In terms of combat sports, nothing beats the UFC. Get it? Beats! Dad joke alert! Anyway, UFC odds have long enticed bettors to wager on their favorite fighters in order to make some coin.
In order to bet on the UFC, you need a basic understanding of the sport and fighters, and you need to learn how to read the odds. Odds Shark’s got you covered like two fighters locked in a clinch.
See Odds Shark’s Best UFC Sites
How To Read UFC Odds
Most sports odds are presented in the same way. The favorite is represented by the minus sign (-), while the underdog is represented by the plus sign (+). You’ll also notice that odds are usually based on bettors wagering $100.
When you see +110 or -110, it means that the juice or vig – what the sportsbook collects – is $10. Sportsbooks have to make money in order to be able to operate and the juice is usually in the $5 to $10 range.
For example, you may see odds for a fight between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov shown like this:
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| McGregor | +125 |
| Nurmagomedov | -155 |
If you decided to bet the favorite (Nurmagomedov), you would need to lay down $155 to win $100. Conversely, if you bet the underdog (McGregor), you would only need to lay down $100 to win $125.
Underdog bets come with more risk, which is why you don’t have to put up as much money as you would with a bet on the favorite. Something to note, you don’t have to bet $100 on the game. You can wager whatever you like, depending on the sportsbook.
Kudos to you if you can spell “Nurmagomedov” on your first try. Some of us had to look it up.
Types Of Bets You Can Make On UFC
When it comes to wagering on this combat sport, you have many options like the moneyline, method of victory and total rounds.
To Win Fight
UFC moneyline betting simply comes down to betting on who you believe is going to win the fight. For example, Conor McGregor was a -140 favorite for his fight vs Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | -140 |
| Eddie Alvarez | +110 |
To win $100, you would need to wager $140 on McGregor. Alvarez was the +110 underdog, which means you would only need to wager $100 to win $110.
Fight Outcome
The method of victory bet is a wager you place on how the fight will be won instead of who will win it.
| Method of Victory | McGregor Odds | Alvarez Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Knockout | +150 | +180 |
| Submission | +250 | +300 |
| Decision | +110 | +250 |
Using the same example of UFC 205, if you believe McGregor will win via knockout – which he did – that would be your method of victory bet.
Round Betting
A total rounds wager is similar to an OVER/UNDER bet you would make on any other sport but instead of guessing if the points total will be less or more than the amount set by the sportsbook, you would bet the number of rounds.
| Option | Rounds |
|---|---|
| OVER | 2.5 |
| UNDER | 2.5 |
If you think the fight between McGregor and Nurmagomedov will be over in 2.5 rounds or less, you would bet the UNDER. If you think the fight will go more than 2.5 rounds, you would bet the OVER.
UFC Betting Tactics
The straightforward nature of UFC betting leads to straightforward handicapping and strategy as well. UFC bettors are tasked with picking:
- • Winners
- • How a fight will end
- • How long a fight will last
In order to make smart bets, you’ll need to do your homework. The only difference between doing your homework now vs when you were in high school is that UFC homework can win you some money. If only that were the case when you were a teenager, although you probably would’ve spent your homework reward money on Nine Inch Nails CDs like some of us did thinking they were going to start the goth revolution.
Fighting Style
Moving on. The great UFC fighters are versatile, but regardless of how good a fighter is, he or she is going to have strengths and weaknesses. These show up in the style that the fighter employs.
- • A powerful striker is going to try to keep the fight off the mat and win with punches and kicks.
- • A grappler is going to try to get the fight down to the mat and win by submission.
Bettors should take the time to learn and understand the different styles presented by each fighter and how they play off each other. While a fighter will usually be able to dictate the pace of a fight, one vulnerable weakness against the wrong opponent could send a favorite to a bitter loss and pay off a nice underdog wager.
Where Can I Bet On The UFC?
If you’re serious about UFC betting, you’ll want to check out different sportsbooks to see which ones offer the best odds. In the days before a big event, check out Odds Shark's MMA fight analysis, and our Best UFC Betting Sites page to see which books are more conducive to your betting needs.
