How To Bet On The UFC - Guide to Odds, Bets and UFC Betting Strategies Cover

How To Bet On The UFC - Guide to Odds, Bets and UFC Betting Strategies

by Oddspedia Experts
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The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, is the largest MMA promotional company that started operating in 1993. UFC produces MMA events across 12 weight divisions and operates under Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts laws. The thrilling action of UFC events has spiked the demand for UFC betting options. It has also led to the need for Oddspedia gambling tools amongst bettors who want to place UFC bets. Read this online betting guide for the UFC to learn how to bet on the UFC and more.
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How UFC Betting Works

Betting on the UFC is easy, so long as you understand the sport. The process entails predicting what might happen during the fight. To do so, you must be conversant with the available betting markets for the UFC before you even think about coming up with UFC or MMA betting strategies. This is because the markets dictate the forecasts you can make at the best UFC betting site.

Based on the betting options, you can predict the fighter likely to win the event or the number of rounds the fight will likely last. You can also place prop bets, among others. Besides the UFC betting markets, you need to:

Understand UFC Odds and Formats

The Ultimate Fighting Championship market comes with odds whose size differs depending on the likelihood of the event occurring. If you are new to Mixed Martial Arts betting, you should know that odds determine your payout if you place a winning bet.

For example, American UFC odds come with (-) and (+) signs. The former denotes the favourite, whereas the latter refers to the underdog. You should also note that MMA odds formats vary from one sports betting site to another, with reputable UFC betting sites guaranteeing competitive odds. However, an ideal bookie should provide you with all odds types: decimal, fractional, American, Hong Kong, Indonesia, etc.

UFC matches have multiple betting options you must know if you want to enjoy betting on any UFC fight. One of the popular markets is round betting, where you predict the fighter that will win the fight and the number of rounds the event will last. Other betting options include:

Outright (Winner) Bets

As the name suggests, Outright Winner is a bet type that allows you to pick the fighter likely to win. Despite being one of the most straightforward betting markets, Outright Winner requires you to do extensive research to get the best results.

A good example of an Outright Winner bet is when you choose Chris Curtis to beat Joaquin Buckley in a UFC 282 preliminary card event.

Over/Under Rounds

Over/Under rounds is a relatively easy bet that requires you to determine the total number of rounds a fight will last before a winner is announced. Note that this totals bet does not require you to state the exact number but instead predict whether the number of rounds will be Over or Under a particular figure. For instance, if Israel Adesanya is fighting Alex Pereira, you should expect Over or Under bets like:

  • Over/Under 1.5
  • Over/Under 2.5
  • Over/Under 3.5

Note that if you place the Under 1.5 bet, the match must end in the first round for you to win.

Method of Victory

The method of victory market requires you to predict the type of method by which the winner will beat their opponent. For instance, if Carla Esparza is fighting Weili Zhang, you can choose either of the following methods of victory.

  • Win By Knockout, Disqualification, Or Technical Knockout
  • Win By Decision
  • Win By Submission

Props

Props betting is a market that allows you to predict events that will not affect the final results. These kinds of bets are common in MMA fighting, allowing bettors to place wagers that would otherwise be impossible. For example, in a UFC 281 martial arts fight between Frankie Edgar and Chris Gutierrez, you will find prop bets like:

  • A Certain Fighter To Go The Distance
  • Inside The Distance
  • The Fight Finishes Between 00:00 To 00:59 Minutes

Long-term Wagers (Future Bets) UFC Bets

UFC long-term wagers or future bets are common among most online bookmakers. You are likely to come across multiple long-term bets in upcoming fights. The wagers allow you to bet on events scheduled to occur shortly. So far, some of the main UFC future bet types include:

  • UFC Men's Bantamweight Champion Winner
  • UFC Flyweight Futures Betting Odds Winner
  • UFC Men's Featherweight Champion Winner

One of the main reasons why most bettors opt for long-term wagers is that they usually come with fantastic odds. After all, the events tend to lack many statistics you can use for research, making it hard to place the correct bet.

In-fight Betting for UFC Fight Nights

The UFC provides punters with multiple betting opportunities. Apart from regular wagering, you may find a bookie offering in-fight betting solutions for UFC fight nights. This is equivalent to live betting in other sports. That said, in-fight betting entails betting on UFC fights as they continue. Therefore, you can make predictions even with the two fighters already in the octagon.

However, unlike regular wagering, in-fight bets require bettors to use the latest data to place bets. As a result, most online bookies offer their customers live statistics and live scores of the ongoing UFC event. Some even allow you to stream the event live while betting.

Remember, in-fight betting usually comes with fewer markets compared to regular bets. Even so, you will never miss popular bet types such as round betting market, Over/Under, Final Results, and Method of Victory.

How To Bet On The UFC: Step-By-Step Guide

Now that you understand UFC betting markets and odds, it is time to look at the steps you need to take to bet on UFC events. Before placing your bet, do it on the right bookmaker. For instance, the bookie should comprehensively cover UFC matches with multiple markets.

Furthermore, it should have high odds with multiple betting features such as cash-out and bet builder. If you are uncertain whether your choice is good, go through the bookie review to learn more about the betting site. After that, launch the site on your computer or mobile phone and continue as follows:

  • Sign Up For A Sports Betting Account
  • Verify Your Information And Fund Your Bookmaker Account
  • Navigate To UFC And Pick The Ideal Fight, Whether Preliminary Or Main Card
  • Go Through The Markets
  • Compare The Odds
  • Add The Ideal Bet Type On Your Bet Slip
  • Wager Some Money And Submit The Bet Slip

How To Start Betting?

Everything You Need To Know In 5 Easy Steps!

How To Start Betting?
Pick A Highly Rated Bookie

Find the right bookmaker for you and sign up.

Fund Your Account

Make a deposit with the payment method you prefer. Consider responsible gambling features and bankroll management.

Claim Your Bonus

Many betting sites have a welcome bonus or free bet, which you can claim after making the first deposit. *never forget to read the small print!

Choose An Event To Bet On

Find an event you are interested in, select a betting market that appeals to you the most and "click" on the odds.

Start Betting

Go to the bet slip and input the details of your desired bet and confirm the wager.

UFC Betting Tips And Strategies

There are many factors to consider when betting on UFC events, especially if you want to place correct bets. Some critical factors double up as UFC betting tips and strategies, most of which are discussed below:

Look Out For the Best Available Betting Odds

When placing bets, you must look for the best available odds. First, compare fight odds and only pick bookies that offer the best prices in the market. If you don't know which bookmakers to consider, use Oddspedia as your guide. The betting resource has a section to compare the UFC odds of different markets from several betting sites. Remember, the odds will determine how much you will earn if your bet wins.

Follow UFC Tipsters and Their Expert Predictions

The best way to ensure your prediction is correct is to follow UFC tipsters and review their expert predictions. Tipsters have extensive knowledge of the UFC, making it easy to place winning bets whether the event involves young or old fighters. You should check Oddspedia if you want UFC tipsters with high hit rates. Once you identify them, review their forecasts and see if they match your findings.

Take The Small Wins And Profits

The final betting strategy to remember is always to take small wins. Sports betting is based on luck, so you cannot be sure when you will make a profit. That said, consider pocketing every small win you make. This betting strategy will help you avoid disappointments. Furthermore, it is one of the best ways to enjoy UFC betting, whether wagering on the round betting market or outright fight-winner.

Take Advantage Of Bonuses and Promotions

Always take advantage of bonuses and promotions. The first lesson on betting on the UFC is never missing out on a promotion. Different bookmakers offer bonuses that you can use to bet on other UFC fights. The bonus offers may include free bets, match deposit promos, and cashback offers. However, before activating a promo, ensure you review the terms and conditions to ensure the bonus stipulations are favourable.

  • 200% Deposit Bonus up to $3,000
    Claim bonus
    Exclusive

    Max. bet is set to 1% of the deposit value when claiming a promo. 18+ T&Cs apply.

  • Up To $30 Bet Credits
    Claim bonus

    18+ T&Cs apply.

  • 100% Welcome Bonus up to $122
    No code required Claim bonus

    18+ T&Cs apply.

  • 100% First Deposit Bonus up to $200
    Claim bonus
    Exclusive

    Use the promo code "ODDSB" to increase your bonus by an additional 100%. 18+ T&Cs apply.

  • Get up to $100 Matched Bet
    No code required Claim bonus

    Matched Bonus paid in Free Bets. Geo Restrictions apply. New 18+ customers only. T&Cs apply.

Most Common UFC Betting Mistakes

UFC betting for beginners available on the internet doesn't explain the common mistakes gamblers make. This is quite a downside, given that most UFC Las Vegas bettors hardly make profits because of the simple errors they make when gambling online. Some of these mistakes include:

Not Familiar with the MMA or The UFC

Before you start placing bets online, you should know that MMA is a full-contact fighting sport, whereas UFC is the organisation that promotes fights. You will be surprised how many bettors who wager on UFC are unfamiliar with the event. That said, make sure you understand the sport inside out.

You can do so by carrying out adequate research online. Ensure you know different types of championships and which fighters currently dominate various weight classes. With the information, you will make minimum errors. This will come in handy when placing bets online.

Ignoring The Fighter's Form and Their Out-Ring Distractions

When placing UFC bets, check the fighter's form and note their non-fight distractions. If possible, find out the fighter's training regimen and medical reports. Also, go through their previous fights and gather information about their performance.

Finally, research about the non-fight distractions that may affect their performance in the octagon. Failure to do this will cost you when placing UFC bets online.

Mismanaging Your Bankroll

New bettors have a weakness of mismanaging their bankroll. This has seen many UFC gamblers run into debt. To avoid such a scenario, set up your UFC betting budget aside.

In short, decide how much you will wager in a day, week, or month, and see that you stick to the budget. You can also take a step further and set your daily and weekly betting limits.

Betting on Your Favourite Fighter

Betting on your favourite fighter without data and information backing your prediction is a mistake you should avoid. Every time you want to place a UFC bet involving a UFC fighter, make sure you do research and gather enough information. After that, place bets based on the findings and not emotions.

UFC Betting FAQ

Is It worthwhile to Bet On the UFC?

Yes, it is worthwhile to bet on the UFC. MMA offers gamblers many betting opportunities they can take advantage of and try their luck to win money. You should also know that UFC fights feature a wide range of markets, so you can be sure that you will have an easy time placing bets regardless of the bookie you are using.

🏆 What is an ITD Wager in UFC Betting?

An ITD wager is a market that states a UFC fighter will win the event before all three or five rounds are complete. This means there will be no decision by the judges. The fight might end as a submission, technical knockout, or knockout. Note that you can make an ITD wager on different sportsbooks so long as they offer UFC betting services.

😎 Which Is The Best UFC Betting Site?

The best UFC betting site is Bet365.Unlike most sports betting platforms, Bet365 offers users access to a wide range of UFC markets, including UFC 282, UFC 281, and UFC 280. Your only job is deciding whether to gamble on early preliminaries, preliminary cards, or the main card. Bet365 also has fantastic odds sizes for different markets, allowing you to enjoy your online betting sessions.

🧐 Are the UFC and MMA the Same Thing?

The UFC and the MMA are not very similar. This is because the UFC is the company that organises and promotes fights in the octagon. On the other hand, Mixed Martial Arts is a full-contact sport that involves two fighters who battle to find the winner. Therefore, even though UFC and MMA are used interchangeably, one is the fight, whereas the other is the company that promotes it.

🧮 How Are the UFC Betting Odds Calculated?

UFC odds are calculated just like odds for other sports. All you need to do is divide probability by the answer you get after subtracting probability from one. The odds usually represent the chances of a specific outcome occurring. Furthermore, they help bettors identify the favourite from the underdog.

What is a Method of Victory 5-way Bet?

Method of victory 5-way is a market that requires you to predict how the match is likely to end. However, by including 5-way, the referee will stop the game in the fifth round if the fighter wins by technical knockout, knockout, disqualification, split decision, and unanimous decision.

💵 Can I Bet On Live UFC Fights?

Yes, you can bet on live UFC fights. Most sports betting sites allow players to bet on UFC fights as they continue. Online bookmakers provide users with statistics, live scores, and live streaming services to make live betting much more exciting. But then, remember that most live betting matches come with fewer markets, but this varies depending on the sportsbook.

🤔 What Is The Most Popular Bet For The UFC?

The most popular UFC bet is Outright Fight Winner. It requires you to predict the fighter that will triumph in the end. With this market, bettors don't need to state by how many points or the method of victory.
Outright Winner bet is the most popular because it is straightforward and thus easy to research, even if you are an amateur bettor. But then, you must know the fighter's form and condition, among other factors, to place the correct fight-winner bet.

🥋 Is The UFC The Best MMA Fighting Championship?

No, as Aussie Rules football is the sport played in the AFL - Australian Football League. The AFL is the only competitive league in the world for whatever name you wish to use: Aussie Rules, footy, or Australian Football; furthermore, different sportsbooks refer to Aussie Rules using the AFL.

💰 What Types of UFC Betting Offers Are at Online Sportsbooks?

Bookmakers provide users with different UFC betting offers, including free bets, which you can use to wager on UFC events without staking actual money. They also have match deposit promotions and cashback offers determined by the amount you lose on bets.
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This article was written by our team of betting experts, any contributing references are noted below.
Last updated 06/10/2023
References
  1. Ultimate Fighting Championship. (2022, December 8). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship
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