If you’re a fan of UFC or MMA and want to make fight night even more exciting, betting can be a great way to do that—as long as you do it responsibly. Whether you’re looking to support your favorite fighter or test your fight-picking skills, knowing the types of bets available is the first step.

In this blog post, we’ll break down three of the most popular ways to bet on UFC fights:

• ✅ Moneyline bets
• ✅ Prop bets
• ✅ Parlay bets

We’ll walk through each one using real-world examples and explain how they work—no complicated lingo, just simple, clear info.

🎯 What Is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline bet is the most basic and common type of bet in MMA. It’s as simple as choosing who you think will win the fight. That’s it.

Example:

Let’s say we’ve got:

• Islam Makhachev: -220
• Dustin Poirier: +180

Here’s how to read that:

• A -220 line on Makhachev means you’d need to bet $220 to win $100.
• A +180 line on Poirier means a $100 bet would win you $180.

It doesn’t matter how the fighter wins—KO, submission, or decision. As long as they win, your bet cashes.

When Should You Use Moneyline Bets?

• When you’re confident in a winner, regardless of method.
• When you want a straightforward way to bet.
• If you’re just starting out.

Moneyline betting is simple, reliable, and a great entry point for any MMA fan.

🧾 What Are Prop Bets?

Prop bets (short for proposition bets) let you go beyond just picking a winner. These bets are all about specific outcomes—like how a fighter will win, in which round, or even whether the fight will go the distance.

These bets can be riskier, but they also come with bigger payouts and more strategic possibilities.

Common UFC Prop Bets:

🥋 Method of Victory:

• Fighter to win by KO/TKO
• Fighter to win by submission
• Fighter to win by decision

🕒 Round Betting:

• Fighter to win in Round 1
• Fighter to win in Round 3
• Exact round outcomes

⏱️ Will the Fight Go the Distance?

• Yes = All rounds completed
• No = The fight ends early

🎯 Fighter + Method:

• Jon Jones to win by submission
• Volkanovski to win by decision

Example:

Imagine this bet:

Jon Jones to win by submission: +500

If you bet $100 and he wins exactly that way, you win $500 in profit. But if he wins by KO or decision? No payout—even though he won.

When Should You Use Prop Bets?

• When you have good insight into a fighter’s style.
• When the moneyline payout isn’t worth it.
• When you want a chance at higher returns.

Props are great when you think you know how a fight will play out—not just who will win.

💥 What Is a Parlay Bet?

A parlay bet lets you combine multiple picks into a single wager. To win a parlay, every single pick you include must win. If even one loses, the entire bet is lost.

But here’s why people love parlays: they offer huge payouts.

UFC Parlay Example:

You pick:

• Israel Adesanya to win (-180)
• Sean O’Malley to win by KO (+160)
• Gaethje vs. Fiziev NOT to go the distance (-110)

If you combine those into a parlay and bet $100, your payout could be $800 or more—depending on exact odds at the time.

When Should You Use Parlay Bets?

• When you’re confident in several outcomes.
• When you want to turn a small stake into a big win.
• When you want more excitement across multiple fights.

Just keep in mind: one wrong pick and it’s all over. Parlays are risky, so treat them as a fun challenge, not a strategy to rely on.

📊 Comparison Chart: UFC Bet Types

💡 Smart Betting Tips for UFC Fights

Whether you’re betting for fun or looking to build a system, here are a few key pointers to keep in mind:

🥋 Know the Styles

MMA is all about matchups. A powerful striker could struggle against a strong wrestler. Take time to understand how each fighter approaches the game.

📈 Use Recent Performances

Check recent fights to see how a fighter has been looking. Are they coming off a long layoff? Have they been knocked out recently? These details matter.

🧠 Don’t Chase Losses

If you lose a bet, don’t immediately try to win it back with a bigger risk. Stay calm, stick to your plan, and only bet what you can afford to lose.

🛍️ Shop for the Best Odds

Different sportsbooks offer slightly different lines. Getting better odds might seem small, but it adds up over time.

✅ Final Thoughts: Bet Like a Fight Fan

Betting on UFC fights can be a lot of fun—especially when you understand the types of bets available. Whether you’re backing a big favorite on the moneyline, predicting a shocking knockout in Round 2, or piecing together a four-leg parlay on a stacked card, the key is to bet smart and responsibly.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Moneyline bets are great for picking winners.
• Prop bets let you dive into how a fight unfolds.
• Parlay bets combine picks for bigger wins—but come with risk.

Want more UFC betting guides? Interested in breaking down upcoming matchups or building smarter parlay strategies?

Let us know—We’re here to help you enjoy the fight game even more.

If you’re a fan of UFC or MMA and want to dip your toes into the world of betting, one of the first things you need to understand is how odds work. Betting odds aren’t just random numbers—they tell you who’s favored, how much you could win, and what the sportsbooks think about a fight.

Whether you’re just curious about the numbers next to a fighter’s name or ready to place your first wager, this guide will walk you through all the different types of betting odds—American, Decimal, and Fractional—using UFC examples every step of the way.

🎲 What Do Betting Odds Mean?

At their core, odds serve two main purposes:

1. They reflect the probability of an outcome (who’s more likely to win).
2. They show you how much you stand to win if your bet is successful.

Let’s say there’s an upcoming matchup between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Depending on the sportsbook, you might see odds like this:

• Jon Jones: -160
• Tom Aspinall: +135

Or you might see:

• Jon Jones: 1.62
• Tom Aspinall: 2.35

These numbers all mean the same thing—just displayed in different formats.

🇺🇸 American Odds (Moneyline Odds)

This format is most common in the U.S. and is widely used in UFC betting.

• Favorites have a minus sign (-).
• Underdogs have a plus sign (+).

Example:

• Jon Jones -160 → You need to bet $160 to win $100.
• Tom Aspinall +135 → A $100 bet wins $135.

💡 Quick Tip:

• If it’s a negative number, it tells you how much you need to bet to win $100.
• If it’s positive, it tells you how much you’ll win on a $100 bet.

🌍 Decimal Odds

Popular in Europe, Canada, and Australia, decimal odds are actually the simplest to understand once you try them out.

Example:

• Jon Jones 1.62
• Tom Aspinall 2.35

To figure out your return, just multiply your bet by the decimal:

• $100 × 1.62 = $162 (your $100 stake + $62 profit)
• $100 × 2.35 = $235 (your $100 stake + $135 profit)

💡 Note: Decimal odds show total return, not just profit.

🏇 Fractional Odds

These are mostly used in the UK and Ireland and can look a bit intimidating at first.

Example:

• Jon Jones 8/13
• Tom Aspinall 27/20

This format tells you how much you’ll win compared to your stake.

• 8/13 = Bet $13 to win $8.
• 27/20 = Bet $20 to win $27.

💡 Quick Tip: Fractional odds show profit only, not total return.

📊 Odds Format Comparison (Same Fight, Different Views)

Here’s how the same UFC matchup would look across all odds formats:

So no matter where you’re betting or what format you’re more comfortable with, you’re seeing the same prediction—just written differently.

🧠 Why Odds Matter in UFC Betting

Odds give you insight into how a fight is expected to play out. But in MMA, where one punch or submission can flip the script instantly, upsets happen all the time.

• Short odds (like -300 or 1.33) = strong favorite, but low return.
• Long odds (like +500 or 6.00) = big underdog, but higher risk and reward.

Understanding these numbers helps you spot value, not just who’s “expected” to win.

💸 How to Use Odds in Your Betting Strategy

Odds are a key piece of the puzzle. Here are a few ways to apply them:

• Looking for value: A fighter may be an underdog on paper, but if their style matches up well (say, a submission artist vs. a striker with no takedown defense), those +300 odds could be worth a shot.
• Playing it safe: If you’re betting on favorites, make sure you’re not paying too high a price for minimal return. A -500 favorite might be too costly unless you’re combining picks.

🛑 A Word on Responsible Betting

It’s exciting to bet on UFC fights, especially when you understand the odds. But remember:

• No outcome is guaranteed.
• Never bet more than you’re comfortable losing.
• Betting should enhance the excitement—not cause stress.

Start small, focus on learning, and don’t chase losses.

🥊 Final Thoughts: Know the Odds, Enjoy the Fights

Now that you’ve got a grip on all three major types of betting odds—American, Decimal, and Fractional—you’re already ahead of the game. Odds are more than numbers; they’re tools that help you analyze fights, spot value, and make better decisions.

Whether you’re rooting for a champ like Jon Jones or hoping for a massive underdog upset, understanding the odds will make every UFC event more thrilling.