The UFC is one of the world’s most popular sports, offering betting markets on the fight winner, method of victory, rounds, statistics, and various special bets. In this guide, we explain how these work and what to look out for before placing a bet.
Most Popular UFC Bets
| Bet Type | What is predicted? |
|---|---|
| Fight Winner | Who wins the match |
| Method of Victory | KO/TKO, submission, or decision |
| Total Rounds | How long the fight lasts |
| Fight Goes the Distance | Whether all rounds are contested |
| Double Chance (Method of Victory) | Two possible methods of victory |
| Winner + Method of Victory | The winner and the method of winning |
| Winning Round | In which round the fight ends |
| Statistical Bets | Strikes, takedowns, knockdowns |
| Live Betting | Bets placed during the fight |
Fight Winner
The simplest UFC bet is predicting the winner of the fight.
For example:
- Ilia Topuria
- Islam Makhachev
If you bet on Topuria, he must win the fight. It does not matter whether the victory comes via knockout, submission, or judges’ decision.
The “fight winner” bet or moneyline is the most popular UFC betting market and is particularly well-suited for beginners.
What is a “Method of Victory” bet?
With a “method of victory” bet, you predict not only the winner but also how the victory is achieved.
The most common options are:
- KO or TKO
- Submission
- Judges’ decision
For example:
Islam Makhachev wins:
- By KO/TKO
- By submission
- By judges’ decision
If you choose submission, the fight must end with the opponent submitting. Winning method bets usually offer higher odds than standard win bets, but they are harder to get right.
Winning method: Double Chance
Sometimes, a bettor does not have to choose just one winning method.
For example:
- KO/TKO or submission
- KO/TKO or decision
- Submission or decision
This type of bet increases your chances of winning, as two out of three possible scenarios result in a win.
Will the fight go the distance?
One of the most popular UFC bets is predicting whether the fight will go to a judges’ decision.
The options are usually:
- Yes, the fight will go the distance
- No, the fight will not go the distance
This market is a great choice when a bettor has a strong opinion on the fighters’ styles but finds predicting the winner more difficult.
For example, heavyweight bouts more frequently end before the final round, whereas technical and defensive fighters are more likely to go to a judges’ decision.
What is the total number of rounds?
Betting on the total number of rounds is also very popular in the UFC.
For example:
- Over 2.5 rounds
- Under 2.5 rounds
If the fight reaches the halfway point of the third round or goes beyond it, the “Over 2.5 rounds” bet wins.
If the fight ends before that point, the “Under 2.5 rounds” bet wins.
This type of bet focuses on the duration of the fight rather than the winner.
What is a winning round bet?
A round bet involves predicting in which round the fight will end.
For example:
- The fight ends in Round 1
- The fight ends in Round 2
- The fight ends in Round 3
If a fighter scores a knockout in the second round, the “Round 2” selection wins.
These bets often offer very attractive odds.
Will the fight reach the next round?
A popular alternative to standard round betting is predicting whether the fight will reach a specific round.
For example:
- Fight starts Round 2
- Fight starts Round 3
- Fight starts Round 4
- Fight starts Round 5
These markets allow you to focus on the fighters’ endurance and the pace of the fight.
Winner and Method of Victory Combination
One of the most popular UFC bets offering higher odds combines the winner and the method of victory.
For example:
- Alex Pereira wins by KO/TKO
- Alex Pereira wins by submission
- Alex Pereira wins by judges’ decision
With these bets, you must correctly predict two outcomes simultaneously, which results in a higher potential payout.
UFC Statistical Bets
In recent years, betting markets based on fighter statistics have become increasingly popular.
The most common statistical markets include:
- Takedowns
- Significant strikes
- Knockdowns
For example:
- Merab Dvalishvili: Over 5.5 takedowns
- Sean O’Malley: Over 75.5 significant strikes
- A fighter records at least one knockdown
These markets are particularly well-suited for fans who closely follow fighter statistics and fighting styles.
UFC special bets
For certain major UFC fight nights, various special bets are also offered.
For example:
- Will the fight end within the first minute?
- Will a fighter win by submission?
- Will the victory come via unanimous decision?
- Will the fight end in the opening round?
These markets can offer very high odds but require more in-depth analysis.
Live betting on the UFC
The UFC is perfect for live betting because the odds shift after every round and sometimes even during the fight itself.
Popular live bets:
- Fight winner
- Total rounds
- Method of victory
- Will the fight go to the judges’ decision?
- Statistical bets
For example, a fighter might lose the opening round but then become the favorite after a successful ground game or if their opponent shows signs of fatigue.
How to evaluate a UFC fight?
Before placing a bet, it is worth researching:
Fighter’s Style
Is the fighter:
- A striker?
- A wrestler?
- A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist?
- A well-rounded MMA fighter?
Recent Results
It is worth evaluating:
- Recent fights
- Injuries
- The caliber of defeated opponents
- The reasons for any losses
Stamina and Endurance
Some fighters start aggressively but tire quickly. Others get stronger in the later rounds. These factors directly influence bets on rounds and fight duration.
Common Mistakes in UFC Betting
Over-focusing on the Record
A 20-1 record doesn’t necessarily mean a fighter is better than their opponent.
Overlooking fighting styles
Sometimes, the matchup of styles matters more in a fight than overall statistics.
Emotional betting
Betting on your favorite fighter can lead to poor decisions.
Ignoring the method of victory
Certain fighters win most of their bouts in a very similar way, and markets for the method of victory can offer better value than a standard bet on the winner.
How to bet on the UFC responsibly?
- Bet responsibly. 18+
- Set a strict budget
- Don’t try to chase losses
- Avoid making decisions based on emotion
- Research the statistics before betting
- Only bet amounts you can afford to lose
- Read about responsible gaming
UFC offers bettors a wide range of markets. In addition to predicting the winner, you can bet on the method of victory, rounds, statistics, whether the fight goes the distance, and special bets. The better you understand the various UFC markets, the more informed your betting decisions will be.
FAQ about UFC betting
What is a “method of victory” bet?
A method of victory bet involves predicting whether a fighter will win by KO/TKO, submission, or judges’ decision.
What does a “fight goes the distance” bet mean?
This bet involves predicting whether the fight will last the full duration of all scheduled rounds.
What is a UFC round bet?
A round bet involves predicting in which round the fight will end.
Can I bet on statistics in UFC?
Yes. At OlyBet, you can bet on things like takedowns, significant strikes, and knockdowns.
Which UFC bet is suitable for beginners?
The fight winner market, also known as the “money line”, is best suited for beginners, as it simply requires predicting the winner of the match.
