UFC Betting
MMA has surged in popularity over the last 20 years in particular, with the MMA betting community expanding hugely as a result. While once considered a "fringe sport", it is estimated that MMA is the fourth-most followed sport worldwide and the fastest-growing sport globally.
MMA betting works in the same way as betting on any other market, with punters having the option to bet on various aspects of an MMA fight. Popular bets include outright winner, method of victory and round betting. However, due to the growing demand, there are now hundreds of MMA betting opportunities for one given fight.
While MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) as a whole is much-followed, the majority of online bets are placed on fights under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) umbrella. UFC is MMA's "big league". To have the opportunity to fight in the UFC, fighters from all over the world train and compete. This is where the more mainstream fights take place, with worldwide coverage maximising exposure and whetting the appetite of sports bettors. If you are into UFC, you will know that, like any combat sport, trash talk is prevalent. This only adds to the fun and anticipation of entering the octagon!
UFC Fights to Bet On in 2024
Feb 17 UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria 2024
Feb 24 UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 2024
Mar 2 UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev 2024
Mar 9 UFC 299: O'Malley vs. Vera 2 2024
Mar 16 UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura 2024
Mar 23 UFC Fight Night: Ribas vs. Namajunas 2024
Mar 30 UFC Fight Night: Brady vs. Luque 2024
Apr 6 UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Allen 2024
Apr 13 UFC 300 2024
MMA Betting Types: Popular Selections
UFC fights very much take the same format as boxing betting selections. Here are just a few of the most popular bet types placed:
To Win - This is the most straightforward betting type, which sees punters predict who will win their respective fight.
3-Way UFC Bet - Three outcomes are possible in UFC/MMA: Fighter A wins, Fighter B wins, or the match finishes in a draw. 3-way bets give punters complete coverage, letting them gamble on either Fighter A or B to win or on a tie at the end of the match.
Method of Victory - This is another popular type of UFC bet that predicts how a particular fighter will win. Examples include KO (Knockout), TKO (Technical Knockout), Submission, Unanimous Decision, etc.
Round Betting: Round betting is as its name suggests. That said, round betting includes predicting in which round the fight will end, or the total number of rounds in the fight.
The Fight to Go the Distance: Many punters will look to place bets on the likelihood of a UFC fight going the distance, i.e. all rounds being completed.
UFC Accas: While we tend to associate accumulator betting with football and horse racing markets, accas are incredibly popular amongst UFC bettors. Accas permit punters to bundle a variety of selections into one bet, all of which need to be correct for the bet to be a success. While there is a lot more risk due to the number of bets, accas can be HUGELY rewarding when they come in.
Bet-Builders: Bet-builders are a hotly-favoured bet type amongst UFC bettors, especially the more serious of gamblers, Bet-Builders are, as you would have guessed, a way for punters to build their own betting markets! Bet Builders permit you to make your bet by choosing multiple selections for the same event, i.e. the same UFC match.
UFC Betting Promotions: Free Bets and Offers
There are a range of betting promotions specifically designed for UFC bettors. These can be great for punters searching for better value for their bets. Below is a rundown of the best offers UFC bettors can claim on UK betting sites:
Free Bets: Free bets are the most useful and commonly offered type of betting offer, especially for UFC markets. Free bets give punters a way to place their bets for free. However, there are various terms and conditions attached to free bets, including deposit requirements, market restrictions and so on.
Acca Insurance: Acca betting is popular in the sport, with bettors wanting to bundle a variety of selections into one wager. Acca Insurance gives bettors their stake back as cash if one (or more) or your acca legs let you down.
Loyalty Rewards: Most MMA/UFC betting sites will feature a loyalty reward scheme, providing punters with bonuses and other incentives in exchange for their loyalty.
UFC Betting FAQs
If you are new to UFC betting or simply want to brush up on your betting knowledge, the below FAQs will come in handy!