Legal UFC Betting in the USA

Mixed martial arts have come a long way since the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debuted in 1993 in Denver, Colorado. What started as a spectacle billed as “uncensored and unedited” with no gloves or weight classes has evolved into a polished sport complete with professional athletes, mainstream media coverage, and a formal rulebook.

MMA betting is now an inseparable part of the sport to such an extent that even the commentators mention the latest UFC betting lines as they discuss upcoming matches and hype the next fight of the night.

So, with that in mind, BettingUSA presents this guide to betting UFC online. This page begins with a look at where UFC betting is legal, followed by a deep dive into the best UFC betting sites and apps, and continues with explanations of how various MMA bets work, a discussion of the UFC’s relationship with betting, and more.

UFC Betting Sites

21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

States With Legal UFC Betting

Rough-and-tumble origins aside, the UFC is a reasonably tame and well-established sport that is not subject to any special gaming restrictions. Today, UFC betting is available anywhere sports betting as a whole is legal.

Below is a map that BettingUSA regularly updates as additional states introduce and pass sports betting legislation. Readers who live in one of the highlighted states either already have legal sportsbooks for betting on UFC fights nearby or will have them soon.

Map Key

• Blue: Online sportsbooks and UFC betting apps are legal
• Green: Land-based sportsbooks only (no online betting)
• Red: UFC betting coming soon; legislation fully passed but waiting for implementation

For readers in states without legal online sports betting, the next best option is to consider the fantasy UFC contests hosted by DraftKings. In a fantasy sports contest, players pick a stable of fighters slated to fight on an upcoming card and then rack up points as their selections land strikes, takedowns, reversals, advance position on the ground, and finish fights early.

The better a player’s fantasy fighters do on UFC fight night, the more points they accumulate and the higher their ranking in the contest. After the last fight of the night concludes, the contestants with the highest point totals receive real money payouts.

Fantasy UFC is similar in some ways to regular sports betting. It’s not quite the same, but being able to put money on the line and then watch one’s fighters earn points in real-time does provide a similar sense of having some skin in the game.

The amount of money players can win in daily fantasy MMA contests is no laughing matter, either. DraftKings regularly hosts UFC fantasy contests with top prizes exceeding $50,000. Most importantly, DraftKings is legal in most states.

What To Look For In UFC Betting Sites

MMA broke into the mainstream a long time ago, so any quality sportsbook is bound to offer comprehensive coverage of all major UFC events. Minor events and non-UFC organizations are still hit-or-miss, so that’s worth keeping in mind for bettors who like to venture outside the UFC. For the most part, all sportsbooks and betting sites accept MMA wagers.

There is bound to be some amount of opinion involved in ranking the best UFC betting sites. However, there are several objective characteristics by which BettingUSA can rank MMA online sportsbooks without injecting bias into the ranking process.

Those key aspects are:

Best UFC Betting Apps

The US is home to so many online sportsbooks that navigating them can be frustrating. Here is a list of the best UFC betting sites to get you started:

DraftKings UFC Betting

DraftKings Sportsbook offers a near-perfect blend of UFC event coverage and available betting formats. Every match, from the opening undercard of Fight Night to high-profile title matches, is showcased on the app and receives equal coverage.

Fortunately, DraftKings Sportsbook breaks down bet types into digestible and sensible categories and subcategories, while listing popular wagers like totals, moneylines, and “Method of Victory” directly on the homepage. DraftKings is also one of the only US online sportsbooks to offer point spread wagers and a full array of alternative totals on UFC fights.

The DraftKings betting interface divides prop bets into fight and round props, ranging from simple wagers like “In which round will the fight end?”, to wagers on the exact minute the fight will conclude. DraftKings Sportsbook is also not afraid to post moneylines for events that are still several weeks out.

• Average number of props offered: 30
• Betting categories: Fight lines, Winning Method, Fight Parlays, Fight Props, Round Props
• Special bets offered: Point spreads, Same Game Parlays, Moneylines on specific outcomes (finish only, decision only, etc.), Fight Night Pools
• In-play moneyline vig: ~5%

DraftKings’ MMA betting pricing is very reasonable, with the vigorish on moneyline and totals wagers averaging right around 4%, in-play bets taxed at just 5%, and props at about 6 – 7%. DraftKings also supports a breadth of UFC same game parlays and house parlays. The vigorish on these bets is higher, but it’s still lower compared to other sites. Bettors only really need to be wary of multi-option prop bets, where the vigorish can soar as high as 20%, but that’s fairly commonplace for these types of wagers.

Worth noting is that DK also posts lines for other MMA events, and supports MMA on its daily fantasy site, which is partially integrated with the sportsbook. It makes for a complete MMA betting suite.

Lastly, DraftKings enrolls all players in its lucrative and expansive Dynasty Rewards loyalty program, which provides significant kickbacks to active bettors.

If there’s one flaw it’s that the app’s welcome bonus requires customers to roll over their initial deposit 25x. However, the high monetary cap and the fact that the bonus is released incrementally partially offset that drawback.

FanDuel UFC Betting

Rounding out the top two is the industry’s other market share leader, FanDuel Sportsbook.

FanDuel covers as many events as DraftKings and also posts moneylines for UFC fights that are weeks, or even months, away. The moneyline pricing is solid, hovering around 4.5% – 5% for most fights, but bettors will occasionally find a sweet deal where the vigorish is less than 4%.

The tax on totals and yes/no props is slightly higher, right around 5.5% – 6%, but FanDuel offers the lowest vigorish of any sportsbook on multi-option props. It’s just too bad there aren’t more of them.

• Average number of props offered: 20
• Betting categories: Method of Victory, Round Props, Time Props
• Special bets offered: Method and Round Combo, Decision No Bet
• In-play moneyline vig: ~5.5%

The merely “decent” prop menu, lack of same game parlays, and absence of specific UFC promos keep FanDuel from grabbing the top spot, but there’s still a lot to like here. Bettors should include it as part of their rotation if only because of some solid lines and a lucrative sign-up bonus.

BetMGM UFC Betting

BetMGM Sportsbook doesn’t check all the boxes, but it has a number of appealing options for UFC betting fans. Along with FanDuel and DraftKings, it’s available in nearly every market where sports betting is legal.

On top of that, BetMGM offers competitive pricing nearly across the board and often takes its own position on fights, meaning players can sometimes find excellent value. The only weak point is props, as BetMGM simply doesn’t support as many niche bets as its top competitors, and the vigorish on the UFC props it does offer tends toward the higher end.

Bettors can expect to find a basic menu of props that will allow them to wager on when the fight will be won, if a fighter will win by decision or another method, exact fight outcomes, and which round the bout will conclude.

• Average number of props offered: 13
• Betting categories: Round Betting, Method, Other
• Special bets offered: Gone in 60 Seconds, Parlay Specials
• In-play moneyline vig: ~6%

The most interesting prop is “Gone in 60 Seconds” where bettors can wager on either fighter (or both) to take care of business inside one minute. Naturally, this wager often awards substantial payouts, especially when a fight is expected to go deep.

BetMGM tends to offer UFC promos on special events and has integrated its land-based loyalty program, MGM Rewards, into the app.

Caesars Sportsbook UFC Betting

When it comes to UFC betting online, Caesars Sportsbook is a mixed bag, but the highlights exceed the lowlights.

The biggest draw is the moneyline pricing, which is better than even DraftKings’. Expect to find lines like -170/+145 where the VIG is less than 4%. This applies to title fights as well as prelims and other smaller market matches. Yes/No prop pricing is also stellar. For instance, Caesars offers the best pricing, on average, for the popular “Fight to go the Distance” prop.

Unfortunately, other betting formats are subject to much higher taxes, particularly totals and multi-option props like “Method of Victory.”

• Average number of props offered: 10
• Betting categories: Odds Boost, Method of Result, Rounds, Fight End
• Special bets offered: Special odds boosts, Quick Picks
• In-play moneyline vig: ~7%

Also disappointing is the mediocre betting menu. Even for title fights, bettors will be lucky to find the most basic prop bets. What they won’t find at all is same game parlays.

However, Caesars is one of just a few online sportsbooks to spend promotional dollars on UFC. These come by way of special odds boosts that offer inflated odds on preselected parlays, such as “[X] fighters to all win.” Caesars Sportsbook allows bettors to wager up to $100 on its odds boosts, which is a high limit relative to industry standards.

Factor in tie-ins with Caesars Rewards, and there’s enough going for Caesars Sportsbook that UFC bettors should at least give it a look.

BetRivers UFC Betting

BetRivers Sportsbook deserves special mention because it does provide a select few benefits to UFC bettors.

Overall, the lines aren’t great, especially the totals odds. However, BetRivers’ UFC betting promotions, particularly ones tailored toward VIPs, offer significant value. To wit, BetRivers is just about the only online sportsbook to offer UFC-specific promos. Collectively, these offer hundreds of dollars in monthly EV.

BetRivers also offers a sizeable number of props, a stellar rewards program, and wide event coverage. These high points aren’t enough for the app to crack the top five, but if BetRivers improves its lines, it would become an instant contender.

UFC Betting Bonuses and Promotions

When online UFC betting first went mainstream, sportsbooks were throwing money at bettors like it was candy. Those days have passed, but the better UFC online sportsbooks still offer a wide variety of promotions and kickbacks.

Finding UFC betting sites with substantial welcome bonuses is critical because it can help bettors maintain a significant edge over the house for a period of time. Bonuses with small monetary caps and high wagering requirements should be avoided or at least pushed further down the list.

Here are the three most common types of UFC betting bonuses open to new customers and what to consider when deciding which offers to accept.

UFC Betting Deposit Bonuses

Sportsbook deposit bonuses for new customers have long been a staple promotion in online sports betting. Although they aren’t as common today, a handful of safe MMA betting sites still offer first deposit bonuses to new users.

A standard welcome offer gives new customers bonus funds based on the size of their first deposit. Typically, the higher the match rate, the lower the maximum bonus amount.

For example, MMA betting sites with 100% first deposit bonuses might give new customers up to $200 in site credit. In that case, a customer who deposits $50 would receive $50 in bonus funds.

At the other end of the spectrum are UFC betting bonuses like the longstanding DraftKings welcome offer, which offers a 20% bonus worth up to $1,000. In that case, a new customer who deposits $5,000 would receive $1,000 in site credit.

Note: DraftKings sometimes temporarily changes its welcome bonus during high-profile sporting events. However, it inevitably returns its 20% up to $1,000 bonus after the event.

When evaluating first deposit MMA betting bonuses, the match rate, maximum bonus amount, and wagering requirements are the main things to consider. Generally, bettors should look for bonuses featuring high match rates, large maximum bonus amounts, and low wagering requirements.

Second Chance MMA Bets

With deposit bonuses falling out of favor, most MMA betting sites now welcome new customers with second chance bet bonuses. The details vary from one bonus to the next, but all second chance UFC bets share the same fundamentals:

• New customers sign up for accounts and input any necessary promo codes (not always required)
• New users place their first wager on any UFC/MMA market
• If it wins, they collect their winnings as usual, and the promotion ends
• If it loses, they receive a 100% refund, up to a specific maximum amount
• Most MMA betting apps pay refunds as bonus bets
• Bonus bets are usually non-withdrawable, but customers may use their bonus bets to win withdrawable cash

The main things to consider when comparing second chance MMA bets are the minimum qualifying wager sizes, any minimum odds requirement for the qualifying wager, whether the refund is issued as a single-use wager or if bettors can break it up into multiple bets, and any wagering requirements.

The best second chance bet promotions issue refunds as bonus bets that customers can split and use as they wish, which provides more flexibility than single-use wagers.

Additionally, bettors should stick with second chance bet promos that do not enforce any wagering requirements. Ideally, bettors should be able to immediately withdraw any winnings they obtain from wagering their refunded bonus bets, no questions asked.

First UFC Bet Bonuses

New customer first bet bonuses give new users a bonus bet when they register and place a qualifying first wager. There are two ways these types of UFC betting bonuses typically work:

• The sportsbook offers a fixed bonus amount to all new customers who place a qualifying first wager. For example, a sportsbook may give $150 in bonus bets to anyone who registers and places a first wager of $10 or more.
• The sportsbook matches each new customer’s first wager with a bonus bet of equal value. For example, a sportsbook may offer a 100% first bet match bonus worth up to $100. In that case, a new user who registers and places a first wager of $50 will receive a $50 bonus bet.

The main things to look for in first bet bonuses are the match rate (ideally, 100% or higher) and whether customers can immediately withdraw anything they win with their bonus bets.

Recurrent UFC Betting Promotions

High-quality MMA betting sites also offer plenty of recurrent betting promotions, which may take the form of odds boosts on the winner of a UFC match, bet and get promos, enhanced MMA parlay payouts, and insurance.

Some examples of past UFC betting promotions issued by reputable MMA online sportsbooks include the following:

• UFC Odds Boosts: Odds boost promos temporarily increase the odds on specific fighters, giving bettors bigger payouts if the odds-boosted fighter wins. On rare occasions, MMA betting sites issue odds boost tokens that customers can use on any fighter.
• Bet and Get UFC Promos: One simple but valuable type of promotion awards bonus bets to customers who place wagers on upcoming matches. For example, a betting site may give a $10 bonus bet to anyone who places a $20+ wager during the next UFC event. Alternatively, sportsbooks sometimes encourage in-play betting by offering a bonus bet to anyone who places a live wager during the upcoming fight.
• Enhanced MMA Parlays: Online sportsbooks occasionally launch enhanced-payout MMA parlays ahead of highly anticipated championship bouts to encourage bettors to look at other fights on the card. One recent UFC parlay promo gave profit boosts ranging from 20% to 100% depending on the number of legs in the wager.
• UFC Insurance Promotions: Insurance betting promotions offer to refund customers who place wagers on specific UFC events and lose. Typically, sportsbooks pay refunds as non-withdrawable bonus bets.

UFC Betting Loyalty Programs

Another plus when considering MMA betting apps is a loyalty program that provides ongoing rewards to existing customers. Multi-tiered, annual sports betting loyalty programs are usually the best, but simple programs sometimes offer better cashback rates.

Some player rewards programs are integrated between their brands’ online and land-based properties, making them even more attractive. An example of this is MGM Rewards, which allows players to earn points and status at BetMGM Sportsbook and all MGM Resorts casinos.

Some other worthwhile loyalty rewards programs worth considering include DraftKings Dynasty, Caesars Rewards, and iRush Rewards. One advantage these particular rewards programs share is that they don’t require a ton of action before unlocking UFC betting promotions like bonus bets, insurance, and odds boost tokens.

MMA Betting Odds

How To Bet On MMA Online

The majority of online MMA betting handle tends to go on simple wagers predicting who will win the fight, but bettors have plenty of additional options. Other types of mixed martial arts wagers cover a wide range of related markets, like how the fight will end or how long it will last.

Read on for an overview of how to bet on UFC fights online.

In-Play UFC Betting

In-play wagers differ from standard bets by taking place during the fight with live UFC odds that change constantly based on what’s happening inside the Octagon.

In other words, in-play UFC betting allows customers to tune in during a live broadcast, watch the action on TV, and place wagers throughout each fight based on what’s happening in real-time. It creates a highly engaging experience that makes even the weakest UFC cards exciting from the prelims down to the main event.

For the most part, in-play bets mirror those offered before the fight, with the only difference being the ever-changing odds. The most common types of in-fight UFC bets offered include moneyline wagers on who will win, how long the fight will last, and the method of victory.

Aside from pure entertainment value, in-play UFC betting opens the door to additional levels of strategy not provided by pre-event bets because bettors have more information to work with as each fight unfolds.

The oddsmakers also have access to this same information and adjust the UFC odds accordingly, but operators also have to account for public sentiment. The public can often get caught up in the moment to push the odds in favor of the savvy bettor.

As an example of how intelligent bettors can use public sentiment to their advantage, imagine a heavy favorite who tends to start slow and then turn up the pace as the fight goes on due to great cardio and a smart game plan.

If the favorite gets off to a slow start, it is not uncommon for public money to rush to the underdog. That would be an ideal time for the intelligent bettor to get money in on the favorite at improved odds.

Bettors can also use in-play MMA betting to hedge their bets when things really do start to go wrong for their selections. If the bettor has money on a fighter who seems to be having a genuinely poor performance, it’s an easy thing to offload some of the risk by putting a little money on the opponent.

The main thing bettors should be on the lookout for is getting swept up in the moment during an exciting card and placing UFC bets just for fun. The sheer number of markets available during any single event combined with the natural ebb and flow of a fight makes it deceptively easy to risk more money than one planned.

Notable MMA Events

Notable UFC contests almost always take place on Saturday nights. There are two primary event types:

• Fight Nights: These consist of multiple preliminary matches followed by one or two main events. The prelim fighters are usually either up-and-comers, war-torn veterans, or fringe contenders. Even the Main Event doesn’t always feature the UFC’s biggest names, but fans of the sport will still know who they are. Fight Nights are televised on local TV networks and run quite frequently, making them more accessible to the masses.
• “Numbered” UFC: Every month or so, the UFC hosts a numbered event. These represent a definitive quality jump from Fight Nights, as the fighters are of better stock, there are more titles fights, and the events are televised on PPV.

While the UFC is by far the biggest name in MMA, the Bellator is still notable. Bellator doesn’t have the same big-ticket names as the UFC, but it does support the second-largest MMA roster and has hosted hundreds of events since its inception in 2008. Bellator also has attractive tournament-style events that generate a lot of buzz and drama.

UFC Betting Tips and Strategy

At its core, UFC is a brutal sport that to casual fans may just seem like two people trying to seriously injure one another. Yet its barbaric nature sometimes belies its nuances. There are numerous rules that fighters must abide by, tons of strategic elements at play, and a wealth of influencing factors.

Let’s start with some simple UFC betting strategies designed to trim the house edge:

• Know the rules: Before betting on any sport, bettors should know the basic rules. For the UFC, this includes knowing why some matches are three rounds long and others are five, the strikes that result in a point deduction or disqualification, the ways that a fighter can win (or lose), and how the judges scoring system works. There are also betting-specific nuances to be aware of, like how KOs, TKOs, and DQs are lumped into one betting category, while submissions stand alone. Also, bettors should realize that totals are calculated by their actual time. For instance, an Over/Under 2.5 rounds wager is literally graded at the midpoint of the third round (2:30).
• Line shopping: Bookmakers don’t like to admit it, but they’re pretty awful at predicting UFC fight outcomes. This is due to a variety of factors, but to beginning bettors, the important lesson here is that UFC betting lines will vary more from book to book than say, an NFL line. Take advantage of this by downloading multiple sports betting apps, and have them at least minimally funded so you’re ready to pounce when favorable odds are posted. Also, be on the lookout for books that are willing to post early lines. This is usually the best time to generate closing line value.
• Be wary of parlays: The UFC is a playground for parlay bettors. The matches all take place on Saturdays, so action junkies don’t have to wait too long for an outcome. Matches are quick, there are plenty of outlandish props offered, and bettors are usually feeling less risk-averse on Saturday nights for…reasons. There’s also a propensity to chase, and what better sport to chase than UFC, where the matches are only spaced 30-45 minutes apart? Avoid these tendencies, as most often you’ll just be a darts player with blurry vision. Parlays do have their place, and there are instances when they can be profitable, but for each leg added, the house edge that needs to be overcome rises.
• Know when to prop bet: If UFC moneylines are already subject to high degrees of uncertainty, then imagine how much uncertainty there is on who will win a specific round, or whether a fighter will win by KO during the third minute of the fourth round. The fact is that books simply cannot price most props accurately. Then again, neither can you — but by honing in on specific fights, studying tapes, looking at styles, and keeping up with training camps, you might be able to outsmart the book. Of course, these angles don’t mean much if the sportsbook levies an enormous tax on props, which they often do for multi-option props. However, some books price their Yes/No props at only 5-6%. With enough diligence, that can be overcome.
• Take advantage of odds boosts and other promos: This one should be obvious but is often overlooked. Promotions and odds boosts present valuable opportunities to flip the house’s edge on its head. It’s important that you learn to calculate the value of a promotion or boost, as their quality varies wildly. Read the fine print, and if there aren’t too many damaging caveats, claim the promotion.

It’s been mentioned that UFC is a more uncertain market than most. There are several reasons for that:

• It’s a popular market, but still small relative to others.
• It’s an individual sport. In team sports, if one player goes down, the line changes but doesn’t completely flip. If a UFC fighter has a bad camp, is nursing an injury, or announces his retirement the day before the fight, the impact on their performance can be monumental.
• There aren’t enough data points. UFC fighters throw hands a few times a year, at most. There just isn’t enough data for bookmakers to craft efficient lines.
• Style matters. Even if there were enough data points to paint a strong picture, UFC matches are often a game of rock-paper-scissors where a fighter’s style may cause them to dominate the match, despite being less skilled than their opponent. Past results really don’t matter as much as they do in other sports.

Again, bettors will be subject to the same levels of uncertainty, but at least it opens up opportunities to find edges. For instance, a book might offer Over 4.5 rounds at -200, and also a “Go the distance” prop at -195. Surely, it’s worth giving up a tiny portion of your potential payout for an extra 2.5 minutes of leeway.

Likewise, if the same Over 4.5 rounds bet was priced at -250, then it’s obvious to take the “Go the distance” wager.

In the hunt for edges, start by comparing alternative lines and props to the main lines and see if there’s hidden value. Branch out from there to other props and eventually in-play wagers. Books make mistakes, especially in sports like UFC.

The UFC’s Relationship With Sports Wagering

As a combat sport, MMA lends itself nicely to sports betting, just like boxing does. Before legal sports betting even seemed like a realistic possibility, UFC broadcasters and websites would often refer to fighters as underdogs or favorites and discuss the latest Vegas line on each athlete.

Unlike the other major sports leagues, the UFC was relatively quiet on the sports betting issue during the run-up to the Supreme Court decision overturning PASPA. The UFC also broke ranks by not issuing a formal statement after the decision. Instead, it was business as usual for the UFC the very next day.

The American Gaming Association has commissioned numerous studies predicting the financial impact of sports betting on the major sports leagues, but it has not conducted similar research on the UFC. As exciting as MMA is for fans, it simply is not a significant player in the grand scheme of things and likely has little sway on policy or the direction taken by lawmakers planning to legalize wagering in their states.

However, the UFC benefits from legal sports betting indirectly due to increased viewership and directly via deals with gaming operators who want access to data and advertising space. The UFC may not be as big as the other major North American leagues, but it still has millions of fans worldwide.

Every study conducted by the AGA looking at the impact of sports betting on other leagues has found that people who bet on sports tend to watch those sports more and consume more sports-related media.

Increased viewership results in bigger advertising numbers and income for the leagues. The UFC trails far behind the likes of the NFL and NBA in terms of viewership, but it stands to reason UFC viewership will benefit from the spread of legal sports betting.

Sponsorship deals between the UFC and gaming companies also benefit the organization with direct infusions of cash. The UFC tends to play its cards close to the vest when it comes to financial matters, so it is difficult to estimate exactly how much benefit these types of deals benefit the league.

One of the first big moves the UFC made to capitalize on legal sports betting came in October 2019 when the organization announced a partnership with IMG Arena to create a live betting product called UFC Event Center.

Together, the UFC and IMG Arena pull official data from the UFC, provide in-play betting markets and logo, and package it all into the UFC Event Center. Sports betting operators can incorporate the package into their own platforms to offer customers a full menu of high-quality UFC betting options.

The UFC struck its first major US-centric sports betting partnership in March 2021, selecting DraftKings as its official sportsbook and daily fantasy partner. According to Dana White, the five-year deal is worth $350 million and is the most important partnership the UFC has formed to date.

Interestingly, not all of UFC’s sports betting partnerships are self-serving. In April 2021, the UFC partnered with the American Gaming Association to promote responsible gambling as a part of the AGA’s Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly campaign. The UFC has also partnered with the likes of sports betting companies Neds in Australia and Parimatch in Europe to serve bettors in other markets.

In general, the UFC has long had a friendlier relationship with sports betting than most sports leagues. However, the cozy relationship has burned the UFC in the past. The most prominent example involves a betting scandal in late 2022 when multiple sports integrity organizations and journalists noticed significant line movements in the hours preceding a bout between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. The fight ended with a suspicious first round TKO and prompted several investigations.

The scandal caused massive headaches for the UFC and risked tarnishing its reputation. For instance, The Guardian ran a piece describing the scandal as a “self-inflicted wound,” and regulators in multiple jurisdictions stopped sportsbooks from taking wagers on all UFC fights while the resulting investigations ran their courses.

UFC Betting FAQ