Tips for UFC Fight Nights

UFC Betting Guide

The first MMA fight occurred back in 1993 and since then, betting on UFC fights has been a popular option for sports bettors. Dominating the sport for over 20 years, the UFC remains one of the largest mixed martial arts betting options. With various fighting styles, different weight classes, and male and female competitions, there are endless betting options. This guide walks bettors through the process of placing UFC bets and we also provide some betting strategies that can help improve results. Check out the most popular UFC bets and prepare for an exciting and rewarding betting experience.

💡UFC Markets
📈Opening and Closing Odds
📊Underdogs and Favorites
🥇UFC Strategies

UFC Markets

Given its popularity, MMA, including UFC is available at all of the top US sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetRivers. To find all of the open markets, navigate to MMA listed under the sports section. Once there, you'll be able to see all of the upcoming fights and fight nights with available betting markets. Here are the most popular UFC betting markets:

Over/Under and Round Betting

One of the popular betting options for UFC is over/under and round betting. This will allow bettors to place wagers on when the fight will end. All of the top sportsbooks will set an over/under total based on the expected number of rounds to be completed. There will also be a price set for the Over and Under and this will be based on the probability of that fight reaching the round totals.

For example, if a fight is scheduled for five rounds, the round total may be set at 3.5. If one fighter is known for having early knockouts and the other has suffered KO losses in the past, an Under 3.5 rounds option provides high implied probability and the vig will then be adjusted.

UFC Moneyline Odds

The moneyline bet is one of the simplest that can be made and it is a great starting point for beginners. With this, bettors will choose the winner of the match or event. If that fighter does win, payouts will be awarded based on the odds when the bet was placed. The odds of UFC moneyline bets are around average, but if there is a clear favorite, the odds may change a bit.

UFC Props

Prop bets are what makes UFC betting exciting. There are many types of prop bets that are offered at sportsbooks. For example, one can bet on whether a particular fight will go the distance, meaning it will last the full five rounds. Method of victory is another popular prop bet along with Inside the Distance, referring to betting on a fighter to win within a specific number of rounds.

UFC Parlays

Parlay betting can be difficult and is best suited for those with UFC betting experience. With this, a bet is placed that includes multiple bets. Bettors will place a series of wagers where they choose the winners for different fights. To win, all selected fighters must win their match. If just one loses, the parlay bet will be lost. One thing to consider is the value when placing parlay bets. To get more value, consider placing an underdog selection with two or more heavy favorites.

Opening and Closing Odds

No matter what type of bet is being placed, it is important to understand how the odds work. When a match is announced and listed on a sportsbook, there will be opening odds. As soon as customers begin placing bets, the odds will be adjusted based on what wagers are being placed. As the odds change the value of the bets will also change. The odds that are listed when the sportsbook stops accepting bets will be known as the closing odds, which are often much higher than the opening odds. The key to success is placing odds early, especially when selecting heavy favorites.

Big Underdogs and Heavy Favorites

Now that bettors understand how the opening and closing odds work, they must also understand how the big underdogs and heavy favorites alter these odds. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how any fighter will perform at any time. This is why research is important. It is the responsibility of the bettor to gather as much information as possible to make an educated bet. A heavy favorite may attract wagers, but that does not mean that the fighter will be the winner. The same with underdogs. There are some underdogs that will stun the crowd and easily beat a favorite, while in other cases, the underdog will continue to succumb to the power of the favorite.

UFC Pick’em

It is common for a UFC fight to be called a Pick’em. With these fights, both involved will have similar strengths and will also have the same betting lines. Equally matched fighters can present a problem for those trying to choose who will be the winner. With pick-ems, sportsbooks often list the odds at -110. If bettors have complete confidence in one of the fighters, this may be a good time to lay down a bet.

UFC Strategies

There are various strategies that can be used when considering bets on UFC matches. While there is no guarantee that any bet will produce a return, these strategies do provide a slight edge for the bettor.

Size Up Styles

Take time to learn the styles of each fighter involved. Some are known for being upright strikers while others are more skilled in wrestling. Looking at style can provide insight into which fighters will have an advantage.

Fighter Records

The records of each fighter are one of the first pieces of information bettors should consider. Be sure to look beyond wins and losses and review the MMA news about each fighter. In some cases, a fighter with many wins is not always the best option especially if those wins came against inferior competition.

Be Aware of Injuries

This is a strategy that is used with all sports and with UFC matches, there are often injuries sustained. It is important to track how fighters have recovered or healed and whether those injuries caused a change in their fighting style.

Conclusion

When betting on UFC fights, there will be many options. Each sportsbook will have markets listed along with the associated odds. Shopping around can help bettors find the best possible odds along with the best value. As always, knowledge is power when it comes to placing sports bets. The more information bettors know about a fighter, including their style, past performances, strengths, and weaknesses, the better chances they have at placing a winning bet.

Since there are many fights scheduled throughout the year, there are always great UFC options at online sportsbooks. By understanding bet types and knowing what to look for in each fighter, bettors can find great options that can lead to some super returns.

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