Wagering on mixed martial arts (MMA), and UFC betting in particular, continues to rapidly grow in popularity across the world. We know UFC betting Canada keeps up with its combat sports. We’re just more accustomed to seeing a couple of dudes duking it out in a pair of skates on a sheet of ice as opposed to barefoot, on a mat, and in an octagon.
If we can bet on two individuals going toe-to-toe in a ring, with striking, grappling, and submitting tactics permitted, you can bet your bottom Canadian dollar that’s what we’ll do. And with a point system similar to that of boxing, UFC events are really just a legal form of bar fighting when you come to think about it. Sure, it’s one-on-one without any sucker-punching haymakers, there’s an actual referee, and there’s no chairs involved, but you get the point.
The bottom line is, there are stats to study, fight styles to take into consideration, and past results to rely upon when trying to find that edge on UFC fight card betting odds at your Canadian sportsbook. If you’re a recreational bettor who’s all for flying knees and knockouts, with an appetite for profit, then UFC betting is right up your alley.
UFC Betting Odds Explained: Types of Bets
The available bets to wager on for each fight in the UFC might not be as extensive as other pro sports such as the NFL or the NBA, however there are still plenty of UFC betting options that offer value. The three most common wagers you can make on a UFC fight are:
- To Win Fight
- Fight Outcome
- Round Betting
Let’s break down each of these types of UFC bets, and how to read the odds.
Moneyline Betting: To Win Fight
Like a moneyline in other sports, the “To Win Fight” wager in UFC betting is no different. This self-explanatory bet type means you wager on the fighter you believe will, you guessed it, win the fight. Online sportsbooks also refer to this type of wager as a straight up bet because, drum roll please, you’re picking a fighter to win straight up over the other.
And as is the case in most other sports, there’s less risk of the “favourite” losing the fight to the “underdog.” Let’s say Conor McGregor is fighting Montreal, Quebec’s very own Georges St. Pierre, American odds to win that fight would look something like this at PowerPlay:
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| St.Pierre | -210 |
| McGregor | +140 |
If you bet $100 on GSP to win the fight, and “Rush” ends up ruining “The Notorious” mouthpiece McGregor, then you would win $142.62. You would get your $100 back, plus your winnings of $47.62. If you bet $100 on “The Combat Sport King” as the fight winner, and he comes away with a victory, then you would win $240.00. You would get your $100 back, plus your winnings of $140.00. Wagering on underdogs in UFC betting, McGregor in this case, is a riskier bet but you get a bigger payout. Wagering on favourites, such as St. Pierre, is less risky but comes with smaller winnings.
OVER/UNDER: Total Rounds Betting
In UFC betting when you wager on a specific round in which you believe a fight will end, you’re “round betting”. You are betting on how long you think the fight will last. Round betting can be broken down further into its two most popular betting markets, “Exact Round” and “Total Rounds”. Exact round prop bets at PowerPlay might look something like this:
| Jon Jones vs Khabib Exact Round Finish | Jones Odds | Khabib Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -300 | +210 |
| 2 | +130 | +320 |
| 3 | +300 | +430 |
Before you go make a wager on this prop bet, it’s important to do some studying on fighting style and previous results for each gladiator. “Bones” has some serious knockout power, and his odds reflect that. He’s most likely to win the bout via knockout in the first round. If you believe Jones will win in the second round instead, the odds increase to +130 due to the volatility of a fight lasting longer than anticipated.
Total rounds betting is similar to making a Totals wager for the NFL, NBA, and MLB. However, how long the fight lasts is the metric, as opposed to how many points are scored by the fighters. It’s on you to decide whether the fight will go OVER or UNDER the listed line. Total Rounds prop bets might look something like this:
| Jon Jones vs Khabib Total Rounds | OVER | UNDER |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | +400 | -400 |
| 2.5 | +200 | -300 |
In analyzing the above table, oddsmakers are telling us that they believe this fight won’t last very long. Depending on who’s fighting, the prop odds can change considerably. And as the fight goes on, the odds typically increase, especially if there are two fighters who are known for putting people to sleep fast.
Props Betting: Fight Outcome
When you wager on how a fight will end (knockout, submission, decision), you are making a Fight Outcome bet. UFC odds will change depending on the fighters’ styles, their most recent results, which weight class they’re in, and their arm length or reach. Picking a precise method of victory can be pretty unpredictable, but because of that, the odds often pay plus (+) money. Let’s say Amanda Nunes is fighting Holly Holm in a women’s bantamweight fight. Fight outcome prop bets might look something like this:
| A.Nunes vs H.Holm Method of Victory | Nunes Odds | Holm Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Knockout | +140 | +170 |
| Submission | +240 | +310 |
| Decision | +120 | +240 |
If you bet $100 on Nunes to knockout Holm, you would win $240. You would get your $100 back plus your winnings of $140. If you bet on Holm to submit Nunes, you would win $410. You would get your $100 back plus your winning of $310. But before you place any bets, ask yourself these questions:
- Has Nunes or Holm ever been knocked out before?
- How many knockouts/submissions does each fighter have on their record?
- Do these fighters prefer to stand up and exchange blows or grapple on the mat?
- Can these fighters endure a fight that lasts three-to-five rounds?
If you’re a UFC fanatic, and follow the blood sport year-round, this market is probably for you. Even if you’re confident in answering these questions, there are still many others to be answered. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend making your very first UFC wager on a Fight Outcome bet.
Heavyweight Fight Outcome Props
Now let’s take a look at what fight outcome prop bets for a heavyweight tilt between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou might look like:
| S.Miocic vs F.Ngannou Method of Victory | Miocic Odds | Ngannou Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Knockout | -140 | +120 |
| Submission | +160 | +240 |
| Decision | +310 | +410 |
Notice the difference in the knockout portion? Heavyweights are ordinarily heavy hitters who typically don’t last for a full three to five rounds. Because these fighters lack the endurance compared to Nunes and Holm, the odds are larger for the fight to go the distance. If you bet $100 on Miocic to knockout Ngannou, you would win $171.43. You would get your $100 back plus your winnings of $71.43. If you bet on Ngannou to win by decision, you would win $510. You would get your $100 back, plus your winnings of $410.
Ready to Make Your UFC Betting Picks?
If you’re not the Anderson Silva of UFC betting and you’re trying to absorb as much information as possible prior to placing your first wager at a UFC betting site in Canada, here are a few extra tips to take with you:
- Avoid betting on the Draw
- Remember that fighters evolve
- Research, research, research
Lastly, follow fighters’ training regimens, see what they’re saying on social media or watch how they’re cutting weight for the following UFC fight night. It’s extremely import to do your homework. As we all know, failing to plan, is planning to fail. And it’s no different in UFC betting.
