UFC and MMA
UFC and MMA betting: markets and odds
UFC betting starts with the moneyline on who wins, then splits the fight into how and when it ends: method of victory, round betting, total rounds and whether it goes the distance. Here is how each market works and how sportsbooks settle the unusual endings, with a calculator for method of victory prices.
UFC and MMA betting calculators
All betting calculators- UFC method of victory calculatorFair KO, submission and decision odds, and the chance the fight goes the distance.
- No vig calculatorStrip the bookmaker's margin from a 2-way or 3-way market to get fair odds.
- Parlay calculatorCombine 2 to 15 legs: parlay odds, payout and the chance every leg wins.
- Betting payout calculatorProfit, total payout and implied probability for any stake and price.
UFC and MMA betting markets and how they settle
| Market | What you bet on | How it settles |
|---|---|---|
| MoneylineNo vig calculator | Which fighter wins. | Many sportsbooks refund moneyline bets on a draw or no contest unless a draw was offered as its own outcome. |
| Method of victoryUFC method of victory calculator | How a fighter wins: KO/TKO, submission or decision. | Disqualifications and technical decisions are grouped by the sportsbook's rules. |
| Round betting | A fighter to win in a specific round. | Long prices; the round is the one in which the fight is stopped. |
| Total rounds | Over or under a number of rounds, such as 2.5. | Over 2.5 is reached halfway through the third round (2 minutes 30 seconds into it), not at its start. |
| Goes the distanceUFC method of victory calculator | Whether the fight reaches the judges' scorecards. | Yes wins on any decision; No wins on any stoppage. |
| Fight props | Knockdowns, takedowns, significant strikes and similar. | Settled on the official statistics named in the market rules. |
Settlement rules are the usual ones in US sportsbooks. Each sportsbook publishes its own rules, and those decide your bet.
Competitions people bet on
- UFC numbered events: Pay per view cards, usually with one or more title fights.
- UFC Fight Nights: Regular non pay per view cards, each with a five round main event.
- PFL: Professional Fighters League, which runs a season and tournament format and acquired Bellator in 2023.
Terms to know
- KO/TKO
- Knockout or technical knockout, including referee and doctor stoppages.
- Submission
- A fighter taps out or is rendered unable to continue by a hold.
- Decision
- Unanimous, split or majority, from the judges' scorecards.
- No contest
- A fight with no result, for example after an accidental foul; bets are usually void.
- Main event
- The last fight on a card, scheduled for five rounds in the UFC.
- Five minute rounds
- Every UFC round lasts five minutes.
Common questions
How many rounds is a UFC fight?
Most UFC fights are scheduled for three five minute rounds. Title fights and main events are scheduled for five rounds.
What happens to my bet if the fight is a draw?
Many sportsbooks refund moneyline bets on a draw when no draw price was offered. Method of victory and round markets follow their own rules. Check the sportsbook's rules for the fight.
When does over 2.5 rounds win?
When the fight lasts beyond 2 minutes 30 seconds of the third round. A stoppage early in round 3 is still under 2.5.
Is UFC betting legal in the US?
Sports betting is legal in many US states but not all, and each state decides which events and markets are allowed. Check the rules where you are before you bet.
Betting involves risk. Calculators show what prices imply, not what will happen. Set a budget before you start, never chase losses, and if betting stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for free, confidential help.