The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the greatest fighting league in the world. It’s available on pay-per-view in over 100 countries and has televised events in over 20 different languages. While the average person won’t understand a word of what’s being said in the octagon (the ring where the fights take place), they will feel the excitement and passion that comes with every single match.
What is UFC fighting, how does it work, and how do I bet on it? Let’s dive in.
What is UFC Fighting?
UFC fighting is a mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament where two athletes fight in a cage or octagon for 3 rounds. The winner is determined by either knocking out their opponent or causing them to submit (give up their posture) in the last 45 seconds of the bout. The goal is to score more points than your opponent.
UFC fights are known for their high intensity and action shots, along with incredibly athletic competitors. It’s the ultimate test of skill and strength, and that’s what makes it so exciting to bet on.
MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a combination of several combat sports including boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling. It’s a mix of Thai kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but the approach, mindset, and technique are all different.
Walking into the octagon is intimidating even for the most seasoned professional. But once the bell rings and the gloves come off, it’s all business as the fighters pull out all the stops to get the job done.
How Do I Bet On UFC Fights?
There are numerous ways to bet on UFC fights, and online sportsbooks like Full Betting, an MGM affiliate, provide numerous betting options that can be tailored to suit the user’s needs. The odds and prop bets offered on UFC fights are some of the best in all of online sports betting. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that UFC betting is among the most popular and most reliable sports wagering activities.
Which UFC Fights Should I Bet On?
It’s important to have a good idea of which UFC fights are worth betting on and which ones you should avoid. Knowing the odds and prop bets associated with each match is a great way to make informed decisions when placing bets. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most interesting matchups to bet on or avoid this season:
Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier
There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Jon Jones, but you’ve definitely heard of his rival, Daniel Cormier. Jones is the light heavyweight champion of the world, and he’ll be looking to extend his champion’s belt when he squares off against Cormier in the main event of UFC 230. It’s also the last UFC fight card of the year, and fans are going to be looking to see if Jones can pull off one last miracle in order to become the first person to successfully defend his title more than once. While this fight is certainly worth betting on, it’s not one you’d want to avoid. Jones is known for his trouble with drugs and addiction, and he’s been in several fights inside the octagon that were either drug-related or highly intoxicated (read: smashed out on drugs). Going into his last fight of the year, he was definitely in the middle of a drug trip and it showed. The 42 year old light heavyweight champion was unable to move around the cage and barely able to stand during most of the fight. He also had a lot of trouble keeping his fists up, as he constantly dropped them while trying to catch his breath. You wouldn’t want to bet against the champ even when he’s on his best behavior, and that’s exactly what you’re doing if you bet against him in this fight.
Frankie Edgar vs. Jeremy McFayden
The TUF 21 Finale was one of the best fights of the year, and it featured a lightweight bout between Jeremy McFayden and Frankie Edgar. The 135lb weight limit for lightweight bouts means that both men were at an advantage compared to most other fights of their weight class, as it allowed them to be more flexible in the cage. That, in turn, made the action more exciting. Edgar looked dominant in every way, especially considering that this was his first professional bout. He outstruck, outgrappled, and outlanded his opponent, Jeremy, by a wide margin. He also took home the TUF 21 trophy, securing his spot among the greatest lightweights of all time. This is a fight that you’d want to bet on, particularly since the line opened up after the weigh-in. McFayden, at 41 years old, has been around the block a few times and he’s always brought his A-game, whether it’s been against stronger or more experienced opponents. This will be his first shot at the 135lb title, and he’s in the championship position. Edgar is also looking to make it three straight wins after defeating Rafael Dos Anjos in December and Nate Diaz in July. With the way he’s been performing, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Edgar finally snap his three-fight losing streak against McFayden. The lines moved in favor of Edgar after his win against Rafael Dos Anjos earlier this year, so it wouldn’t be a wise move to bet against him either. Save your energy for the big fights, kids.
Diego Nunes vs. Justin Gaertner
Diego Nunes, the Featherweight Champion, will be defending his belt this month against Justin Gaertner, a lightweight fighter with a big following, especially among the online community. UFC 224 will be taking place on February 22nd in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and fans can’t wait to see Nunes defend his title for the first time. With both fighters being from Brazil, there’s already been a lot of trash talking between the two before the fight even takes place. It’ll be interesting to see how this match goes. Nunes has always been known for his high-flying acrobatics inside the octagon, and he’s definitely not one to back down from a fight. Gaertner is a bit of a wildcard, as he’s never been put in a situation where he’s had to defend his title. He does, however, have a no-contest clause in his contract, which means he can’t lose, and the UFC can’t strip him of the belt if he wins. This could make for an interesting dynamic between the champ and the challenger. Fans can’t wait to see who emerges victorious!
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Alistair Overeem
The biggest fight on the card has to be between Alexander Volkanovski, the light heavyweight champion, and Alistair Overeem, the current heavyweight champion, for the chance to challenge for the title. This is one of the most highly-anticipated fights of the year. It’s been a while since Volkanovski last fought, as he hasn’t competed in a regular sport since 2012, when he was still a teenager. Since then, he’s focused on academics and becoming a better person. He also stayed out of trouble, getting married, and becoming a father. He’s now 29 years old and fully dedicated to MMA. For fans of established MMA fighters, watching Volkanovski and Overeem go at it is like watching old-school heavyweight competition from the 80s and 90s all over again. This could very well be the fight of the year!
Overeem is the Heavyweight Champion and defending that title against Volkanovski will be one for the record books. It won’t be easy for Volkanovski, who hasn’t faced a real heavyweight opponent, but he’s not one to back down from a fight. This is one you can bet on with confidence.
Final Takeaway
It’s always exciting to bet on sports, but especially when there are a lot of variables that can change the outcome. That makes it even more interesting to try and figure out who will win a fight and, more importantly, what are the odds of said winner? The fact that there are a lot of variables makes it interesting, but it can also make it a lot of fun. Knowing the odds behind each fight, especially when there’s a clear favorite, can be a great way to make informed decisions when placing bets. Hopefully, this article will help you better understand how to make the most of your UFC betting experience.