UFC betting has grown in popularity around the world alongside the rise of mixed martial arts. However, the legality of betting on UFC events varies significantly depending on your country of residence. While some regions allow unrestricted betting on UFC fights through licensed sportsbooks, others impose restrictions or outright prohibit this type of market.
That’s why, before placing your first UFC wager, it’s essential to understand the local regulations in your area and make sure to use only platforms that operate with a valid license and legal recognition. This ensures the protection of your data and guarantees transparency in all betting operations.
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No Odds or Payouts Currently Available
In countries where UFC betting is regulated, the value of odds and payouts is a key factor when evaluating a sportsbook. As with any other sport, bettors naturally prefer platforms that offer the highest possible returns.
However, in regions where UFC betting is still not authorized, there are no official odds or valid payout calculators available. For this reason, it’s important to be cautious with sites that advertise odds or payout potential for UFC fights — in most cases, these are unlicensed operators with questionable legality and reliability.
Unregulated Betting Sites and UFC: A Real Risk
So, which operators should you avoid?
There are many unlicensed platforms that allow users to bet on Ultimate Fighting Championship events. While this might seem like an attractive opportunity, it’s important to understand that betting with unregulated sites carries serious risks.
These include:
- Hefty fines, especially if local law prohibits this type of betting
- Account closure without notice, resulting in loss of deposited funds
- Lack of responsible gambling policies, increasing exposure to harmful practices
Moreover, without a valid license (local or international), users have no legal protection in case of disputes. In short: if a site offers UFC odds in a country where this betting is not allowed, it’s best to steer clear.
Promotions and Bonuses Available
Sports betting fans are always on the lookout for platforms that offer bonuses and promotions, such as welcome offers, cashback deals, or combo multipliers. These promotions are usually available across a wide range of sports, but UFC is often excluded in regions where betting on it is not yet regulated.
In contrast, in countries where UFC betting is legal, some operators launch exclusive bonuses for major events, similar to what we see during major tennis tournaments like Wimbledon or the US Open.
If more countries begin to regulate UFC betting in the future, we can expect those promotions to appear in new markets as well.
UFC Live Betting and Streaming
Even if local regulatory bodies approve UFC betting, live betting options may remain limited. This is due to the fast-paced nature of the fights, which makes it difficult for sportsbooks to adjust odds in real-time with accuracy.
Additionally, live streaming of UFC fights on betting platforms is extremely rare, since the UFC sells its broadcasting rights to major media platforms at a premium. As a result, even in countries where betting is legal, users typically need to pay for a subscription to watch live UFC events.
Potential UFC Betting Markets
While legal UFC betting may not yet be available in many regions, we can take a look at the markets offered in countries where it is allowed to get a sense of what might become available globally in the future.
The most common betting options include:
- Fight winner
- Method of victory (KO, submission, decision, etc.)
- Total number of rounds
- Exact round result
- Double chance (e.g., win by KO or submission)
Although the range of UFC markets is more limited compared to sports like soccer or basketball, the popularity of MMA continues to grow, and with it, the potential for betting platforms to develop more options.
World Champion Market
Among all UFC betting options, one of the most exciting and strategic markets is the futures bet on who will become world champion. Bettors can choose between backing a fighter scheduled for a title bout, betting on statements like “Fighter X will become world champion before [date],” or placing special bets tied to upcoming events.
In the previous table, we listed all current UFC titleholders across different weight classes. As shown in the final column, some of them have already defended their belts multiple times, which adds an extra layer of complexity and intrigue to these long-term bets.
Without a doubt, this is one of the most popular and engaging markets available on international UFC betting sites.
| Date Crowned | Champion | Nationality | Division | Successful Defenses |
| March 4, 2023 | Jon Jones | United States | Heavyweight | 1 |
| November 12, 2023 | Tom Aspinall (Interim) | United Kingdom | Heavyweight (Interim) | 1 |
| March 8, 2025 | Magomed Ankalaev | Russia | Light Heavyweight | 0 |
| January 20, 2024 | Dricus du Plessis | South Africa | Middleweight | 2 |
| July 28, 2024 | Belal Muhammad | United States | Welterweight | 0 |
| October 21, 2022 | Islam Makhachev | Russia | Lightweight | 4 |
| February 17, 2024 | Ilia Topuria | Spain | Featherweight | 1 |
| September 14, 2024 | Merab Dvalishvili | Georgia | Bantamweight | 1 |
| July 8, 2023 | Alexandre Pantoja | Brazil | Flyweight | 3 |
| October 5, 2024 | Julianna Peña | United States | Women’s Bantamweight | 0 |
| September 14, 2024 | Valentina Shevchenko | Kyrgyzstan | Women’s Flyweight | 0 |
| November 12, 2022 | Zhang Weili | China | Women’s Strawweight | 3 |
Match Winner
Another widely used and beginner-friendly market is the Match Winner.
This bet can be placed on any UFC fight, regardless of whether there is a title on the line. It’s a straightforward market that offers multiple layers of variation.
You can bet on:
- A fighter to win by any method
- A fighter to win by KO, submission, or decision
- The fight ending early due to a knockout or referee stoppage (TKO)
Due to the brutal intensity of many UFC matches, it’s common for a fight to end before the final bell. One of the most notable examples is the Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor bout in July 2021, where the match was stopped by TKO.
McGregor’s rivalry with Nate Diaz, shown in countless face-offs and headlines, remains one of the most iconic in recent UFC history.
Round Over/Under
According to UFC rules, non-title fights are scheduled for a maximum of 3 rounds, while title fights consist of 5 rounds, each lasting 5 minutes.
With the Over/Under Rounds market, bettors ignore who wins and instead wager on how long the fight will last. You might place a bet on “Over 1.5 rounds” or “Under 2.5 rounds,” depending on your prediction of the fight’s duration.
This market is especially popular among experienced bettors who analyze fighters’ styles, past performances, and knockout history to determine whether a bout is likely to go the distance or end quickly.
UFC at a Glance – Organization Profile
| Full Name | Ultimate Fighting Championship |
| Host Country | International (global events) |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas, United States |
| Format | 3 rounds of 5 minutes (5 rounds for title fights) |
| Slogan | “As real as it gets” |
| Website | www.ufc.com |
The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization. Its history began with the creation of a tournament called War of the Worlds, launched by Art Davie, Rorion Gracie, and John Milius under the WOW Promotions brand.
Originally conceived as a no-rules competition featuring fighters from all martial arts disciplines, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the first official event (UFC 1) took place in Denver in 1993. Due to its extreme violence, the UFC immediately faced heavy criticism, especially from U.S. Senator John McCain, and was banned in many states.
Following a major crisis and several ownership changes, the UFC began rising in popularity after UFC 52 and the launch of pay-per-view broadcasting. Strategic acquisitions of rival organizations like WEC and Strikeforce, along with a television deal with FOX, helped the UFC cement its position. Thanks to stricter regulations, the organization gained mainstream legitimacy in the 2010s and began hosting global events.
Three UFC Legends You Should Know
Let’s take a closer look at three of the most iconic fighters in recent UFC history. All of them have held championship belts and dominated their respective weight divisions. Surprisingly, Conor McGregor doesn’t make the list, as his trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier confirmed his decline in rankings.
Kamaru Usman – Nigeria
Born in Benin City in 1987, Kamaru Usman rose to prominence as a welterweight champion and the first African-born UFC titleholder. He won The Ultimate Fighter in 2015 and built a reputation as a dangerous striker with elite wrestling skills.
Khabib Nurmagomedov – Russia
Hailing from Dagestan, Khabib remains one of the most dominant fighters in MMA history, boasting a 29–0 undefeated record. Competing in the lightweight division, he retired without ever being beaten, making him a living legend in the sport.
Dustin Poirier – United States
Born in Louisiana in 1989, Dustin Poirier gained international fame by defeating Conor McGregor twice in their epic trilogy. After moving from featherweight to lightweight in 2015, he captured the interim UFC title in 2019 and has remained a fan favorite ever since.
The Best Way to Experience the Octagon: Through Betting
To conclude this guide, it’s important to note that UFC betting is still not authorized in countries that follow strict gambling regulations like those enforced by the ADM (Italian regulator). These authorities consider UFC events — and MMA in general — too violent to be included in licensed sports betting platforms.
While there may be unlicensed sites offering UFC betting, these operators:
- Do not follow legal guidelines
- Do not protect user data
- Pose financial and security risks
For these reasons, it’s best to avoid unauthorized platforms altogether.
Final Thought from Conor McGregor
“I’m cocky in prediction. I am confident in preparation. But I am always humble in victory or defeat.”
— Conor McGregor, Ireland
