How to Bet on UFC

With exhilarating action that can end at any moment, UFC is the type of high-energy sport that meshes seamlessly with sports betting.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of betting on UFC fights. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned bettor, we’ll cover key terms, useful examples, and helpful tips to ensure you’re well-prepared for your next UFC wager. From understanding UFC odds to grasping the strategies, we’ve got you covered.

How to Read UFC Odds

UFC odds come in different formats, including American odds, decimal odds, and fractional odds. We’ll focus on American odds, the most common format in the United States.

In American odds, you’ll encounter both positive and negative numbers alongside fighter names. The negative number represents the favorite, indicating how much you need to wager to win $100. The positive number represents the underdog, showcasing how much you stand to win on a $100 bet.

For example, if Fighter A has odds of -150, you’d need to bet $150 to earn $100 profit if they win. If Fighter B has odds of +200, a $100 bet on them would yield a $200 profit if they secure the victory.

How Do Sportsbooks Set UFC Betting Lines?

Understanding how sportsbooks establish UFC and MMA betting lines is crucial to explain to any bettor. The odds for a UFC fight aren’t arbitrarily determined; they rely on a meticulous assessment of various factors.

Sportsbooks analyze fighter statistics, styles, recent performances, injuries, and historical data. Fighters’ records, winning streaks, and specific fighting techniques are attentively scrutinized. Additionally, past matchups and outcomes help sportsbooks gauge how fighters might perform against each other.

Fight location and the reputation of the event also influence the odds. UFC betting lines can fluctuate as the fight date approaches, depending on public opinion, fighter developments, and other relevant factors.

UFC Betting Examples

Now that you understand some of the fundamental concepts of UFC betting, it’s time to explore some of the different bets you might come across.

We’ve put together some UFC examples of parlay, public betting, and more so you’ll be ready for any type of wager that gets thrown at you like a right hook.

Moneyline

In the world of UFC betting, the moneyline is where most bettors embark on their journey. It’s the foundation of sports betting, asking one fundamental question: who will emerge victorious in the fight? Each fighter is assigned odds, with the favorite typically bearing a negative number and the underdog a positive one.

To illustrate, consider a bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker (the Brazilian MMA fighter, not the alcohol brand). If Ankalaev is listed at -150 and Walker at +130, Ankalaev is the favorite. This translates to needing a $150 wager on Ankalaev to win $100, while a $100 bet on Walker could return $130 if he secures the victory. Moneyline bets are an excellent way to assess your aptitude for selecting fight winners without delving into intricate prop bets.

Head-to-Head

Head-to-head betting is frequently synonymous with moneyline bets in UFC. It revolves around the core question: who will win the fight? This type of bet relies on objective data, encompassing advanced statistics, recent fighter performances, and their respective fighting styles.

Let’s say an underdog fighter excels in grappling and groundwork, squaring off against a favored opponent with questionable submission defense. Regardless of the odds, you might decide to bet on the underdog based on their unique attributes and strengths.

Successful head-to-head betting entails moving beyond the odds, delving into the fighters’ individual qualities, historical track records, and how these factors align in the present matchup.

Winning Method/Method of Victory

Method of victory bets introduce an intriguing layer of complexity into UFC betting. Instead of merely picking the fight’s winner, these wagers challenge you to predict how the fight will conclude. UFC contests can end in various ways, including decisions (split, majority, or unanimous), technical decisions, draws, knockouts (KO), technical knockouts (TKO), or submissions.

Picture a showdown between Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling. You believe that O’Malley will triumph, primarily through a knockout. Consequently, you place a method of victory bet, specifying O’Malley to win by KO or TKO. These bets offer greater intricacy, with the promise of amplified returns if you can accurately predict the precise outcome.

Total Rounds

Total rounds bets provide a different dimension to UFC betting by shifting the focus to the fight’s duration. Instead of selecting a winner, these wagers revolve around assessing how closely matched the fighters are in terms of skills. The goal is to determine whether the fight will reach its full allocated time or conclude prematurely.

Fighting styles play a pivotal role in total rounds betting. Patient fighters who emphasize strategy and endurance are more inclined to extend the match to later rounds. Conversely, aggressive brawlers with knockout power tend to lead to swift finishes.

Think of a bout between Jon Jones and Sergei Pavlovich, both known for their aggressive styles and ability to secure quick finishes. In such contests, total rounds bets may focus on the fight concluding within just one or two rounds.

Double Chance

Double chance bets offer an intriguing combination of both head-to-head and method of victory betting. With this wager, you select two potential methods of victory for a fighter. Double chance betting proves particularly useful when dealing with fighters who possess versatile skills and a range of paths to success.

For instance, betting on the Brazilian Charles Oliveira might entail choosing both knockout and submission as potential victory methods, because his matches rarely progress to a decision.

Futures

Futures betting in UFC offers a fascinating avenue for enthusiasts to venture beyond individual fight predictions. These bets deal with forecasting longer-term outcomes, typically concerning major awards or championship titles. UFC futures bets are frequently centered on predicting the champions of specific weight classes, usually by a specific date, often at the conclusion of the upcoming year.

When contemplating a UFC futures bet, you’re not solely focused on a single fight; you’re considering the broader career trajectory of fighters. For instance, you might opt to place a wager on Ciryl Gane becoming the Heavyweight Champion by December 31, 2024. This strategic approach allows you to analyze not only upcoming fights but also potential improvements in fighters’ skills and career trajectories over the following year.

Parlays

Parlay betting is an enticing strategy favored by many UFC bettors due to its potential for substantial payouts and flexibility. In a parlay bet, you amalgamate multiple individual wagers into a single, multi-leg bet. This distinctive approach heightens the odds and potential winnings compared to placing each bet separately.

However, there’s a critical stipulation attached to parlay bets: every individual bet within the parlay must materialize accurately for you to secure the overall parlay victory. In the realm of UFC, parlay bets can encompass an array of bet types, including head-to-head, method of victory, prop bets, and more. As an example, you could assemble a three-leg parlay involving bets on a fighter to win their upcoming contest, a specific method of victory, and a triumph within a specified timeframe.

Props

Rather than focusing on the game’s ultimate outcome, prop bets zero in on specific player or team performances within the event. In UFC, prop bets usually revolve around how long a fight is going to last and what the method of victory will be. This can get pretty specific, all the way down to the exact minute the fight is going to end, so you’ll need to be on your game if you want to win some of these riskier prop picks. For example, you could place a two-leg prop parlay on Jinh Yu Frey to win by submission against Victoria Dudakova in the third minute of the second round.

Live Betting

UFC sportsbooks also offer live betting, which lets you react to a fight as it’s ongoing and place bets in the middle of it. This allows you to instantly react to the action and potentially hedge any earlier bets based on new information.

Let’s say you initially bet against a fighter due to concerns about their conditioning from a lengthy layoff. However, after observing the fighter’s performance through a round, you notice they are in peak fighting shape and appear poised for victory. In this scenario, you can use live betting to hedge your initial bet and place a new wager on the fighter you now believe has the upper hand. Live betting elevates your control over your wagers and allows you to make decisions informed by real-time fight dynamics.

UFC/MMA Betting Tips

Betting on UFC and MMA fights is a simple concept, but betting on these fights smartly takes a little bit more skill. To help you make wise decisions as you venture into combat sports betting, we’ve put together a list of the best MMA betting tips.

These aren’t going to start printing money for you overnight, but they will help you build a solid foundation based on intelligent financial decisions, analytically-driven picks, and more.

Don’t Let Narratives Drive You

Media narratives can create hype around certain fighters, but when it comes to betting, you must look beyond the sensationalism. Instead, focus on objective data and analysis. It’s easy to get caught up in the storylines and drama surrounding a fight, but relying on these narratives can lead to costly mistakes.

To make informed bets, dig deeper, consider performance metrics, assess a fighter’s skills, and evaluate their track record. Betting should be based on solid evidence and data, rather than just the narratives propagated by the media.

Take a Look at Fighting Styles

Understanding fighting styles is critical to learning how to bet on UFC fights online. Each fighter has a unique style that dictates the flow of a fight. Before placing your bets, it’s essential to study and comprehend the styles of the fighters involved. Are they aggressive strikers, ground specialists, or well-rounded competitors?

This knowledge helps you anticipate likely outcomes, such as whether it will be a striking battle with knockout potential or a ground game. By considering the fighters’ styles, you can add precision to your predictions that other bettors might not pick up on.

Spread Your Wealth

MMA is a sport known for its unpredictability. A single punch or submission can completely change the course of a fight. To mitigate risk, it’s wise to exercise caution in your betting approach. Instead of going all-in on a single fight, consider spreading your wagers across multiple matches.

By keeping your stakes reasonable and diversifying your bets, you protect your bankroll from the inherent volatility of the sport. This approach allows you to enjoy more sustained profitability over time while learning how to bet on fights.

Don’t Ignore the Underdogs

While favorites are often the focus in UFC betting, it’s worth it to give underdogs the attention they deserve. In the chaotic world of combat sports, upsets are not uncommon. Betting exclusively on favorites may lead to missed opportunities. Carefully selecting winning underdogs can be a lucrative strategy. For a well-rounded approach, try to maintain a balanced mix of favorites and underdogs in your bets.

Think About the Leadup

The period leading up to a fight can significantly influence its outcome. Consider the fighters’ recent history, including factors such as injuries, layoffs, and training camps. If one fighter is coming off a long layoff or trying to rebound from an injury while the other has been consistently active and in good shape, these dynamics can impact the fight’s result. Fights like this often favor the fighter in prime condition, leading to underdog victories.

Always Use Data

In the fast-paced world of combat sports, data plays a crucial role in making informed prop bets. Dive into fighter statistics, including significant strikes per minute, takedown defense, and strike defense. Metrics like ethics can reveal a fighter’s strengths and weaknesses, providing valuable insights that can help you identify profitable opportunities.

Data-driven bets offer a more strategic and calculated approach to MMA betting, one that all bettors should try and capitalize on.

Be Responsible

Responsible betting is paramount in any sport, especially when working with a smaller bankroll. To ensure your betting activities are enjoyable, sustainable, and financially responsible, establish and adhere to clear limits.

Whether you set daily, weekly, or monthly betting limits, this discipline safeguards your bankroll, preventing impulsive bets that could exceed your means.