How To Bet On UFC
The sights of blood and gore have been captivating the audiences since the times of Roman gladiators. That's probably why people still enthusiastically follow mixed martial arts (MMA), where fighters have a chance to display their skills and strength. Nowadays, the fans of this sport mostly enjoy watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in which modern warriors can fight for eternal glory.
The UFC has the best fighters in the world under its wing and, as a result, it offers some of the most exciting fights to MMA enthusiasts. Recently, betting on UFC fights has become quite popular among bettors across the USA and the world, as an increasing number of fans have started placing wagers on the outcomes of these fights.
So, if this sounds interesting to you, you can try to guess whether Conor McGregor will manage to topple Dustin Poirier in a rematch scheduled to be the main event of UFC 264. Or, you can try to predict if Khabib Nurmagomedov will eventually return to the octagon.
In order to help you with UFC betting, we have attempted to put together an in-depth guide, which will explain to you how to place a bet, how the odds work, and much more, so stay tuned.
Best UFC Betting Sites
There are plenty of sportsbooks out there offering UFC betting, but not all of them offer the same conditions. That is why we recommend choosing only the top sites. Such sites are presented in our list below, and all of them have been carefully examined and vetted by PokerNews' UFC experts. Thanks to these professionals, you'll find out how to bet on the UFC, who the fighters are, what the best UFC odds are, where you can get the fastest payouts, and a lot more. After scrutinizing each of the popular UFC betting sites, they have compiled a list of the very best ones you can find below.
OddsChecker UFC Betting
The OddsChecker UFC betting section features all the main fighting events and offers plenty of betting markets, such as the fight winner, round betting, method of victory, and plenty more. We provide you with all of the odds from all of the legal sportsbooks to ensure you find the best value on your wagers. We also provide an array of picks, predictions and stats for every single fight.
FanDuel UFC
FanDuel UFC betting has a remarkable offer, as well. Its superb odds, which are often improved by the FanDuels Odds Boosts promo scheme, keep the clients coming back for more. In addition, the platform offers dedicated mobile apps both for Android and iOS users, so the players can bet on all types of sports on the go.
DraftKings UFC
DraftKings has been one of the most popular American sportsbooks ever since it was first launched in 2012. Staggering welcome bonuses and regular promotions for existing users are bound to turn the DraftKings UFC betting experience into a memorable one. This sportsbook also offers a wide choice of betting markets and reliable deposit methods, which is why it definitely belongs on our list of top UFC betting sites.
BetAmerica UFC
BetAmerica is a gaming platform that allows you to place bets on a number of sports and engage in high-quality casino gaming as well. The platform offers numerous UFC wagering options, so you will have the opportunity to experience something new and exciting. Furthermore, at BetAmerica UFC, you are guaranteed to find the best UFC betting odds, so check it out.
BetMGM UFC
BetMGM is a household name in the sports betting industry, thanks to its fantastic UFC betting section, which offers outstanding pre-game and live betting odds. Here, you will also find a number of dependable payment options, generous bonuses and promotions, reliable customer support, and more, which is why BetMGM deserves to be considered as one of the best UFC betting sites out there.
UFC Odds Explained: How to Bet on UFC Fights
First, you need to understand how odds work, as they are one of the key elements of betting on UFC fights.
Most sportsbooks use the so-called American odds. These odds are based on how much money you need to stake in order to win $100. The odds are always accompanied by a plus sign and a minus sign. These two determine whether you need to bet more or less than $100 to win $100 more. The favorite is represented with a minus sign, which means you need to stake more than $100 to win that much. On the other hand, a plus sign signalizes the underdog, which means you can stake less than $100 and still win $100.
For example, in a clash between Stipe Miocic and Curtis Blaydes, the odds for Stipe to win are set at -110, which means that you can win $100 by placing a $110 bet on Stipe's win. However, the odds for Curtis to win are set at +150, which means a correct $50 bet on Curtis will bring $100 in profits.
The types of bets you can place on these fights are another vital element of UFC betting, which is why we will focus on them as well. Let's check them out below.
Outright Winner Betting
The most basic type of bets available on UFC betting sites is the moneyline bet, where you are simply required to choose the outright winner of the fight. It doesn't matter how the fight ends. The only thing that matters is that your favorite leaves the octagon victorious.
These bets are not considered too risky, which is why you will have to wager more money if you want to bet on the favorite. However, things tend to change quickly in a UFC fight, and the favorites are not always the ones to win. Opting for the underdog doesn't sound like such a bad idea now, does it?
Total Round Betting
The Total Round bets in UFC betting are similar to the Over/Under bets you can find when betting on other sports. However, in the UFC, instead of guessing how many points will be scored in a game, you have to bet on the total number of rounds in a fight. More specifically, you need to predict whether the number of rounds will be higher or lower than the amount set by the sportsbook.
Usually, this number is represented by a decimal number. For example, in a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson, the number of rounds set by the sportsbook is 2.5. So, if you think the fighters will last longer, you should choose the plus sign. On the other hand, if you believe any of the fighters will be defeated before the end of the third round, then you should choose the minus sign.
Method of Victory Betting
There are a couple of possible outcomes in a UFC fight. Usually, fights can end in a KO/TKO, by submission, or by the decision from the judges. The method of victory bet allows you to predict how the fight will end.Â
If you want to bet on this, you should be familiar with the style of different fighters. For example, Tito Ortiz is a lightweight UFC champion. He has recorded 8 KO wins so far, which means he usually tries to take out his opponents early, without refraining from using his full strength. That kind of UFC betting knowledge will probably help you opt for a KO win when choosing the method of Oritz's victory. Of course, the more unlikely a particular method of victory is, the better the payout will be, which is why you shouldn't be afraid to take a risk every once in a while.
UFC Betting Tips: Picks and Tactics
When it comes to sports betting, one of the most important UFC betting tip you can receive is to get to know the fighters. By doing your homework, you will get a good picture of what the fighters are capable of, what kind of fighting styles suit them, whether they have struggled with any injuries in the past, and so on. You should also pay attention to fighters' face-to-face records since they can help you predict the levels of their confidence and how they might fare against each other in the octagon. With that kind of background knowledge, it will be easier for you to place a winning bet.
Still, it might be easier to predict how long the fight will last, which is why you should consider focusing on total round bets. Also, as we’ve told you before, by studying fighters, you will get to know their fighting styles, which will help you predict their method of victory. For example, if they prefer to spend more time on the mat then their fights are more likely to end in victories by submission, which is something you can take into account.
View our UFC picks section here for the latest expert predictions on every major UFC event.
In addition, you should allow the official MMA stats to guide you, as they are usually based on a lot of data gathered over the entire course of a fighter's career. For example, this way, you can learn how many fights your favorite has won by jabs, how often the matches have been ended by ground strikes, etc. However, make sure to take these stats with a grain of salt, as every fight is unique and should be considered from an individual standpoint.
Finally, don't let your judgment be clouded by your feelings toward your personal favorites. A lot of players made that mistake in 2017 when they believed McGregor would win against Floyd Mayweather in their famous boxing match. Even though McGregor's accomplishments in the octagon are fantastic, a boxing ring is an entirely different universe, which is why Mayweather had a slight advantage. Still, many people placed wagers on McGregor, thanks to their personal preference, and, as a result, they failed to make a profit.
UFC Betting Tips: Deposits and Withdrawals
Before you can engage in betting on UFC fights, you need to take a look at our list and choose a sportsbook that suits you. After that, you should register on the website of your choice and make your first deposit.
Some of the frequently used deposit methods on UFC betting sites include credit/debit cards (Mastercard and Visa), e-wallets (PayPay, Skrill, and Neteller), online banking methods, cash deposits through PayNearMe payspots, traditional bank transfers, prepaid cards, and vouchers, and many more. Most of these methods can be used for withdrawals as well. However, more often than not, the choice of available cash out methods is not so wide.
The process of depositing money in a sportsbook can be completed in a few simple steps:
- Register an account by providing personal information
- Go to cashier section and press deposit
- Choose your preferred method
- Insert the amount you wish to deposit
- Verify your transactions and wait for the funds to become available
A similar process needs to be completed when you want to withdraw your winnings. Instead of clicking on the Deposit tab in the banking section, you'll have to click on Withdraw and choose the method you wish to use. Type in the amount you want to cash out and confirm the transaction. The winnings should reach your account in one to seven business days, depending on the method chosen. E-wallets are the fastest method, while traditional bank transfers are the slowest. Please note that withdrawal limits vary based on the method of your choice.
Of course, all of the websites on our list use SSL encryption and other protection methods, so there's no need to worry, as your financial transactions and details will be safe at all times.
UFC Betting Tips: Bonuses and Rewards
The great thing about the UFC betting sites listed here is that they offer various bonuses and promotions specifically designed for players who wish to bet on UFC fights and other MMA fights.
First, you are likely to be presented with a welcome bonus. Here, a sportsbook of your choice might offer to match your initial deposit by giving you a certain amount of bonus money. For example, if you deposit $100, some bookmakers will give you an additional $100 that you can use when betting on particular UFC fights and outcomes.
Some bookies might also offer a no deposit bonus. Basically, they will allow you to place a bet on UFC for free without asking for anything in return. Once you've seen how good the whole experience is, you will hopefully decide to make a deposit as well, which is how the sportsbook will receive a new profitable client.
Still, the most important thing for you to know is that all of these bonuses have specific wagering requirements and other conditions you need to fulfill in order to turn the bonus cash into real money.
UFC Betting FAQ
Where can I bet on UFC?
You can bet on UFC on any of the top UFC betting sites listed here, as these sites offer the best odds, betting markets, and bonuses.
Is betting on UFC legal?
Betting on UFC fights is legal in all jurisdictions where sports betting has been legalized.
What does 1.5 mean in UFC?
This decimal number can refer to the number of rounds the sportsbook believes the fight will end in.
How are UFC odds calculated?
UFC fight odds are usually calculated according to American odds, which are based on how much money you have to bet in order to win $100.
Who are the most successful UFC fighters?
If you want to determine who the most successful UFC fighters are, you need to pay attention to different criteria, such as the number of the total wins, win percentages, etc. Currently, Stipe Miocic, Donald Cerrone, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Conor McGregor are considered to be among the leaders.
Click here to read our list of the top 10 UFC fighters in the history of MMA and our five greatest female mixed martial artists ever.
What is Conor McGregor's net worth?
According to Forbes, Conor McGregor's net worth is estimated at around $48 million.
What is Conor McGregor's UFC record?
Conor McGregor's UFC record stands at 22 wins and only 5 losses.