How to Bet on UFC in 2024

Over the past few years, mixed martial arts have become one of the most popular sports, and tournaments according to the MMA rules are covered by all bookmakers. Martial sports are among the most popular ones among bookmakers. The dynamics, the spectacularity of the confrontations of experienced rivals, the unpredictability of the competition make bets on UFC fights interesting and profitable.

Bookmakers began to accept bets on this kind of sport relatively recently, but the list is wide enough, and the odds are attractive. In this guide, we will tell you where and how to bet on UFC fights on the most favourable terms and what you need to consider before you start wagering money.

ufc betting odds

The Difference Between MMA and UFC: A Little History

It is useful for novice players to find out some information about the origin and characteristics of mixed martial arts:

• Martial arts include a collection of different techniques that are often referred to as ultimate fighting. Representatives of different schools of combat sports take part in them.
• MMA started in 1995 as an official sport at the suggestion of the head of the mixed martial arts school, Rick Blum.

How is the UFC different from MMA? - a question that is one of the first to arise in the minds of those people who are still particularly unfamiliar with mixed martial arts. The majority of ordinary people believe that MMA and UFC mean the same concept - a fight without rules. Of course, each of them has its own subtleties and nuances, which must be dealt with so as not to lead people into dead-end situations. Especially if a person really wants to understand the specifics of the activities and existence of MMA and UFC.

• It is simply impossible to find a visible difference, since these two concepts are incomparable;
• MMA cannot be compared with the UFC, because in its essence the second is only a part of the first and nothing more;
• The UFC is considered (according to the authoritative opinion of experts) the most powerful MMA championship around the world. All the fighters of the planet, without exception, strive to participate in this competition;
• Everyone believes that the UFC is a separate sport, but in fact, this is not the case at all.

Today, interest in UFC tournaments is simply off the charts, because the best fighters guarantee the spectacularity of each new fight. This is a truly promoted global brand, so it is not surprising that ordinary viewers first learn about the UFC, and only then about MMA. It is from here that the confusion of these two concepts comes. One person talks about MMA but means the UFC and vice versa. It is from here that the very substitution of concepts that are fundamentally opposite for specialists stems from.

The Best Sportsbooks to Bet on UFC

How to Read UFC Betting Odds

How to bet money on UFC fights? Before making your first bet on the bookmaker's website, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of markets and read the odds. The simplest and most popular are the basic outcomes, indicating the victory of one or the other fighter, as well as a draw result of the fight. In bookmakers’ lines, you will find the following odds types:

UFC Moneyline

The most popular and frequently encountered bet on a fight in bookmakers is Moneyline betting, which means to bet on the outcome of the fight. This bet may not be encountered in bookmakers, but this happens very rarely and only in such cases when the odds for the victory of one of the fighters are lower than 1.01. Here are some important tips:

• This usually happens when the difference between the rivals is simply huge and already in such a situation everyone knows who will be the winner and the loser in this battle;
• It should also be remembered that there are bets with an outcome not only on win or loss but also on a draw.

Draws are rare in UFC matches, so if you manage to guess the bet, you will clinch decent winnings.

ufc betting odds

UFC Over/Under

Over/Under bets can also be placed in the UFC. Usually, the bet is placed on how many rounds the fight will continue before the winner is determined. For a three-round fight, over/under 1.5 and 2.5 are usually set.

Total over in the UFC is a bet on the fact that the number of rounds played will be more than the total indicated by the sportsbook. It is beneficial to make such a bet if the fighters are not inclined to end the fights ahead of schedule, but prefer to carefully bring the meeting to the later rounds or the decisions of the judges.

Total under in UFC fights is - a bet that the number of rounds played will be less than the total. Such a market should be considered if both fighters have a strong blow or are able to end the fight with a painful chokehold.

UFC Prop Bets

Prop bets are types of bets that are not directly related to Moneyline betting. They are very popular among punters and in the case of a correct prediction, players can generate large payouts. Here are some types of UFC prop bets that you can discover on sportsbooks’ websites.

• How the fight will end;
• Points handicap;
• Fight to go to the distance;
• Players touching their gloves.

The variety of other prop bets depends purely on a particular bookmaker. Some offer a wide range, while others limit players only to certain ones.

• Point Spreads;
• Method of Victory;
• Round Props;
• Time of the Fight.

UFC Round Betting/Total Rounds

Total means the sum of something in the fight itself. In this situation, we are considering the total of rounds, and if in the case of team sports it would be necessary to count and add up all the points of each team, then in relation to fights everything is much simpler. When betting on the total of rounds, the player will need to guess how many rounds a certain fight will take.

We can also point out that you can bet on the number of exact rounds in the UFC. Of all the types of betting in the UFC, this one can be a bit tricky, because it requires guessing the exact number of rounds.

Moreover, it does not guarantee an accurate forecast. We know there are fights that, on paper, seem balanced and doomed to continue. But in the end, everything ends with a knockout in the first or second round.

UFC Method of Victory Wagers

In addition to Moneyline betting, you can also predict how the fight will end. It is perhaps one of the most unpredictable bets in the UFC. This is because you are not trying to find out the result, but choosing how it will end.

A match in the UFC can end in different ways. It largely depends on the development of the battle. There are the following types you need to consider:

• Victory by knockout;
• Victory by technical knockout;
• Victory by submission;
• Victory by decision or by points.

UFC Live Betting and Where to Place These Wagers

Of course, live bets can also be placed on UFC fights. However, this may not be found on every sportsbook’s website. Many bookmakers have a much more modest offer than other popular sports. Many online sports betting sites even exclude the UFC entirely from their line. Therefore, choosing the right bookmaker for live betting is necessary.

Here are some essential tips you need to consider when betting live on UFC matches:

• Odds change all the time so you need to be alert;
• Make sure that you have a stable Internet connection;
• Watch the match directly while placing bets live.

UFC Future Champion Special

Of course, there are UFC bets that you can make for the long term. Futures betting refers to tournament winners and normally the odds on this line are pretty high. However, tournament winner or championship winner bets are rare, especially in UFC fights. You can predict the champion in each category as of the date selected by the bookmaker.

UFC Rematch Betting Strategy

Rematches are not alien for UFC fights. Athletes who have already faced each other are likely to hold another bout, which is called a rematch. The rematch betting strategy is really popular and by having a look at statistics you can discover interesting points.

UFC Fight Staring

Rematch Odds

The odds on rematches are interesting, and you need to closely follow them to generate more winnings. Below are some tips that will help you.

• Based on the statistics in 62% of rematch fights, the winners of previous fights ended up being victorious again, meaning that the odds on them will be low;
• Consider time between fights, before making bets.

Time Between Fights

Another interesting thing is to pay attention to the time between fights. Normally, a rematch takes place several months after the first bout was held. During this period, several factors might influence fighters’ conditions. Check carefully whether one of the fighters have issues with injuries because it will significantly affect the outcome of a fight.

Best UFC Betting Sites

Novice players frequently ask a question on where to bet on UFC fights. When you are looking for the best UFC betting sites you need to have a look at several factors such as the diversity of odds, additional bet market and bonuses. Based on these criteria, there are four betting sites for all categories:

• Bet365;
• 1xBet;
• Melbet;
• MararthonBet;
• BetWay;
• Bet9ja.

Parimatch is in the lead in terms of the number of UFC tournaments offered and the attractiveness of odds for the player. If for a player the lines at the UFC is in the first place, then the richest selection of bets is offered by 1xBet and Melbet.

Bet365 is also a good choice. The bookmaker keeps everything at a high level: both in the number of tournaments and the list at the UFC, and in the margin. Each of these bookmakers is popular among punters and provide a high level of reliability to customers.

UFC betting tips

How to bet on UFC fights online? Before choosing a specific bet, conduct a thorough analysis of fighters’ levels. Sometimes it is not enough to predict a short fight between two fighters. Here are the betting tips that will help you in UFC betting.

Know Your Fighters

Fights involving professionals are protracted. You need to know the fighter you are going to choose, as every athlete has different advantages and disadvantages when it comes to a fight.

In addition, you need to closely check:

• The previous meetings;
• Historical records;
• How a combatant chooses to fight against his opponent.

Players who are new to the sport have a good chance to defeat their opponents according to the statistics.

Watch Out for Southpaws

A southpaw is a fighter who is left-handed. This is an important betting tip to consider because such combatants stand with their left foot forward and usually throw heavy punches on their opponents, meaning that the majority of players will be thrown in a loop. Because of that, Conor McGregor is one of the top picks for punters.

Don’t Dismiss Underdogs

Betting on favourites is always a good idea, but generally, the odds are low compared to underdogs. You won’t really make a decent amount of money unless you start betting with a massive amount of money. Never hesitate to place bets on underdogs, as they can also pull off shocking wins over opponents.

• Check fighting style of underdogs;
• Examine a fighter’s track record and personal history.

Observe Strengths and Weaknesses

There is no athlete in the UFC, who does not have a weakness. Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each fighter will help to make correct bets. Some players struggle to fight with particular combatants, while others are comfortable with them. Strengths and weaknesses are very broad and include a lot of factors.

Well-Rounded UFC Fighters

In the UFC, it is difficult to find a versatile fighter who is equally confident in standing and on the ground. If you witness a fight with the participation of such a unique person - feel free to bet on his victory.

Examples of well-rounded fighters are Tony Ferguson, John Jones, Fedor Emelianenko. These guys with strong wrestling and punching abilities use versatile skills in difficult situations. It is really hard to compete against them.

Positive and Negative for Specialists

Well-rounded UFC fighters have great chances of winning against their opponents, but there are so-called “specialists” who only specialize in a particular martial direction. However, it has both positive and negative sides:

• Specialists who specialize in jujitsu are favourites to win against poor takedown defence combatants;
• The same jujitsu specialists might struggle against players, who have strong wrestling skills.

More Considerations Prior to Betting on UFC

We have talked about useful betting tips that are vital to know before making bets. We also have additional considerations for punters that will assist you throughout the betting process. They will notably increase your winning chances.

UFC weight cut

Weight Cut

We strongly recommend that you do not place your bets without watching the weigh-in ceremony. Weight cut is one of the most difficult stages in preparing athletes for a tournament. Many do not easily tolerate this process. At the weigh-in, you can at least somehow analyze the condition of the fighter. Often the weigh-in ceremony dispelled the last doubts about the outcome of the battle.

Pace and Output

Pace and output are 2 important concepts that are famous in MMA fights. There are 2 types:

• Low pace fighters;
• High pace fighters.

Low pace fighters normally lose more often than their counterparts. At the same time, the latter is more inclined to win whatever it takes. The pace of output has a direct impact on the outcome.

Injuries

Injuries are inherent to every sport - does not matter which one we are talking about. Some athletes are prone to injury and in the UFC, this could be a great problem. Check whether a particular player is injured or not, as it will significantly alter the chances of a favourite winning over an underdog.

• Avoid betting on a fighter who had a recent history with an injury;
• Make sure to read the latest news regarding players’ physical conditions.

Travel and Location

We can give a bunch of examples when a victory, in a controversial battle, was awarded to the fighter on whose territory the meeting took place (especially for tournaments held in Brazil). Everyone will remember a couple, three fights with such ambiguous decisions in favour of local athletes.

1. If, when analyzing the upcoming battle, there is a possibility that the confrontation will last the entire distance, then it is better not to bet on the visiting guest;
2. This also applies to fighters who are unstable;
3. With a controversial decision, it is highly likely that the victory will be given to a young, promising, promising fighter, rather than one who is boring and alternates between defeats and victories.

UFC Betting Apps

Betting apps have revolutionized the whole gambling industry. It is really convenient to place bets through your mobile phones. If you want to know how to bet on UFC with mobile apps, here is a list of the best apps that you can download on your iOS or Android devices:

• Betway;
• 1xBet
• Bet365

They provide a thorough line on UFC matches, as well as attractive design and a great user experience. Make sure to have an account created in advance, so you can start placing bets on your preferred matches. Also, check whether it is legal to place bets with your mobile phone where you live.

Best UFC Betting Strategies

There is no win-win strategy for UFC betting! The player can increase the chances of success due to the correctly selected system - financial or gaming, but cannot be 100% sure of his winnings. Only high-quality analytics and competent bankroll management can serve as a reliable basis for a successful long-distance game.

The most popular UFC betting strategies are the Flat and Ladder. We will tell you more about them.

Flat

The simplest approach to MMA betting will suit any beginner. The scheme is financial, but for successful bets, you need deep knowledge of mixed martial arts and high-quality pre-match analytics.

In accordance with this strategy, the bettor places fixed amounts of money on certain outcomes. It is not recommended to choose markets with high odds: in this case, the risk of losing increases significantly. Betting on the main outcomes, total rounds or the winning method are quite suitable for using this strategy for betting on fights in the UFC.

• It is not worth increasing the bet amount after several wins;
• Stick to your pre-planned budget. This way, beginners will be able to avoid a quick loss of the bank, and at the same time - gain valuable experience by placing bets on MMA online;
• Many experienced bettors also use this strategy when they master new sports or markets.

Ladder

This approach is not as rational as Flat, but it also helps to master UFC betting with minor financial losses.

The player allocates a fixed amount from the budget for betting (some prefer to use the entire bankroll) on the obvious favourites. Within the framework of one tournament, it is necessary to choose three or four fights in which experienced fighters are opposed by newcomers of the league or athletes with a low rating. A significant difference in chances is indicated in the odds: figures of the order of 1.15-1.20 indicate a clear superiority of the fighter over the opponent.

1. For the first event in the "ladder", the bettor should set the entire budget determined in advance for the strategy game;
2. If the bet wins, the initial budget plus the winnings from the first bet is placed on the next event. In case of another success, the initial pot plus the winnings are placed on the third event;
3. After the third or fourth win in a row, it is recommended that you stop playing this strategy for betting on the UFC.

Players of higher skill rarely use the ladder, considering bets on obvious favourites to be unpromising from the point of view of the possibility of getting big wins.

Final Thoughts on How to Bet on UFC

Among the options available for betting, there are always interesting events that lend themselves to analysis. You can place quality bets only when you have carried out effective preparation. You should be familiar with the peculiarities of the UFC, be able to correctly assess the form of most fighters and competently analyze the available information. Only in this situation, you can count on both profit and positive emotions from watching the fights.

Sports events in this discipline are intriguing, spectacular and dynamic. Therefore, every bettor has the opportunity to choose and conclude winning bets with a reliable bookmaker. To become a real punter in an exotic sport, study statistics, analyze and victory will be on your side.