Understanding UFC Betting Odds: A Beginner Friendly Guide

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.

About the author: Picks Nation

WebGuy Josh doing web guy things.