From our most popular betting markets to some handy tips to follow, our UFC betting guide will teach you everything you need to know about betting on UFC.
Betway offer a range of different markets for customers looking to bet on UFC action. We provide betting markets for every UFC event, along with Bellator, Cage Warriors, BAMMA, Glory, KSW and ONE Championship.
If you are looking for expert predictions then head to our blog, the Betway Insider, for picks on all the biggest UFC fights.
How to bet on UFC fights
Using our UFC betting odds page, you can bet on all the biggest fights across the MMA promotion’s calendar, and choose from a wide variety of betting markets. Here are some of the most popular betting choices on UFC fights:
Fight Winner
This is the main market for betting on any UFC fight, and also arguably the easiest to understand.
The sportsbook will give you the option to select Fighter A or Fighter B to win. Simply select the fighter you believe will win to place your bet.
Round Winner
The ‘Round Betting’ market allows you to not just bet on the fighter you predict will win, but also to bet on the round in which they will end the fight. The sportsbook will give you several options depending on how many rounds there are in the fight.
For example, in a three-round bout, you will be given the following options:
Fighter A/Fighter B Round 1
Fighter A/Fighter B Round 2
Fighter A/Fighter B Round 3
Fighter A/Fighter B To Win on Points
Simply select the outcome you think most likely to place your bet.
Method of Victory
Instead of betting on the round in which your picked fighter will win, the ‘Method of Victory’ market allows you to predict exactly how they will end the fight.
The sportsbook will offer you a series of options for each fighter:
KO
TKO or Disqualification
Submission
Decision or Technical Decision
Draw or Technical Draw
Simply select the outcome you are predicting to place your bet.
Method and Round Betting
If you wish to be even more specific with your UFC betting, then the ‘Method and Round Betting’ is for you. As suggested in the name, this market combines the Round Betting market with the Method of Victory market, allowing you to predict how and when you believe the fight will end.
The sportsbook will present you with every possible outcome for the fight to end inside the distance. Simply select the outcome you believe will happen to place your bet.
Total Rounds
Instead of placing a bet on a specific outcome, the ‘Total Rounds’ market allows you to predict how many rounds the fight will go. If you’re betting on a three-round bout, you will be given the options like Over/Under 1.5 rounds and Over/Under 2.5 rounds.
If you’re betting on a five-round bout, you will get further options like Over/Under 3.5 and 4.5 rounds. Just select an Over/Under to place your bet!
When Will the Fight End
Much like the Total Rounds market, ‘When Will the Fight End’ allows you to bet on the round in which you believe the fight will end, without having to pick a fighter. Because you are selecting a single round and not a range, the odds in this market tend to be longer.
Simply select the round in which you believe the fight will end to place your bet.
Will the Fight Go the Distance?
This is one of the most straightforward markets offered for UFC betting on the sportsbook.
You will be given two options, Yes or No. Simply select whether you think the fight will go to the judges’ scorecards or not.
Decision Victories
If you believe that a fight will go the distance, the ‘Decision Victories’ market allows you to be more specific with your prediction.
The sportsbook will give you the option of Unanimous Decision and Split/Majority Decision for both fighters, as well as options for No Scorecard and Draw.
Just select the option you predict to place your bet.
Gone in 60 Seconds
If you have your eye on a fight that you believe either fighter could win within the first minute, then the Gone In 60 Seconds market can be useful.
You don’t even have to select a fighter; the sportsbook gives you just one option: ‘Either to Win in 60 Seconds.’
UFC betting advice
Interested in learning more about how to bet on UFC fights? We’ve pulled out a few pointers to help!
Know your fighters
As with betting on any sport, it pays to do your research before wagering on UFC fights. Looking at each fighters’ record, recent fights, training camp, coaching staff and injuries can help you understand what shape they are in coming into the fight.
Those who already know what it takes to become UFC champion, having won previous titles, are often listed as the favourite to win in title fights, so make sure you pay attention to which fighters are currently holding belts. Understanding how their reach, stance and pace matchup with their opponent can further help you decide which fighter to back.
Simple things like age are also crucial, with older fighters statistically more likely to suffer knockouts than their younger counterparts. By studying each combatant, you are giving yourself a much better chance of success when it comes to picking fights.
Keep an eye on the weigh-ins
Cutting weight is a massive part of modern mixed martial arts, and can help determine who wins come fight night. Every weight cut is different, and a fighter who cruised through their last cut will not necessarily do so again before their next fight.
By keeping an eye on the weigh-ins, which take place the day before UFC events, you are able to better understand the condition that each fighter is in. Those that have struggled to make weight can see their performance suffer the next day, and spotting this can be crucial for UFC betting success.
This is not to say that all fighters who have a bad weight cut will lose, but it is important to understand the preparation of each competitor before betting on UFC fights.
Location and setting is crucial
Another factor to consider when betting on UFC is both the location of the event and the arena in which it is taking place.
For instance, if an event is being held in Brazil, and a fighter has travelled from Europe, then they could in theory be at a disadvantage to their opponent: they will have travelled for many hours, have had to deal with jet lag, and will be living and training in unfamiliar surroundings.
The other thing that you need to consider is cage size. Most UFC events utilise a 756sqft cage, but some arenas only have space for a smaller 518sqft cage. With less space to operate in, smaller cages tend to produce more finishes, with larger cases producing more decisions.
How to read UFC betting odds
Our UFC betting odds are presented in a fractional format (e.g. 3/1, 5/6, etc.). In this format, the number on the right hand side of the line represents your stake, and the number on the left hand side shows how much of it you could earn back with a win.
For example, with a 3/1 bet, you’ll earn 3 times your stake (plus the money you originally bet). This means that a £10 bet could earn you £30, plus your original £10 stake, for a total of £40.
Smaller fractions mean that a fighter is deemed to have a greater chance of winning. For example, if a fighter has odds of 2/5 to win, they’re considered more likely to take a victory than a fighter with a 4/1 chance of winning. However, because of their shorter odds, the favourite will earn you less money for a successful result.
If you still need pointers on how to read UFC odds, you can read our fractional odds guide for a more detailed breakdown, or use our betting calculator to easily see how much you could earn.
Where are UFC fights held?
UFC fights are held around the world, with fighters typically only taking part in a few bouts each year. The United States is the country that hosts the most UFC events each year, although they typically tour the world and are shown from a variety of countries.
In 2024, a total of 42 UFC events were held in 10 different countries, including Mexico, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. 14 of these events were broadcast on pay-per-view.
How to bet on women’s UFC fights
Since 2013, UFC has also featured women’s bouts. Some of the biggest names in the promotion’s history, such as Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes, helped pave the way for improved women’s representation in the sport.
To bet on a women’s UFC match, simply view the cards for an upcoming UFC event, and select the fight you’d like to bet on. Once you’ve chosen your stake, our betslip will show you how much you could earn from a potential win. Then, click ‘Place bet’ once you’re happy, and watch the match to see if your chosen result comes true.
Where to find the latest UFC betting picks and predictions
Hopefully you’ve found out UFC betting guide and advice useful and feel confident placing a wager on an upcoming fight!
However, if you’re looking for the latest news and betting picks, stay tuned to our Betway Insider UFC blog. We’ll keep you updated on the latest happenings throughout the year, as well as the favourites to win all the biggest bouts. You can also use our blog to learn more about the sport, such as how the UFC scoring system works.
Stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.
