MMA spectacle, but three decades later it’s broadcast into 975 million living rooms in 170 countries each year.
As a result of its unprecedented cultural success, combat sports bettors nationwide want to know how to bet on UFC fights and, more importantly, win those bets. The good news is that you’re in the right place if you fall into this demographic.
In this guide, we introduce you to the sport’s rules and available betting lines, plus several top tips on winning your UFC wagers. Additionally, we look at how to read UFC odds and guide you through the process of placing your first bet online.
How To Bet on UFC Fights – Understanding the Rules of the Octagon
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of how to bet on UFC matches, it is essential that we first have an understanding of the rules inside the Octagon. To fully understand the betting odds used for UFC fights and which wagers are the best to put down, having a firm understanding of the sport and how the rules work is imperative. So, let’s take a look:
UFC Rules
- UFC fights take place inside a caged Octagon.
- Fighters must wear mouthguards at all times.
- Regular UFC fights typically run for three rounds.
- UFC Championship bouts and Main Events (card headliners) usually go longer and last five rounds of five minutes each. Here, fighters have a one-minute rest between rounds.
- Outside the Octagon, three judges view the fight from unique angles. They analyze the fighters’ techniques, including grappling, aggressiveness, defense, Octagon control, and striking. The judges then score the fighters using a 10-point system.
- The referee oversees the bout from inside the Octagon with the fighters.
- There are several fouls fighters can carry out. Among these are offenses like hair pulling, head butting, and throat strikes. Should a fighter engage in several of these acts, the ref may site a disqualification or DQ. In other instances, fouls will cause a fighter to lose points.
Since fighting is more than just a physical sport and uses mental agility and alertness, fighters often use these rules to their advantage. Some fighters tend to skirt the edges of these rules to define and determine their fighting style.
A firm grasp of these rules makes it easy for bettors to identify a fighter’s technique and how the judges may score it. This makes it easier to predict the outcome of a fight and place more lucrative bets when visiting the best sportsbooks.
How Does UFC Betting Work?
So, how does UFC betting work? Well, it follows the same format as any other sports betting, whether you place your bets on a desktop computer or use one of the best sports betting apps. Here, bettors look at the odds provided by various online sportsbooks for specific fighters or matches. Once they find odds they like, they select their chosen betting line or type of bet.
Once bettors have done this, they will stake their cash and wager their bet, and lastly, they will wait for the fight’s results to see whether they have won their bets. However, to wager a lucrative or winning bet, it is essential to know how UFC odds and betting lines work.
UFC Betting Odds
UFC betting odds highlight for a bettor the amount they can win back if the wager they put down wins. Online sportsbooks highlight these values next to the fighter’s name. While these values typically remain similar across most sportsbooks, they can vary, which makes it essential to find the best odds by looking for the sharpest sportsbooks.
While there are several ways to bet on UFC fights, all come with odds. Additionally, sportsbooks can display these odds in various ways, including fractional, American, and decimal. However, American odds are the most common, and sportsbooks typically use them as the default, so we will look at these.
When looking at UFC betting odds, bettors will find that a sports betting site will mark one fighter as the favorite or the most likely to win, while the other receives the title of “underdog” or least likely to win the fight. The sportsbook highlights the favorite by placing a three-number figure preceded by a minus sign (-) next to the fighter’s name. This number shows a bettor how much they need to put down on the fighter to make back $100 on their bet if the fighter wins.
In contrast, the underdog usually has a plus sign (+) followed by three figures next to their name. These digits indicate how much a bettor will win back if they put down $100 on the underdog and that fighter wins. Since backing the underdog has a higher risk, that fighter will typically have greater odds.
In closely contested bouts, such as Chandler vs. McGregor above, the favorite is the fighter with the higher (-) number since you are risking more (in this case, Chandler at -115) to win the same amount ($100).
UFC Betting Lines
Bettors visiting the best UFC betting sites will discover there are several ways to back their favorite fighters. By providing more betting lines, sportsbooks offer bettors more ways to win. However, to win these bets, it is crucial to understand how they work. So, below, we take you through the most popular UFC betting lines provided and how each one operates.
Moneyline
When it comes to how to bet on UFC fights, one of the most straightforward wagers a bettor can place is a moneyline bet. Here, the bettor places an outright wager on the fighter they predict will win the fight overall.
A sportsbook will display the odds for a moneyline bet the same way as it displays regular American odds, like those discussed above. Bettors can choose to back the favorite or the underdog, and in some cases where the odds are fairly narrow, bettors may hedge their bets and back both fighters.
Fighter Odds Robbie Lawler +130 Nick Diaz -160 Over/Under Bets (Totals)
Totals betting provides bettors with another way to wager on the outcome of a fight, but this wager is based on rounds, not the result. Here, the sportsbook releases its prediction of the number of rounds opponents will make it through. Bettors must then put their money on whether they think the total rounds will be more than (over) or less than (under) what the bookie predicts.
Here, the odds are also shown as American odds but will have an “O” and a “U” next to them. However, a unique aspect of totals betting in UFC is that these lines often come with a half point, which signifies a half a round. Here, if a bettor backs a fighter with a total bet of 1.5, the fighter won’t need to make it through two full rounds; they will only need to make it past halfway in the second round.
Fighter Odds Over 1.5 rounds +160 Under 1.5 rounds -115 UFC Prop Bets
Prop bets allow a bettor to wager on other aspects of the fight besides the eventual outcome. There are a number of prop bets for bettors to wager when betting on the UFC. For instance, bettors can put money on whether a fighter will “Go the Distance.” Here, the bettor puts money on the prediction that the fighter will last all five rounds.
Another popular prop bet is “Inside the Distance.” In this case, the bettor puts money on the prediction that their chosen athlete will win within a set number of rounds. While Method of Victory and Rounds betting also fall under the category of prop bets, they are more frequently bet on, so we will discuss these below.
However, it is important to note that the odds applied to prop bets on UFC fights are risky, which makes it essential always to find the best odds for these lines.
UFC Rounds Betting
Rounds betting sees a bettor put money on the round they predict the fight will end on. Since there are five rounds to a main event fight, a bettor must choose the specific round they believe will be the last round.
However, unlike in totals betting, a bettor is not required to determine the exact time the round will end. For example, if you predict Tom Aspinall will drop Marcin Tybura in the third round, then Tom Aspinall is the fighter you will back in your rounds wager.
Method of Victory
Another popular UFC prop bet is the Method of Victory wager. Here, bettors determine how their chosen fighter will win the match. However, for this to be a lucrative bet, bettors will need to know their fighters well.
Understanding a particular fighter’s style and preferred way of ending a fight compared to their opponent makes it easier to predict the Method of Victory accurately.
For example, “Sugar” Sean O’Malley wins approximately 70% of his fights by KO. Factor this in when assessing the odds below, and especially when live betting if you notice Chito Vera, or whomever “Sugar’s” opponent is next time, beginning to fade.
Fighter Odds Chito Vera by TKO +600 Chito Vera by Points +550 Sean O’Malley by TKO -450 Sean O’Malley by Points -370 Helpful Hint
There are four ways for a UFC fight to end:
- Knockout (KO)
- Technical Knockout (TKO)
- Submission
- Decision (Judges)
A knockout refers to when one fighter renders another unconscious or knocks them out, ending the fight.
In contrast, a technical knockout or TKO sees both fighters remaining conscious, but one fighter has lost their ability to defend themselves against their opponent. In this case, the referee calls an end to the fight.
Defeat by submission is possibly a fighter’s worst nightmare, and submission victories occur with less regularity than KOs/TKOs. However, in some instances, a fighter must tap out and submit to their opponent or bow out of the match by admitting defeat.
Lastly, the fight can come to an end by the judges making a decision. These officials will need to score the fight based on unique criteria and then choose a winner.
Bettors wagering a Method of Victory bet will need to pick one of these outcomes as the way in which the fight ends. If the fight then ends in the way the bettor predicts, the bettor wins their wager.
How to Live Bet on the UFC
Live betting in UFC means placing wagers on a fight while it’s actively taking place rather than before the event begins. This bet type allows you to use your knowledge of the sport to make real-time decisions based on how the fight unfolds.
As a UFC fight progresses, sportsbooks continuously update the odds based on happenings inside the octagon, such as shifts in momentum, a fighter’s performance, injuries, and more. For example, if a fighter dominates the early rounds, their odds will shorten, while their opponent’s odds may increase. By taking advantage of these odds changes, you can place well-timed wagers to secure a profit.
When wagering on a live UFC fight, you have many options. You can place bets on a fighter to win, the round the fight may end, how the fight will end (submission, decision, or knockout), and whether the fight will go the distance. Monitoring the fight closely and staying updated on the latest UFC news is an essential factor in making smart live bets.
Getting started with live betting on the UFC is easy. Simply sign up to a top-rated online sportsbook, claim a welcome bonus, and navigate to the site’s live betting page. Then, choose the UFC game you want to wager on, follow the action, and place your bet when you find an opportunity to profit.
UFC Betting Strategies & Systems
Bettors who use systems typically report placing more accurate and lucrative wagers. Below, we look at some of the most common UFC betting strategies to help you boost your edge.
Hedge Your Bet
Hedging is all about placing additional bets to reduce potential losses or to secure a profit, no matter the fight’s outcome. For example, suppose you bet on Fighter A to win at +150 odds before a fight. And as the fight draws nearer, the odds change, and you bet on Fighter B to win, hedging your bet. In this case, you earn a profit or minimize your loss, regardless of which fighter wins.
Bet on the Underdogs
UFC fights are very unpredictable. Unlike many team sports, a single moment in MMA can change the entire outcome of a fight. A perfectly-timed punch, kick, or submission attempt can result in a sudden victory, giving underdogs a real chance. If you find that an underdog has a particular skill that counters the favorite’s strengths, you can wager on the underdog and potentially claim a big payout.
Leverage Bonuses & Promotions
The best UFC sportsbooks offer a range of promotions to give bettors extra funds to wager and potentially enhance their winnings. Before placing a bet on a site, check that they offer lucrative bonuses that can boost your bankroll significantly. Also, read through the bonus terms and conditions, ensuring they are all reasonable and achievable.
Use Parlay Betting
Another smart strategy in UFC wagering is parlay betting. Here, you combine several bets into one to potentially win more money, but it comes with a higher risk of losing. You could place bets on two or three fights you’re confident about. If all your picks win, you’ll earn a massive payout. However, if just one of the wagers loses, you lose the entire parlay.
Consider the Octagon
Fighting rings, or Octagons as they are called in the world of UFC, come in two different sizes, which can impact the outcome of a fight. For instance, a larger octagon with 746 square feet of fighting surface is commonly used but favors fighters with more energy that don’t tire quickly. However, a smaller octagon of only 518 square feet has less space for movement-based fighters.
UFC Betting Tips – How to Win at UFC Betting
While betting on sports like the Ultimate Fighting Championship is a lot of fun, placing lucrative bets on the sport at first can be challenging. However, the handy UFC betting tips we provide below should set you on the right track to winning big. So, let’s look:
1. Have a Firm Grasp of the UFC Rules
Knowing how these fights run, what the fouls are, and how fighters can win or lose a match makes it much easier to wager on a range of UFC bets that pay out.
When you know how the game works and combine it with fighter knowledge, you can easily judge whether the odds applied are fair and which betting lines are best to stick with or avoid.
2. Get to Know the Fighters
Since the UFC falls under the category of mixed martial arts, fighters can incorporate several styles and practices into their fighting. Because of this variety, it is essential to understand and get to know each fighter and their specific style before wagering bets on the UFC. While some fighters prefer an upright style that allows them to strike easily, others keep lower to the ground.
Understanding these factors, combined with a fighter’s preferred stance, will make it easier to gauge how two fighters will match up. Additionally, looking at a fighter’s stats and how they measure up to other fighters with similar styles as their upcoming opponents can help guide you in the bet you wager.
Helpful Hint
Visiting online forums like Reddit and other fighting-related sites is an excellent way to find out the latest news and updates about a fighter and their fighting style.
3. Consider Injuries
As you may have gathered, UFC is a highly combative sport, which naturally results in many injuries. Some can keep a fighter out of the cage for several matches or even months or years. Bettors will want to consider severe injuries and the impact they may have on an athlete’s return to the Octagon.
To find this out, watching sports news and following other lines of information is a great way to stay on top of the latest insights. Here, bettors can glean information like whether a knee injury will affect a fighter’s response time and reflexes, how dependent a fighter is on the body region that carries the injury, and how long it has been since the fighter was last in the Octagon.
Bettors may also want to question how a fighter has been spending time out of the cage, whether they are still in shape, whether they have been training during their off period, and how they have come back after being out of the Octagon previously.
Lastly, it is essential to consider knockouts. While not always the case, some MMA stars who lose a fight through a knockout could have sustained a mental knockout that throws them off their game. For instance, they may end up being overly cautious the next time they are in the Octagon and lose their edge or change their style altogether.
Helpful Hint
Keep in mind when placing bets that a UFC fight is as much about the mental aspect as it is about the physical. Fighters who have gone through some form of trauma or who are perhaps experiencing something in their personal lives may not be on top form.
4. Factor in Weight and Reach
The UFC, like boxing, has several weight classes. Fighters advance up and down in weight according to their competition and success in previous fights. While some fighters find it easy to maintain their weight, others struggle, particularly those moving down in a weight class. Fighters who struggle to gain weight are one’s bettors who should be wary of backing.
Match officials conduct weigh-ins the day before a fight. Athletes close to not making their weight requirements can sometimes go to enormous lengths to ensure they meet the weight requirements. Some of these measures include overtraining, extreme dehydration, and starvation. As you can imagine, these can all severely impact a fighter’s performance in the octagon.
In addition to weight, bettors should consider a fighter’s reach or arm length. Fighters with longer arms have greater chances of landing a strike without getting too close to their opponent and can severely limit their opponent’s chances.
5. Consider Southpaws
In UFC fighting, like boxing, fighters take a specific stance, usually according to their handedness. Typically, Southpaw fighters are left-handed, while Orthodox fighters are right-handed. The stance a fighter takes impacts how they attack and defend themselves.
Since Southpaw fighters are a lot less common, Orthodox fighters often have trouble defending themselves against these opponents, putting the Southpaw fighters at an advantage. Therefore, while a Southpaw fighter may be the underdog, backing them could prove lucrative.
Helpful Hint
A “Southpaw” fighter is usually left-handed, while an “Orthodox” fighter is typically right-handed.
UFC Betting Terms
When making their UFC betting picks, bettors often encounter unique terms. Below, our UFC betting glossary explains what some of them mean.
Moneyline – UFC betting odds that show the payout should either fighter win the game.
Live Betting – This is where the UFC betting site allows bettors to place wagers on a game already in play.
Even Money – When two fighters are evenly pitted
Dime Bet – this refers to a $1,000 wager.
Dime Line – When the difference in the commission a sportsbook charges on a wager (juice) between odds is ten cents (a dime). For example, +110 and -120.
Reduced Juice – When the commission charged by a UFC betting site is lower than the industry standard.
Chalk – Another term for the “Favorite” (The fighter chalked to win)
Favorite – The fighter predicted to win by the sportsbook or the public.
Underdog – The fighter opposing the favorite with less favorable odds of winning.
Bankroll – The funds a bettor has to wager with.
KO – The abbreviation for a Knock Out.
TKO – An abbreviation for a Total Knock Out.
Technical Draw – When the ref stops the fight before the 5th round for a reason other than a knockout, a technical knockout, or a disqualification
Unanimous Decision – When all the judges score the fight for one athlete
Split Decision – When two judges score the fight for one athlete, but one judge scores it for the other fighter.
Majority Decision – When two judges score the fight for one athlete, but one judge scores it for a draw.
How to Bet on the UFC – The Final Word
Bettors have several online sportsbooks they can visit to place their UFC wagers. However, the best ones to visit are those regulated either in your state of residence through an organization like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board or in a trusted offshore jurisdiction such as Curacao.
Our team vouches for offshore betting sites since they all deliver a high standard of online sports betting, competitive odds, and speedy, consistent payouts, and they are available in practically every state. Regardless, once you are sure that you’re wagering via a trusted platform, all that remains is to seek out a top bonus, put your knowledge to the test, and get betting on UFC fights.
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If you or anyone you know is struggling with problem gambling, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Problem gambling can have serious consequences, affecting one’s financial situation, relationships, mental health, and overall well-being. The following resources can provide support to anyone dealing with problem gambling.
UFC Betting FAQs
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