With a year-round schedule, UFC betting has become a staple sport at online sportsbooks. There are a variety of UFC betting strategies, as well as bet types that are unique to the sport. Now is a great time to look at the ins and outs of betting on one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide.
UFC betting and trading for all 50 states
It does not matter what state you are in if you want action on UFC fights. If you are in a state with legalized sports betting, sportsbook apps are available. If you are not, federally-regulated prediction markets are available, allowing you to trade on the outcomes of UFC bouts. That includes the available Kalshi promo code and Polymarket promo code below.
Where can you bet on UFC or trade at prediction markets?
Top UFC Betting / Trading Platforms | Available States | Bonus Offer | Promo Code |
DraftKings Sportsbook | AK, AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY, Washington, D.C. | Spend $5+, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | |
Kalshi | All 50 states (certain markets may not be available in all jurisdictions) | Trade $25+, receive $25 in bonus trading credits | |
Polymarket | All 50 states (Some markets may not be available on the Polymarket U.S. app.) | Deposit $10, Get a $20 Trading Bonus |
Info last verified August 16, 2026
Best UFC betting apps for UFC betting (August 2026)
If you are in a state that allows sports betting, the first thing you'll need to do on your UFC betting journey is decide which sports betting apps you want to use. A good way to do this is to look at the best UFC betting sites and identify which welcome offers appeal to you.
| Sportsbook | Bonus offer | Promo code |
|---|---|---|
FanDuel | Bet $5, Get up to $1,000 in Bet Reset Tokens | |
DraftKings | Spend $5+, Get $150 in bonus bets | |
BetMGM | Up to $1,500 in bonus bets back if your first bet loses | |
Fanatics | 10x$100 Bet Match in FanCash | |
| Caesars | Bet $1, double your winnings on your next 10 wagers | CBSDYW |
Each sportsbook promo comes with its unique benefits, and each offers something valuable, so it is worth claiming multiple or all of them.
Many people use multiple sportsbooks to bet on UFC. Using multiple sportsbooks not only allows you to take advantage of multiple welcome offers, but it also allows you to search for differences in odds for upcoming fights to find the best lines available. For example, UFC fighter Anthony Smith was listed as a +365 underdog on Fanatics Sportsbook for a past fight, while BetMGM had him listed at +400.
Upcoming UFC Fight Night Main Card Fights
Anthony Hernandez v Gregory Rodrigues (Main Event)
This is a rematch of sorts between two former LFA Middleweight Champions, with Hernandez (15-3) taking on Rodrigues (19-6) in a fight that will shake up the top of the 185-pound rankings. Hernandez has built his recent reputation on relentless grappling pressure and a granite chin, having trained alongside middleweight champion Sean Strickland in preparation for this camp, while Rodrigues is known as one of the division's scariest punchers, capable of ending a fight in a single exchange. The winner likely positions themselves for a shot at the middleweight title picture, making this a consequential headliner.
- Anthony Hernandez -175
- Gregory Rodrigues +145
Serghei Spivac v Vitor Petrino (Co-Main)
A clash of contrasting styles between two ranked heavyweights, with the Moldovan-born Spivac (18-6) relying on heavy top control, ground-and-pound, and submission grappling to wear opponents down, while the younger Brazilian Petrino (14-2) is a more dynamic, well-rounded athlete who moved up from light heavyweight and has shown flashes of dangerous striking and finishing ability. This one has the makings of a classic grappler-versus-athlete matchup, with positioning in the heavyweight rankings on the line for both men.
- Serghei Spivac +142
- Vitor Petrino -170
Reinier de Ridder v Roman Dolidze (Main card bout)
Reinier de Ridder (21-4) and Roman Dolidze (15-5) collide in a new weight class for UFC Sacramento, as de Ridder makes his move up from middleweight to test himself against the tougher, more powerful bodies at 205 pounds. De Ridder built his reputation on suffocating grappling and a methodical, high-volume approach that wears opponents down over three rounds, while Dolidze is a durable, well-rounded veteran with underrated boxing and a knack for grinding out wins against bigger names. This fight serves as a measuring-stick bout to see whether de Ridder's grappling-heavy game translates against the increased size and power of the light heavyweight division.
- Reiner de Ridder -370
- Roman Dolidze +265
Carli Judice v Jeisia Chaves (Main card bout)
This one pairs the undefeated Brazilian prospect Chaves (8-0) against the scrappy, tough-as-nails Judice (6-2) in a stylistic clash worth watching closely. Chaves has looked sharp and composed in her limited UFC appearances so far, while Judice has built a reputation for grit and never backing down, even against difficult styles. It's the kind of opening main-card slot that often ends up being a sleeper "fight of the night" candidate given how evenly the two skill sets appear to match up on paper.
- Carli Judice -485
- Jeisia Chaves +370
Kennedy Nzechukwu v Shamil Gaziev (Main card bout)
This is a heavyweight showdown between two big punchers looking to keep their momentum going in a stacked division. Nzechukwu (14-6-1) made the move up from light heavyweight and has shown he can carry real power into the heavyweight ranks, often looking to end fights early with crisp boxing and fight-finishing combinations. Gaziev (14-3), on the other hand, is a hard-hitting, physically imposing heavyweight who tends to press forward and look to overwhelm opponents with volume and strength. Given both men's finishing instincts, this fight has real knockout potential and could easily be over before it reaches the judges' scorecards.
- Kennedy Nzechukwu +114
- Shamil Gaziev -135
All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook (Last updated August 16)
How UFC betting odds work
Knowing how to bet on UFC fights requires an understanding of how to read UFC betting odds. The differences between UFC lines and any other sport are not that big, but there are a few nuances to learn for the best chance of success.
Money line/odds to win
The straight money line bet is the most popular and easiest to understand UFC bet type. This is a straight-up bet on which fighter will win the bout. If a fighter is listed at -135, he is the favorite, and a winning bet of $135 would net $100 in addition to your initial stake. On the other side, an underdog listed at +110 would mean a winning bet of $100 would win $110 in addition to your initial stake.
Round totals or Over/Under rounds
A round total bet is another straightforward bet on whether you think a fight will end before or after a certain point. If a round total is set at 1.5 rounds, betting the Under means you think the fight will end before the midway point of the second round (2:30 into the round), the Over means you think the fight will end after. It is important to pay attention to whether the fight is scheduled for three or five rounds.
Looking at the history of both fighters to see how often they finish a fight and how often they have been finished can be key to finding success in betting on UFC round totals. A fight between two fighters who are big finishers may push you toward taking an Under, but if neither fighter has been stopped in their career, the value may be in taking the Over. The prices operate the same as a money-line bet as far as the plus/minus returns.
Point spread
Point spreads are not as common in UFC betting, and not every sportsbook offers them. They are also a slightly more complicated approach to betting on UFC fights than simply picking a winner. If you place a wager on a fighter who is -3.5, your bet will win if that fighter wins by knockout, submission, disqualification, or if the fight goes to decision and they win by four or more points when adding up the three official judges' scorecards.
In this case, if all three judges returned scorecards of 29-28 in favor of your fighter, your fighter would have only won by three points, and your bet would lose. If two judges score the fight 29-28 and the third 30-27, all for your fighter, your bet would win as they won by four points.
UFC prop betting
In addition to the above basic UFC bet types, there are a variety of prop bets available for most fights. These can have big returns but often come with a lower chance of hitting.
Method of victory props
Method of victory UFC prop bets come in a couple of different flavors. You can bet on one fighter to win by knockout (listed as KO/TKO/DQ), submission or decision. Many sportsbooks also let you bet on the method of victory without backing a specific fighter, simply wagering that either fighter wins by that method. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both fighters is vital to finding success in betting on a method of victory.
Fight props
Some common fight props include bets like whether or not the fight will go the distance, how many takedowns will be landed in the fight, whether the fight will be won by unanimous decision, and so on. Not every prop will be available for every fight, and fight props are often not listed until a day or two prior to the event.
Round props
Aside from round totals, there are other ways to bet on rounds in UFC betting. For example, many times you are able to bet on whether a fight will reach a certain round. Betting on a UFC fight to reach the second round will often have better odds than the fight going Over 1.5 rounds because you would be betting the fight wouldn't be finished in that extra 2:30 of action. Similarly, there are often bet options for which round a fight will end and other such options.
UFC parlays
When betting on UFC fights, you also have the option to build parlays where you bundle multiple picks together into one larger bet. For a parlay to win, each leg of the wager must win. There can be big returns when hitting on a parlay, but there is a lower chance of winning, as you must be correct multiple times.
As an example, if you were to successfully parlay three +110 money lines on a $10 bet, you would win $82.61. But three small underdogs winning is a fairly big ask, as reflected by that parlay having +826 odds. One key stat we will come back to later in the article is that favorites won 72% of their fights in the UFC in 2024. Keep that in mind when considering playing parlays.
UFC betting tips
Breaking down a UFC fight to figure out your best betting options is different from how one would approach betting on football, a team sport, in that you are looking at pure one-on-one matchups. Here is a quick rundown of some key strategies for how to bet on UFC fights.
Don't get caught up in fighter records
It's easy to look at a fight between a 12-0 fighter and a 14-5 fighter and think the undefeated fighter is a lock. Start by looking at the money lines. Are they wide in either direction, or are they close? Maybe this is the first big step up in competition for the undefeated fighter, and he is now facing a fighter who has been tested at the highest levels and can ask questions that the undefeated prospect has yet to have been asked. Fighters are more than their records.
Consider fighter styles
While the average UFC fighter is more well-rounded than at any previous point in the sport's history, every fighter has unique intangibles. A great technical striker with big power like Alex Pereira, facing a fighter with wild stand-up and not much wrestling, is likely to be heavily favored. However, a striker like Pereira might be an underdog in a matchup with a great grappler. In that case, you may want to explore various props for value rather than risking wide odds with little return. A useful tool is UFCStats.com, a website that tracks fighter statistics. Stats such as strikes landed and absorbed per minute, takedowns per 15 minutes and takedown defense percentage can give insight into how fighters match up.
Beware "MMA Math"
"MMA Math" is an idea based on the concept that if Fighter A beats Fighter B, and Fighter C beats Fighter A, Fighter C will beat Fighter B. Mixed martial arts is a complex sport with many variables. A fight between two fighters is about how their skills match up, not about how they have fared against common opponents. Fighters have styles that are better or worse suited to facing certain types of opponents, and you should focus on the heads-up pairing rather than past results unless those results have stylistic relevance.
Consider the measurables
Certain things are clear when it comes to a fight. The fighters will be the same weight (or within a pound or two) unless one misses weight, but what is the frame carrying that weight? A fighter with a significant height and reach advantage may be able to control the striking game, but do his past fights show that he is good at managing distance? A short and powerfully built fighter may have a wrestling background that allows him to get inside and use explosive strength.
Similarly, has a fighter been on a long layoff? Is he coming off an injury? These are all things you can—and should—consider before betting on a UFC fight.
Live UFC betting
Many sites offer live betting as a UFC fight is in progress. Sharp bettors will keep an eye on a fight to find moments of high value. A favorite may have a rough first round that sees him slip to a small underdog. If you believe the favorite will turn things around to either score a stoppage or win the remainder of the rounds for a decision victory, getting a live bet at the peak of that value can be beneficial to your bankroll.
UFC bettors will want to pay attention to small things as a fight progresses to catch additional value. Things like realizing that getting hit by leg kicks is compromising a fighter, or that a wrestling-first fighter can't close distance as effectively as expected in the first round, or that a fighter seems unusually fatigued early are all moments that could present an opportunity for value in live UFC betting.
Upcoming UFC schedule of events
The UFC has a new exclusive home on Paramount+ in 2026. Here is the upcoming schedule:
- UFC Fight Night: August 22, Hernandez vs. Rodrigues
- UFC Fight Night: August 29, Nurmagomedov vs. Song
- UFC Fight Night: September 5: Hooker vs. Parnasse
