Best UFC & MMA Betting Sites for 2024 | Sporting News

Best UFC & MMA Betting Sites for 2024 | Sporting News

October 30, 2024

As online sports betting expands in the US, the top sportsbooks, including BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, BetRivers, DraftKings, and Bet365, consistently add betting markets for growing sports, such as MMA.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) stands unrivaled as the premier MMA organization in the world with the most renowned fighters and biggest pay-per-views. These are the best UFC betting sites to get in on the action online.

Top sportsbooks for UFC betting

We’ve reviewed the top UFC sportsbooks below. Once you have pinpointed your preferred sportsbook, use our dedicated links to register. Doing so will unlock our exclusive promotions and bonus offers, enhancing your betting experience immediately.

Caesars Sportsbook

The illustrious legacy of Caesars is intertwined with prizefighting, dating back to the golden age of boxing. But as combat sports have evolved, so has Caesars, eagerly embracing the dynamic world of MMA, particularly the UFC. Caesars Sportsbook‘s commitment to the sport is evident in its offerings, which stand out for several reasons:

  • Competitive odds: One of the defining features of Caesars’ UFC offerings is its odds. Whether it’s a high-stakes championship bout or an up-and-coming fighter’s debut, bettors can expect attractive potential returns on their wagers. This commitment to value has solidified Caesars as a favorite in the UFC betting community.
  • Live betting options: Real-time betting offers an unmatched thrill in a sport where anything can happen in the blink of an eye. At Caesars, you can dynamically wager on unfolding events.
  • Integrated live streaming: The seamless integration into Caesars online sportsbook ensures that UFC fans can bet on and enjoy the fight simultaneously under one digital roof. 

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM has established itself as a frontrunner for UFC betting in the heart of Las Vegas. Its intrinsic connection to MGM Resorts provides a distinctive edge, as the resort giant has considerable affiliations with the MMA world.

This relationship not only enhances the credibility of BetMGM in the UFC betting realm but also ensures that bettors are presented with enticing promotions during UFC fights.

When it comes to the user experience, BetMGM goes above and beyond. Here are some features that make it stand out:

  • Live betting: Bet in real-time as the action unfolds in the octagon. Whether you’re predicting the next takedown or who lands the knockout punch, live betting adds a layer of adrenaline to your UFC viewing experience.
  • Live streaming: The BetMGM platform integrates seamlessly with UFC broadcasts. This means you can not only place your bets but also tune into the live action without the hassle of switching between apps or sites. Imagine watching a title fight between and simultaneously placing a live bet on the round they might finish in, all from the same platform. Such integrative features make BetMGM an enticing destination for UFC betting.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Stepping into the realm of UFC betting, FanDuel presents customers with an impressive assortment of wagering options. However, it’s worth noting that FanDuel’s platform does not offer integrated live streaming for UFC fights. The features that make FanDuel stand out in the UFC betting sphere:

  • Diverse betting markets: FanDuel ensures that fans aren’t limited in betting choices. Here’s a snapshot of the UFC betting markets at FanDuel:
    • Fight Winner: Simple – who will emerge victorious?
    • Method of Victory: Will it be a knockout, submission, or decision?
    • Round Betting: Predict the specific round in which the fight will conclude.
    • Over/Under Rounds: Wager on whether the fight will last more or fewer rounds than a specified number.
  • Live betting: The ever-changing nature of MMA fights offers the thrill of unpredictability. FanDuel’s live betting feature allows you to place bets as the action unfolds.
  • User-friendly interface: Whether accessing FanDuel through its dedicated app or website, you’re greeted with an intuitive interface that makes placing bets a breeze.

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DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook is the UFC’s official sportsbook partner and consistently offers a wider variety of UFC betting options and betting information than its competitors. UFC fight odds almost always land here first. UFC live betting on DraftKings goes beyond moneylines, over/unders, and props, making the DraftKings Sportsbook a must-have fight-watching companion. Some of DraftKings’ best UFC features: 

  • Diverse betting options: The latest UFC odds at DraftKings are listed under fight lines, winning method, fight parlays, fight props and round props tabs. That gives you a ton of betting options. Even the fight lines are more diverse than most, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing finish only, decision only, 1st round only, submission only, and KO/TKO/DQ only moneylines.
  • Live betting: DraftKings does UFC live betting better than the competition, giving you more options with competitive odds and a real chance to make up for any pre-fight betting mistakes.
  • UFC betting news: DraftKings provides a little UFC betting guidance with a UFC Betting News section, featuring links to odds, best bets, picks, and predictions articles, alongside UFC expert parlay picks for the latest events.

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers has a dedicated UFC tab in the main menu that’ll take you to a place with some unique UFC betting options. You can choose between Fights and Futures. Fights features a list of moneyline markets for the latest UFC events and a clickable stats icon on each fight, revealing all kinds of fight information, including fighter bios, key stats, betting trends, and more. Futures is unique in that it offers betting on who you think will hold the belt in each division at the end of the calendar year. Standout UFC features at BetRivers: 

  • UFC futures: BetRivers does UFC futures betting by offering markets divided by weight class where you can bet on the fighters you think will be champion on Dec. 31.
  • UFC stats: The clickable stats icon on each UFC fight listed at BetRivers includes full fight info, fighter bios, betting trends, key stats, and more.
  • Competitive moneyline odds: BetRivers posts UFC moneyline odds for every UFC fight. The odds are consistently competitive, making BetRivers a great place to shop UFC lines.

Bet365 Sportsbook

At first glance, Bet365 may not give the UFC the front-page play the NFL, NBA, and MLB get on the platform, but a closer look reveals a rich MMA betting section with more than moneyline odds. Under the MMA tab in the main menu, you’ll find a list of betting markets and Bet Boosts that always include the latest UFC Fight Night and UFC pay-per-view events. Click on an upcoming fight, and UFC stats load up alongside standard moneyline odds. Bet365’s UFC highlights:

  • Competitive moneyline odds: There’s not much more to the UFC odds on Bet365 than fight moneylines and UFC moneyline parlays. However, you can count on competitive odds in these standard betting markets, making Bet365 a solid destination for those who like to pick fight winners almost exclusively.
  • Bet Boosts: Bet365 runs Bet Boosts promos surrounding every UFC fight card. You’ll often find Boosted 3 Leg UFC Parlays with a +50 or more odds boost.
  • UFC stats: Click on an upcoming UFC fight on Bet365, and UFC stats load up with the tale of the tape and matchup info, including the latest form, significant strikes, and grappling stats for each fighter.

UFC live betting

Gone are the days when bets had to be placed strictly before a sporting event. With the advent of live betting, you can place bets as the action unfolds in the octagon.

Whether you’re on your couch at home, engrossed in the fight at a local sports bar, studying in a library, or virtually anywhere else, live UFC betting is at your fingertips with MMA betting sites.

The only caveat is that you must be within the geographical boundaries of a state where online sports betting is legal.

Live betting is ever-evolving. The odds fluctuate in real-time, influenced by the ongoing fight dynamics and incoming bets. Leveraging a betting app can be a game-changer, providing instantaneous updates on odds and ensuring you never miss a beat.

How do UFC odds work? 

Whether you prefer straightforward outcomes or the intricacies of prop betting, UFC ensures a multitude of exciting betting avenues. Here, are some of the most prominent UFC and MMA bet types available at your preferred UFC betting sites:

UFC moneyline betting

This bet is straightforward and is a perfect introduction for those new to sports betting. The premise is uncomplicated: wager on the fighter you predict will emerge victorious. If your chosen fighter wins, your payout depends on the odds you secured when placing your bet.

Understanding UFC odds is crucial for informed betting. If a fighter’s odds display a positive number, it indicates they’re perceived as the underdog. Conversely, negative odds designate the favorite.

Consider the following odds:

  • Jiri Prochazka -195
  • Glover Teixeira +165

Teixeira, with the positive figure, is the underdog from these odds. Prochazka, with the negative figure, is favored to win. These numbers (listed in the American odds format) suggest your payday, easily calculable around $100 bets. 

Using Prochazka’s -195 as an example, a $195 bet could yield a $100 profit. On the other hand, positive odds denote the potential profit from a $100 bet. With Teixeira’s +165 odds, a $100 wager could lead to a $165 profit. (You get your bet back if you win, too.)

UFC round betting

If predicting the winning fighter seems challenging, another betting angle focuses on the fight’s duration. This is akin to totals betting in other sports. Here, oddsmakers set a number representing the estimated rounds the fight might last. Your task? Predict whether the fight will span more or fewer rounds than the projected number.

Let’s understand this with a potential UFC round betting example:

The “O” stands for “Over,” suggesting the fight will last more than 1.5 rounds. The “U” represents “Under,” implying the fight will conclude in less than 1.5 rounds.

The accompanying numbers are the odds. As previously explained, negative odds indicate the amount you’d need to wager to earn a $100 profit.

So, for the “Over” option at -120, you’d need to bet $120 to earn a profit of $100. Conversely, for the “Under” option at -110, a $110 bet could lead to a $100 profit.

Method of victory

This betting option introduces strategy and excitement to the UFC betting experience. While predicting the outcome may be slightly more challenging, the potential rewards can be significantly higher if you’re on the mark.

With this bet, you’re predicting the winner and how they’ll clinch their victory.

Generally, there are three primary victory methods (with the occasional draw possibility):

  1. Win by KO/TKO: This refers to a knockout or technical knockout. It occurs when one fighter delivers a strike or a series of strikes that prevent their opponent from continuing, leading the referee to halt the contest.
  2. Win by Submission: MMA fighters possess many submission techniques. A fight is concluded by submission when one fighter either verbally concedes or signals their surrender by tapping out, prompting the referee to end the bout.
  3. Win by Decision: If neither fighter achieves a KO/TKO or submission victory, the judge’s decision determines the match’s outcome. This can be a unanimous decision—with all judges in agreement—or a split decision, where two judges favor one fighter and the third opts for the other.

The odds for each method of victory are typically presented in a manner resembling moneyline bets. Here’s a sample of what you might come across:

  • KO/TKO +275
  • Submission +300
  • Decision +110
  • Draw +4500

It’s worthwhile to monitor UFC betting sites for special sports betting bonuses & promotions, especially as big UFC events approach. Many platforms often offer enhanced odds or bonuses for method of victory bets, adding another dimension to your betting experience.

UFC Vegas odds vs. online sportsbook odds

Once upon a time, the mention of sports betting immediately conjured up images of the glitzy, neon-lit streets of Las Vegas. However, as the saying goes, “times change.” 

With the gradual legalization of sports betting throughout the US, the significance of Vegas as a hub for sportsbooks and oddsmakers has diminished.

Many of the best sports betting apps, including giants like DraftKings and FanDuel, employ teams of seasoned oddsmakers, counted among the industry’s best. This shift means that while Vegas odds remain a reputable benchmark, they no longer monopolize UFC lines.

The UFC betting sites accessible in states where betting is legal often present odds that rival and sometimes even surpass those found in Vegas.

While there’s no harm in using Vegas odds as a comparative tool or to spot potential undervalued bets, it’s essential to understand that the contemporary sports betting landscape offers diverse options.

Odds from the best sports betting sites will, more often than not, be in the same ballpark as those in Nevada, ensuring you get competitive value for your wagers.

Why do UFC odds move?

Knowledge is power (and potential profit) in sports betting. This connection between information and betting odds is precisely why oddsmakers dedicate countless hours to dissecting every piece of relevant information, ensuring the odds they provide are as accurate and competitive as possible.

However, the nature of sports and the variables surrounding them mean that conditions can change, even after betting lines have been solidified. Various factors can influence those initial lines, especially for UFC betting sites that offer early odds (sometimes weeks ahead of the actual event).

These factors can include breaking news, injuries to key participants, or significant betting activity from the public.

One prime example is public betting behavior. If many bettors rally behind a particular fighter, the odds of that fighter winning will likely decrease. This phenomenon is driven by the sportsbook’s desire to balance its books and remain profitable regardless of the fight’s outcome.

Given these potential shifts, savvy bettors often monitor odds as soon as they’re released. By doing so, they can lock in bets before significant changes occur, potentially securing more favorable odds and enhancing their profit potential. 

Sportsbook rules for UFC betting

All MMA betting sites have policies delineating what qualifies as a valid bet or what circumstances might lead to a bet being nullified.

To acquaint yourself with these rules, read the terms and conditions during account registration. However, for a more streamlined search, you can simply look up “house rules” followed by the name of your sportsbook to access the specific guidelines relevant to your platform.

For UFC betting, many sportsbooks share a set of standard rules, some of which include:

  • Draws and No Contest: In the event of a draw or if a fight is labeled as a “no contest,” bets placed on that particular bout are typically declared void, and the wagered amount is returned to the bettors.
  • Postponements: If a UFC event’s scheduled date is pushed back or otherwise altered, some sportsbooks may opt to cancel all related bets. It’s essential to note that policies may differ; some platforms might honor the bet if the event occurs within a specific window from the original date.
  • Disqualifications: Should a fighter be disqualified during a match, most sportsbooks will nullify and return bets associated with that specific fight.

It’s always a wise practice for bettors to familiarize themselves with these rules and other sportsbook-specific nuances. You don’t want any surprises or disappointments. 

Betting on other MMA brands

The UFC reigns supreme in mixed martial arts (and combat sports in general). But there are other notable MMA organizations making waves. Brands such as Bellator and PFL have carved their niches and frequently host events in the US, adding depth to the MMA scene.

Although not all MMA sportsbooks offer betting lines for these organizations, some platforms recognize their growing significance.

For instance, DraftKings, always keen to diversify its offerings, provides betting lines for top-tier MMA events and feeder leagues like the Contender Series.

This series serves as a proving ground for emerging talents eager to clinch a spot in UFC events, making it an intriguing bet for those well-versed in the MMA talent pipeline.

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