Best UFC Betting Sites for Ontario Bettors in 2024
Looking to add to the excitement of watching UFC and MMA fights? Look no further than the best UFC betting sites.
With over 10 years of experience betting on mixed martial arts, I’ve learned valuable tips to avoid common mistakes that can cost you big. Join me as I share my personal experiences and expertise in this exciting world of sports betting.
On this page, you’ll find:
- Information on my Top Rated UFC Betting Sites in Ontario and my own ranking of the Apps that are currently on offer from each.
- How to get started betting on the UFC, including how to open an account and what deposit, withdrawal and betting Limits actually mean.
- Understanding the difference between UFC and MMA,
- Information on what different lines and bet types are available in UFC and MMA Betting in 2024.
- The latest UFC events upcoming in 2024 that you absolutely NEED to be watching.
- Top MMA promotions outside the UFC to check out and potentially bet on.
- Finally, I will explain why I feel it is worth betting on UFC, as long as you know what you’re doing with our guide!
At GambleOntario, we are committed to providing you with the most honest and unbiased reviews of online casinos and sportsbooks. Our dedicated team of experts meticulously evaluates each site, ensuring our reviews are thorough and informed. Our exclusive Rating System employs statistical models to assess various factors, including trustworthiness, legitimacy, game fairness, user feedback, payout efficiency, and more, to assign accurate ratings to licensed online gambling websites.
Gambling should always be approached as a form of entertainment, not a solution to financial issues. Remember that gambling can become addictive and have significant impacts on various aspects of your life, including financial stability and personal relationships. We encourage you to gamble responsibly and to recognize when the fun stops. If you ever find yourself exhibiting signs of problem gambling, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help or speak to someone. Responsible gambling is crucial, and support is available to those who need it. Always play wisely and within your limits.
At GambleOntario, we want to be transparent about how we fund our website. If you choose to visit a casino or sportsbook by clicking on the designated links or visit buttons on our lists and make a deposit, we may earn a commission. This comes at no additional cost to you. We assure you that these affiliate links do not influence the quality or the integrity of the information we provide. We are deeply committed to providing genuine, unbiased reviews and trustworthy insights about online gambling in Ontario. Our priority is to ensure that our content helps you make well-informed decisions about where and how to gamble online securely.
Rank | Top Features | Payments | Secure Link |
---|
- Live Streaming
- Huge Variety of Bets
- Easy Site Navigation
- Cash Out Markets
- Live Bets
- 30+ Betting Markets
- Major Sporting Events
- Odds On Small Sports
- Huge Variety of Bets
- Large Selection of Bets and Odds
- Fast Payouts
- Impressive Range of Bets
- Unique Betting Features
- Early Cashout
- Top NHL Odds
- Great Odds
- Huge Variety of Bets
- Top NHL Odds
- Huge Variety of Bets
- Esports
- Great In-Play Section
1. BetMGM Sports
If you’re looking for the best sports betting experience for Ontario UFC Betting in 2024, BetMGM is the perfect choice for you.
The site is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that you won’t get frustrated before placing your bets.
What impressed me the most was their vast selection of UFC fights available for betting. BetMGM has various lines and betting options, whether you’re interested in Fight Result, Method of Victory, or Exact Round That The Fight Will End.
If you’re new to UFC betting, I recommend BetMGM Sports. It’s a reliable and easy-to-use platform that offers a great selection of fights and betting options. With BetMGM, you can have a fun and seamless UFC betting experience.
Why is BetMGM a top option for UFC betting for Ontario fans?
- Good site layout, easy to navigate
- At least two different UFC events to bet on at any given time
- Different lines to choose from beyond Fight Result
If you are looking for the best sportsbook, you must read the full review of BetMGM Sports.
2. BetVictor
As a UFC fan and occasional bettor myself, I have used BetVictor in the past for UFC betting in Ontario.
The site has a user-friendly layout and is easy to navigate on mobile devices, but I found it was still pretty straightforward to use on my desktop computer.
I did notice that BetVictor typically only offers odds for the next Numbered UFC PPV event, which can be a bit disappointing if you’re hoping to bet on other events.
BetVictor only allows you to bet on the Winner Outright for a contest, which could be limiting if you want more betting options.
Overall, I would say that BetVictor is a reputable site, but the limited number of lines available is a drawback, in my opinion.
Before betting on the UFC with BetVictor:
- Easy to use site, if not tailored mainly for mobile users
- Only one UFC event currently available to bet on
- Only Fight Result/Outright Winner available to bet on per fight
The complete review of BetVictor Sports is a must-read for all sports betting enthusiasts.
Outright Winner Bets, Friendly Interface, Ideal for Mobile Betting
Link3. Northstar Bets
Northstar Bets is another site for UFC Betting in Ontario. I have placed bets on Northstar Bets before, and while their site layout is not as good as some of the other sites I have used, I found it easy enough to navigate to the Sportsbook section of the site.
The selection of bouts you can bet on is pretty vast, and I found contests up to four months in advance.
The betting layout was cumbersome and not very user-friendly. At the time, Northstar Bets only offered Fight Result Odds, which was fine for me, but if you’re looking for more varied lines, you will want to consider other betting sites.
Is it worth betting on the UFC with NorthStar Bets?
- Easy to navigate site, if more solid than BetMGM or BetVictor
- Long list of bouts to bet on, although the layout of them is not great
- Only Fight Result/Outright Winner is available to bet on per fight
Want to get an in-depth analysis of the top sportsbooks for online betting? Read the expert review NorthStar Bets.
4. LeoVegas
LeoVegas is another site with a Sportsbook that offers betting for UFC in Ontario. I found the site layout to be quite user-friendly, especially on mobile devices. The events were listed chronologically, making it easy to find the upcoming fights I was interested in betting on.
I was disappointed to see that the site only offered Fight Winner odds and no other betting lines for individual fights. Despite this drawback, I appreciated that LeoVegas had a wide selection of events available to bet on, with options available up until four months later.
I would say that LeoVegas is a decent option for those looking to bet on UFC in Ontario. Still, it may not be the best choice for those who prefer more diverse betting options.
Users interested in UFC betting Ontario opt for LeoVegas for its:
- Decent site layout that is mainly tailored towards mobile users
- Great list of events to bet on
Currently, the only betting option available per fight is to bet on the Fight Result/Outright Winner.
Don’t miss out on the latest updates about one of the best betting sites. Read the LeoVegas Sports review today.
π₯ Jake’s Hot Take on Choosing the Best UFC Betting Site
In my role as an analyst of UFC betting platforms, I recognize the strengths of both mainstream and niche betting sites. While popular sites like BetMGM are often lauded for their ease of use and broad market offerings, there might be overlooked advantages in exploring smaller, less-recognized platforms. These could offer more competitive odds, particularly beneficial to more seasoned bettors. I suggest you explore different options to make the most of your betting strategy and increase your financial returns. Finding a balance between user experience and potential profit opportunities is essential.
Which Is The Best UFC Betting App in Ontario?
When it comes to the best UFC Betting Apps for Ontario, I’ve got to give it to BetMGM again.
If you’re a UFC and MMA betting fan, you should consider using the BetMGM Sports Betting Ontario App.
One of the main reasons I recommend this app is because it offers a wide variety of betting options that are not available on other betting apps.
BetMGM’s betting lines are superior to other betting apps, as they offer a variety of lines, including Fight Result, Method of Victory, How The Fight Will End, Exact Round That The Fight Will End and more. This gives you more options when deciding how to place your bets.
The app is also user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it easy to find the events you want to bet on and place your bets quickly and efficiently. It offers a streamlined registration process that takes only a few minutes to complete.
BetMGM offers a secure betting platform that you can trust. The app is backed by one of the most reputable and trusted names in the betting industry, and you can feel confident that your personal and financial information is safe and secure.
If you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy app for UFC and MMA betting in Ontario, the BetMGM Sports Betting Ontario App is a great option.
You can download the BetMGM Sports Betting Ontario App on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
β MMA Odds
Arguably the biggest factor when looking at the best MMA betting sites is the actual odds available across different events. So I’ve scoured the current sites offering UFC betting in Canada to bring you the best for your money.
As I mentioned in the above assessments, BetMGM is currently the only sportsbook I can find in Ontario that offers lines beyond only Fight Result, so that is the primary reason I have it in the top spot.
β MMA Events
It’s not just the UFC that offers potential bettors the option to stake on a fight, and specific sites will look around at the plethora of huge MMA events, as others will definitely be worth your time! I’ve ensured that the sites I list in this guide have a good choice of different opportunities to bet on results beyond just the UFC.
β Live Betting
Being able to wager on live fights is an essential part of the experience when it comes to MMA betting, so the sites I’ve looked at take this into account so that fans have selections to suit their needs when it comes to live betting on-site.
β Betting App
Again looking at the experience for the bettor, having a quality way for fans to bet on MMA via a mobile app is extremely important, and I paid particular attention to this when considering the sites I believe you should be looking at for your deposits.
β Customer Support
Having good 24-hour customer support is another essential component of having a viable sports betting site. I made sure to include the sports sites that take this element of the job into account on top of everything else!
β Quick Winning Bet Payouts
When you’re placing MMA bets, it’s good to know that you’re using a sportsbook that will be able to offer quick bet payouts, something I have also taken into account in my reviews of the best sites and betting apps currently available for UFC betting in Canada.
β Overall Reputation
One of the most critical factors to consider when searching for the best UFC betting app in Ontario is the overall reputation of different bookmakers. A sportsbook’s popularity, business model, strategy, site experience, and betting platform can significantly contribute to its reputation. Therefore, I thoroughly evaluate these factors to find the best MMA betting sites.
Getting Started With UFC Betting Sites
If you’re looking to get started in the world of UFC betting Ontario, it’s important to know how to do so in the simplest terms. I’m here to help guide you through the process.
To begin, you’ll need to open an account with a sportsbook. Although the process may vary from site to site, the general best practice is to navigate to the ‘Register‘ section. For example, on BetMGM, you can find the ‘Register’ section in the top right-hand corner of the main page.
Once you click ‘Register,’ you’ll be directed to a new webpage where you’ll need to enter your email address and create a password.
You’ll also be required to provide personal details such as your full name, address, and date of birth. This is because, for legal reasons, betting sites need to verify your identity.
When registering with a betting site, it’s important to understand Deposits, Withdrawals, and Betting Limits.
- Deposits are the amount of money you’re putting into your bank on the app, site or sportsbook to use for betting.
- Withdrawals are when you win money on an app or site and want to withdraw your winnings. However, some sites may limit the amount you can take out at a certain time.
- Betting Limits: it’s essential to set your own Betting Limits to ensure you’re never putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Most reputable apps and sites in the betting market provide this feature.
What Is The Difference Between MMA & UFC?
Many people do not know the difference between MMA and UFC, as they’re terms that can easily get muddled up if you don’t know the sport.
It is a very similar situation to WWE and Pro Wrestling, where they’re essentially one and the same, except one is the biggest brand name (WWE) in the sport (Pro Wrestling).
What Is MMA?
MMA stands for ‘Mixed Martial Arts,’ and this is the standardized name for the sport across a number of different events.
Mixed Martial Arts bouts are held either in a ring or a cage, with the majority of the biggest promotions in the world having their events take place in their own stylized arena, such as UFC’s Octagon, PFL’s Smart Cage or ONE FC’s Circle cage.
There are hundreds of different events taking place across the globe on a monthly basis, with some being broadcast to millions of homes.
MMA features a number of standardized rules that are enforced by different sporting leagues and companies, such as the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Fighters in mixed martial arts tend to have a strong base and training in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Muay Thai Kickboxing and Boxing, although many also bring different styles from their country of origin, such as UFC legend Lyoto Machida, who was a Karate practitioner.
What Is UFC?
UFC is the biggest MMA promotion in the world. Known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the company is fronted by UFC President Dana White. The UFC is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was initially founded by Art Davie and Brazilian martial artist Rorion Gracie.
UFC’s first event took place in 1993, and the premise of the initial shows would pit martial artists from various disciplines against each other to determine which was the ‘ultimate’ martial art in a real fight situation.
The sport and UFC promotion have grown exponentially in the following decades, with Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, alongside Dana White, purchasing the company in January 2001 for only $2 million US Dollars and subsequently creating Zuffa, LLC.
It wasn’t until the creation of The Ultimate Fighter reality television series that things really began to take off for the company, as the format of finding the next UFC star was a massive hit in 2005 on Spike TV.
The first-ever TUF finale featured a sensational bout between Forrest Griffin and Stephen Bonnar that is regarded as one of the most important bouts in the sport’s history, drawing a massive rating for the television broadcast and bringing new fans to the burgeoning sport.
Endeavor bought a controlling interest in the company in 2016 for a reported $4 Billion US Dollars.
Endeavor would eventually purchase the company in total in 2021, with MMA Fighting reporting at the time: “When Endeavor closed a deal to obtain a controlling interest in the UFC back in 2016 for just over $4 billionβ¦This new buyout will now give Endeavor 100 per cent controlling interest over the UFC…”
What Are the Differences Between Numbered UFC & UFC Fight Night?
The UFC has two different styles of fight cards, with these being numbered PPV events and UFC Fight Night shows.
Numbered events are shown in North America on PPV, with ESPN+ being the current home for fans to check out all of the action.
As you’d expect, the Pay-Per-View events feature the biggest names in the company and the biggest fights that the UFC has to offer.
UFC Fight Night events are shows that take place for fans to watch live on television, with fans in Canada being able to watch the full fight card on TSN. Although these shows are technically ‘free’ to watch, they often feature top names from the different UFC weight classes on offer across the roster.
Although some would probably expect that the numbered events would be far superior, it is sometimes actually the UFC Fight Night cards that produce some of the best fights of the year as up-and-coming competitors strive to make a name for themselves inside the octagon.
They will often pull out all of the stops to try and make a splash among the fans and UFC management.
π Victory Method
There are multiple ways a fighter can beat their opponent to win an MMA bout, including knockout (KO/TKO), submission or decision (split or unanimous).
Betting on how a fight might finish could be lucrative, especially if you’ve got a good knowledge of the competitors in the octagon for a particular bout.
I’ve found that the Victory Method can be a great way to bet on UFC and MMA contests, especially if you’ve got the stats to hand that you can rely on.
An example is when I placed a bet on Francis Ngannou vs Stipe Miocic back at UFC UFC 260, where I wagered that Ngannou would win via KO. Ngannou had won his previous four bouts via KO/TKO, so it seemed like the wise choice that paid off!
Conversely, you need to be careful here. Again, using Ngannou as an example, his next fight after Miocic against Ciryl Gane went to a Decision victory, something that only a few experts or fans had predicted. Thankfully, I hadn’t wagered on that one!
π Outright Winner
Outright Winner is the most common betting type for MMA and UFC bouts, much like boxing. A bettor has more or less a 50/50 chance of getting the outcome they want, with the chances of a draw or a no contest being relatively low.
If you’re new to MMA betting, this will likely be your first port of call when it comes to putting down a bet, and props may be something you can consider later down the line.
If you’re used to betting on the likes of the NFL, MLB or NHL, then you’re likely to have seen this quite a lot.
What I enjoy most about betting on UFC and MMA compared to those team sports is that, again, you’re rarely ever likely to see a draw in a fight, so you can make a more considered decision when wagering.
π Moneyline
The Moneyline is something you’ll see quite a lot on UFC.com, especially when looking at the individual fight cards.
The Moneyline will give you information on who is the favourite and who is the underdog in a fight.
The favourite will appear with a + followed by a number and the underdog will be listed with a – followed by a number. For example, the matchup between Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett at UFC 284 listed Rodriguez as the favourite at -165 and Emmett as the underdog at +140.
π Total Rounds – Over/Under Rounds
A total rounds bout sounds exactly like it is, with bettors trying to determine which round a fight could end at a given event.
Usually, you’ll find one or two different picks, with over 2.5 or under 2.5 being the most common way to bet on a standard 5-round Championship or Main Event fight.
For more standard fights on the undercard, you’ll see an over 1.5 or under 1.5 bet being the most common way to make a total rounds bet on a 3-round contest.
π Parlays
A parlay bet, also known as an accumulator, means that a bettor has made a few different bets and tied them together to create a chance to earn a higher amount overall.
Although the payout will be significantly more than individual bets, it’s worth noting that if you’re incorrect on just one of your predictions, you’ll lose out on the total bet.
So, if you’re looking at doing this, just be aware that the risks are higher, and you could lose out.
π Prop Bets
A prop bet refers to a wager that is placed on a fight that does not necessarily affect the overall outcome of the fight itself.
One of the more popular prop bets in UFC/MMA is ‘will the fighters touch gloves?’ as this is a common tradition in MMA history amongst fighters who have respect for each other in the cage.
If you know that the two men or women competing aren’t exactly fans of each other, then it might be worth betting against them doing so!
π Futures
Futures bets see bettors making a prediction on what could happen at some point in the future.
Examples of this would be ‘Conor McGregor wins a UFC title in 2023’ or ‘Francis Ngannou returns to the UFC in 2023.’
While the two above are not necessarily likely to happen, they would be available with some great odds on a number of different sportsbooks.
π Live Betting
Betting ‘in play’ as a market has become a big element of MMA and UFC betting in the past few years.
If you feel confident that you can make a pick during the course of a fight, such as a competitor winning in a certain round based on what you’re seeing inside the octagon, then this can be a great value way to bet during an event.
Latest UFC Events & Betting Odds
Get excited for the first few months of 2024 because the UFC has a lot in store! Some of the biggest fighters are all set to grace the octagon again, making it an eventful start to the year. To give you a sneak peek of what’s coming up, here’s a list of the currently announced fights:
- UFC Fight Night – Saturday, February 3rd 2024
- UFC Fight Night – Saturday, February 10th 2024
- UFC 298 – Saturday, February 17th 2024
- UFC Fight Night – Saturday, February 24th 2024
- UFC Fight Night – Saturday, March 2nd 2024
- UFC 299 – Saturday, March 9th 2024
- UFC Fight Night – Saturday, March 16th 2024
- UFC Fight Night – Saturday, March 23rd 2024
- UFC Fight Night – Saturday, March 30th 2024
- UFC Fight Night – Saturday, April 5th 2024
- UFC 300 – Saturday, April 13th 2024
As you’ve probably noticed, there are a few events in that list that I’ve bolded, and that is because they’ve got some fantastic bouts currently scheduled. There’s likely to be even more thrown into the mix.
π UFC 298
UFC 298 sees the return of Alexander Volkanovski to the octagon, following his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 back in October 2023.
Unlike the bout against Makhachev, which was fought at 155 lbs/Lightweight for Islam’s coveted Lightweight title, Volk will be returning to the 145lb/Featherweight division to defend his title against the extremely talented Ilia Topuria.
Topuria will be entering the cage looking to retain his 14-0-0 record against one of the most dominant challengers of the last decade in Volk, but with impressive wins over the likes of Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell, Jai Herbert and Damon Jackson, Topuria has more than earned his shot at the 145lb gold.
Here are the other bouts currently confirmed for the event as of writing:
- Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry – Welterweight
- Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo – Bantamweight
- Anthony Hernandez vs. Ikram Aliskerov – Middleweight
- Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Lemos – Women’s Strawweight
- Marcos RogΓ©rio de Lima vs. Justin Tafa – Heavyweight
- Zhang Mingyang vs. Brendson Ribeiro – Light Heavyweight
- Andrea Lee vs. Miranda Maverick – Women’s Flyweight
π UFC 299
UFC 299 is also shaping up to be a fantastic card, with two headline bouts that could be two of the best this year!
The Main Event will see UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley looking to defend his title against Marlon Vera, who defeated ‘Suga’ Sean back in August 2020.
Vera is the only fighter to have defeated O’Malley in his professional MMA career, so the Champ will be looking to avenge that and keep the gold when arguably two of the best 135lb fighters in the world head to the octagon in March.
The second bout that could take all of the headlines will see Dustin Poirier (currently ranked #3 in the UFC Lightweight division) return to take Benoit Saint Denis (ranked #11).
A win here could catapult Saint Denis into the Top 10 of the Lightweight ranks, whereas Poirier is looking to get back into the Championship fold and a contest against Islam Makhachev.
π UFC Fight Night – Saturday, March 23rd 2024
It is rare to see a genuinely huge star on a UFC Fight Night card, mainly because they are free to watch and not on PPV. However, UFC Fight Night on March 23rd will see the return of Rose Namajunas to the octagon when she takes on Amanda Ribas in a Womenβs Flyweight contest.
Namajunas is coming into this fight after two straight losses. Many are looking at this as a βdo or dieβ situation for her, so Iβm expecting to see fireworks from βThugβ Rose when she gets back in there!
π UFC 300
UFC 300 pinnacles what will be a monumental week for TKO Holdings, with WrestleMania 40 taking place the week prior.
Only one Championship bout has been confirmed for the card, but there is no doubt that the company will put at least two or three blockbuster bouts on there nearer to the time.
For context, UFC 100 featured
- Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir,
- Georges St Pierre vs Thiago Alves and
- Dean Henderson vs Michael Bisping.
UFC 200 featured
- Miesha Tate vs Amanda Nunes,
- Brock Lesnar vs Mark Hunt,
- Daniel Cormier vs Anderson Silva and
- Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar,
so you know that the company takes these big hundred cards seriously!
Top MMA Events to Bet On Besides UFC
Since I last wrote this section, there have been some monumental moves in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, including the purchase of Bellator by the PFL.
Considering the landscape of the sport now, it’s worth taking a re-focused look at exactly what is out there and what you could be looking to place your stake on.
β PFL
As mentioned, the Professional Fighters League, a company focusing on both League-based MMA tournaments and singular Megafight PPVs (featuring the likes of Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul), purchased Bellator MMA back in November 2023.
β Bellator
Although Bellator MMA used to be considered the #2 MMA organization in the United States, its purchase by PFL has certainly shifted the landscape of Mixed Martial Arts considerably. ESPN reported when the purchase went through that “Bellator will continue as a separate ‘reimagined’ brand in 2024. All Bellator fighters will be available to compete in PFL fight franchises.”
β ONE Championship
Based in Singapore, ONE Championship has a plethora of different martial arts disciplines on its shows, not just MMA.
ONE FC has become a powerhouse in the world of combat sports, with the likes of Demetrious Johnson, a former UFC Champion and considered one of the GOATS of the sport, making his way there back in 2018.
Although no reputable Ontario sportsbooks offer odds for ONE FC, it is certainly something to keep an eye on in the following year as the promotion continues to grow exponentially.
What Are Some Smart Tips For MMA Betting?
Betting on mixed martial arts is a very different prospect from betting on a sport such as boxing, as it combines a number of different fighting styles to showcase some of the most exciting combat sports on the planet.
β Having knowledge of a fighter’s strengths ahead of a match in the octagon is extremely important when deciding how to place your stake.
β Knowing a fighter’s background before placing a bet is a smart way to ensure that you’re getting the most for your money. You have to ask yourself questions like, “has this fighter fought in this weight class before? Does one of the fighters have a Brazilian Ju-Jitsu background, meaning they will have an advantage on the ground? What is the level of opponents that they have fought in the past?”
Asking these questions and ensuring that you can determine the answer is a fantastic way to ensure you’re getting ahead of the game before you’ve even decided to get into this type of sports betting.
How I Bet on MMA
Personally, I’ve found that styles do genuinely make fights. Looking back at some of the wagers I have put down, the best have been when I’ve gotten a really good grasp of the competitors in the cage beforehand.
Although MMA is based primarily on 4 different disciplines (Boxing, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Muay Thai Kickboxing), I like to figure out beforehand where a fighterβs inevitable weak point is, so you can map out in your head how you see the fight going.
There are of course anomalies to any sport, like when Matt Serra shockingly beat Georges St Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship.
I say “shockingly,β because although Serra had a very strong BJJ game that held him in good stead across his career, no one (and I genuinely mean no one) anticipated that he would be able to match the wrestling of GSP, who is easily considered one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport.
Still, do your research and don’t bet blindly, that rarely ever works out.
How to Read MMA Betting Lines
There are three different types of betting lines that you will need to be aware of, with these being fractional (British) odds, decimal (European) odds and the previously mentioned Moneyline (American) odds.
βοΈ The American system uses the minus sign to indicate a favorite and the plus sign to indicate an underdog.
βοΈ The “fractional” or British style of odds shows the ratio between the amount staked by the bookmakers and the bettor. For example, a line of 6/1 means the bookmaker’s stake is six times the amount the bettor has wagered. So if you win, you’d be making six times the amount of the wagered stake!
βοΈ The “decimal” or European odds depict the stake bettors win for every $1 they wagered.
Watch Out For These MMA Betting Mistakes
Did you know that there are some common mistakes that most bettors make when it comes to MMA betting?
Drawing upon my own experiences and of other bettors, I have identified the most common pitfalls when betting on MMA events. So, before you place your next bet, read on and learn from these MMA betting mistakes.
β Lack of Knowledge About Fighter Skill Sets
Not knowing the skillsets of the fighters you’re betting on is the primary mistake, as while you might be confident that the 11-0 fighter getting in the cage with an 8-5 opponent should steamroll them, the fighting styles of the two competitors may well give the advantage to the 8-5 opponent.
β Not Knowing MMA Rules
Another big betting mistake that people can make is simply not knowing the rules of MMA, as there is still a preconception amongst some people that mixed martial arts or cage fighting is just a barbaric free-for-all, which isn’t the case at all.
Although this isn’t something I’ve personally run into when betting, you can tell when someone doesn’t have any clue what theyβre watching and just thinks that MMA is boxing with lighter gloves. Don’t be that person!
β Completely Trusting Media Personalities
Trusting those who have fought in the octagon and had years of experience can be a double-edged sword.
Look at someone like a former UFC champ-champ and well-renowned member of the UFC commentary team in the modern day. You’d think their analysis would be a dead-cert when it came to predictionsβ¦but that’s not always the case.
Like other fighters and people in general, these personalities have biases regarding rivals, teammates and colleagues. I recommend bearing in mind that every analyst has a personal bias that might cloud their judgement.
β Betting Based on Personality or Fame
If you haven’t bet on MMA bouts before, this can be an easy trap to fall into.
If you think that knowing the name Conor McGregor means you’re in a position to bet on him, think again.
Yes, McGregor can be regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, having secured his own champ-champ status at Lightweight and Featherweight, but two straight losses against Dustin Poirier have meant that he is clearly not the fighter he once was.
If you’re looking at getting into betting on UFC and MMA fights, then make sure that you don’t get lured into the fool’s game of betting on personality or fame.
β Not Considering Injuries
You must ensure you’ve got a good grasp of the fighters competing and their status in recent injuries.
Fighters can sustain many different injuries that make a huge difference to how they compete, and major surgery can irreparably change how a competitor actually competes inside the cage or ring.
Although injuries are not always known publicly, it’s easy to find information on fighters through reputable news sites.
It is essential to get a grasp of a fighter’s history when it comes to time outside of fighting to establish what level they might be competing at.
β Completely Disregarding Underdogs
Only betting on favorites in fights and not considering the potential impact of an underdog is another way that bettors can ensure that they’ll probably lose their stake quickly.
This goes back to the advice about skill sets, as although a fighter might be world-class in one or two different areas, there are always going to be areas that they aren’t quite as strong in that an underdog opponent could potentially exploit and use to their advantage.
β Not Managing your Bankroll
This advice goes beyond MMA betting because if you do not manage your bankroll correctly and only bet what you can afford to lose, then that can be detrimental to your mental health and your pocket.
How to Bet on UFC Responsibly
Get ready to learn how to bet on UFC like a pro while keeping it safe and responsible! The key to successful UFC betting is to set personal limits and understand the risks involved.
Remember to only bet what you can afford to lose – that’s the golden rule of responsible UFC betting.
And to help you stay on track, plenty of resources are available, including ConnexOntario, to ensure you gamble responsibly.
I can confidently say that if you’re a true fan of MMA and UFC, then placing bets on the sport can definitely add to your experience.
The thrill of the fight is heightened when you have a stake in the outcome, and the potential to win back your bet and more can make it even more exciting.
If done responsibly, betting on UFC can be a fun and rewarding experience for fans of the sport. Just remember to always stay within your limits and enjoy the event to the fullest.
β MMA and UFC Betting FAQs
How can I place a bet on the UFC?
You can place a bet on UFC fights via an online sportsbook. You can pick one of the UFC betting Ontario sites I reviewed above. Click the “Link” button to be redirected to the official sportsbook and browse the available MMA/UFC betting markets.
Why can’t I bet on the UFC in Canada?
There was previously a ban on betting on UFC in Canada, but this was lifted in early 2023.
Is UFC betting still banned?
No, UFC betting is not banned.
Did Ontario ban UFC betting?
Yes, Ontario did ban UFC betting in December 2022, but the ban was lifted in January 2023 after the UFC took steps to address the concerns about integrity.
What is MMA?
Mixed Martial Arts is a sport that features two competitors in a particular weight class competing to declare the winner over a set number of rounds. MMA fighters can win a fight via KO/TKO, submission and/or decision (split or unanimous).
Can I bet on MMA in Ontario, Canada?
Bettors based in Ontario, Canada, are able to bet on Ultimate Fighting Championship/UFC events and other select MMA fights.
How do the odds work when betting on MMA?
How odds are presented, all depends on the individual sportsbook, as they can be presented in the decimal (European), Moneyline (American) and fractional (English) formats.
How do UFC odds work?
Again it is all dependent on which format the betting site is presenting its odds, be it decimal (European), Moneyline (American) or fractional (English).
How do you explain UFC betting odds?
The official UFC site and broadcasts for the Ultimate Fighting Championship present the odds for fights based on the Moneyline format. If a fighter has a + next to the number on their odds, they’re predicted to be the underdog for a fight, whereas the favourite for the bout will have a – next to the number on their odds.
Who offers the best UFC betting odds?
From our research, the three best sites for UFC betting in 2023 in Canada are BetVictor and BetMGM.
How do I know which fighter to bet on?
The best way to know which fighter to bet on in any given bout is to do thorough research beforehand on the records, level of injuries, success in the sport, overall stats, the level of competition that they have competed against and their range of skills across multiple combats and martial arts disciplines.
More Betting Guides Written By Our Experts
Jake is an experienced editor-in-chief with over 10 years of expertise in covering Combat Sports, Gaming, and Pro Wrestling, specializing in MMA and Boxing. He has contributed to various publications and has extensive knowledge of mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, and gaming.