How to Bet on the UFC: Key Factors to Consider Before You Place Your First Wager

Mixed martial arts can be a particularly volatile sport. One moment a fighter can be dominating, the next, they might be seeing an opponent’s hand raised. That same volatility also extends to betting markets for the sport, where bettors can see a return slip away with one punch.

Sports betting and MMA, especially the UFC, have been interlinked since the sport began and have become increasingly popular as promotions have grown. The potential for fights to flip in an instant means that there’s no exact science behind betting on combat sports. However, new bettors who might be attending their first cards and placing a wager can take a few things into account before doing so.

Consider which platform is right for you

Before consulting markets or looking at the odds, finding where to place your bet is just as important. Most sportsbooks will differ in the markets they offer, which might mean one suits a less experienced bettor more than someone who’s placed wagers on multiple UFC events.

For example, with UFC 336 heading to Toronto on January 30, 2027, and Joshua Van defending the flyweight title against Manel Kape, several bettors might be choosing a sportsbook in the region for the first time. A sports betting in Canada guide can show which sportsbooks are available in Ontario and how they suit new, occasional and experienced bettors, before any markets are considered.

Look beyond the moneyline

The UFC tends to display moneyline odds, or the odds of either fighter winning, before most contests. New bettors might be tempted to simply focus on the result as it’s the simplest to understand, but there is a wide range of markets that can be worth exploring for more competitive prices.

Instead of just looking at the odds prior to the fight, many fans are engaging with in-play betting. This allows them to see how a fight unfolds before committing to a winner, with odds shifting throughout the contest.

Alternatively, some bettors choose to focus on whether the total number of rounds will exceed or fall under a particular line. Some pay more attention to prop bets, such as picking a fighter to win and their method of victory, which allows them to lean on a fighter’s style and record, particularly if they’ve consistently won fights by submission or knockout.

Research fighters, don’t just look at the ranking

Typically, a higher-ranked fighter will enter contests as the favorite. But delving into the details can also highlight particular factors that might influence proceedings.

For example, if an underdog is a wrestler or a submission specialist, how good has their opponent’s takedown defense been in recent contests? In the case of a fight like Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333, the champion was able to stuff all of his opponent’s takedowns from rounds three through five and keep the fight off the mat, allowing him to lean on his striking. However, another fighter might not be as effective at keeping a contest standing, with the subsequent style mismatch then influencing who holds an advantage.

Additionally, consider recent form, how frequently someone has fought, the caliber of opponents, physical advantages, and how much damage they have absorbed – a durable chin can be a sign of toughness, but several wars might eventually take their toll. The media might also have reported issues in the buildup to the fight, such as a difficult weight cut. The more research bettors do, the more they’ll understand about each contest.