UFC Betting in New York
The premier MMA brand in the world, the UFC, has attracted millions of fans, landed lucrative broadcasting deals and crossed over into the rarified air of mainstream sports attention. Now that sports betting is legalized in several US states, interest in betting on the UFC has surged as well.
Here in New York, legal sportsbooks are open for UFC odds. If you want to get in on UFC betting online from New York, here’s what you need to know about it. Make sure you’ve got the best available sports betting promo in NY before the next UFC event!
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How do UFC odds work?
A standard UFC betting line will list the matchups and show the odds for each fighter to win. There are additional bet types to consider that we’ll cover in a bit. For now, let’s stick to the basics and look at an average listing from the DraftKings Sportsbook app in NY.
- Dustin Poirier +160
- Khabib Nurmagomedov -200
For this fictitious lightweight showdown, Nurmagomedov is a pretty sizable favorite over Poirier. We can tell the favored side by the direction of the numbers: negative odds for favorites and positive for underdogs. If the range between the odds is close, oddsmakers see a tight matchup. For a big span, the fight projects as a paper mismatch.
It’s important to remember that the UFC betting odds won’t be exactly the same at each sportsbook. As such, you should always shop around to find the best price. For example, the Caesars NY app could have Nurmagomedov at odds of +190 to win, while the FanDuel NY app might have -170 on Poirier.
While that may not seem like much of a difference, it impacts the potential return on your wagers. To figure out how much you can expect back for winners, you can use some simple calculations. For negative odds, the number tells you how much you have to lay out for a chance to win $100 — i.e., $200 at odds of -200. When the number is positive, it’s equal to the amount you would get back for a winning $100 bet — i.e., $160 at +160.
When setting the lines, oddsmakers factor in everything you can think of, such as recent form and performance against common opponents. Odds for UFC fights typically come out well in advance of the event, which is a real bonus for handicapping purposes. You’ll have plenty of time to break down the matchup and shop around for the best prices on your selections.
UFC betting explained
The basic UFC bet is very straightforward: You simply pick which fighter you think will win, and that’s it. If you make the right call, your payout will be based on the odds at the time you placed the wager. There are several other ways to get in on the action, as well, each of which opens up some intrigue on UFC fight nights. Here’s a look at how the top bet types work.
Moneyline betting
For a moneyline bet, you are simply choosing which fighter you think will win. Odds will be listed on both sides of the matchup — negative for favorites and positive for dogs. Placing the bet is as simple as clicking on the odds for your choice, adding in your wager amount, verifying that everything is correct, and clicking submit.
- Michael Chandler +135
- Conor McGregor -165
Round betting
Betting on the rounds of the fight is another popular way to get in on the UFC action. There are several options to consider at New York online sportsbooks, including:
- Fight to go the distance: A simple yes/no wager on what you think will happen.
- Over/under for rounds: This works just like a totals bet in other sports.
- To win fight in specific round/range of rounds: Bet on the exact round or range of rounds when you think the fight will end.
Winning method
You can also make your bets on how you think the fight will end. Winning method bets will be included among the other props available for the individual fights. You can typically click each fight listing to find available options. Afterward, you’ll see the odds for both fighters and how they might win the match.
- Amanda Nunes KO -120
- Amanda Nunes submission -160
- Amanda Nunes decision -200
- Holly Holm KO +100
- Holly Holm submission +140
- Holly Holm decision +150
UFC parlay betting
From the early prelims through to the main event, there are a number of fights to consider at UFC events. If you think you have a good idea about several of them, you can string them all together into a parlay in hopes of greater returns. As an example, if you liked the following three fighters to win, you could add them to a single ticket.
- Jessica Andrade to win -225
- Stipe Miocic to win -165
- Frankie Edgar to win -125
- Total parlay odds +320
You can make a nice score with parlays, but remember that you have to be right on all selections to have a winning ticket. As such, parlays can be fun on a big fight night, but keep your expectations in check as the risk rises with each selection you add to the slip.
UFC live betting
Once the card gets underway, you can keep on betting right along as the fights happen. Live betting lets you wager in real time as the fighters go toe-to-toe. It’s a fast-moving way to wager that has grown to be incredibly popular.
Offerings will vary, but you’ll see things like updated odds on the fight outcome and whether it will end in the current round. If things break differently from what you were originally anticipating, you can hedge your bets or double down on your initial selection.
Sportsbook apps are the best way to try live betting. You can handle everything right from your device. The top sportsbooks make it easy to do so with slick platforms that make it super simple to bet.
For a quick example, here’s how to get started with the BetMGM New York app.
- Click one of our links and get your account set up. You’ll receive a welcome bonus for doing so.
- Enter your details and complete the registration process. Download the app directly from the sportsbook website and log in on mobile.
- Make your first deposit and get ready to bet on UFC fights.
You can get your account set and manage it from home without issue. To place bets, the app will verify your location with geolocation tracking, so you’ll need to be within state lines for bets to go through.
When does betting close for UFC fights?
As a general rule, you should plan on having your bets in before the fighters are being introduced. At some shops, you might be able to get bets in right up until the first bell, while others will cut off wagering once the fighters are actually in the ring. To avoid missing out, get your wagers in before that happens and, if you want, shift your focus to live betting.
How are UFC bets handled for a draw?
If a fight goes the distance, there’s a chance it’ll end as a draw once the judges’ scorecards are tallied up. When this happens, sportsbooks will treat any wagers on the fight outcome as pushes, as in a tie or no winner. For grading purposes, the sportsbook will treat such bets as void, with wagering amounts returned to bettors.
UFC betting rules for DQ
A disqualification could happen if things get out of hand in the octagon, such as a fighter disregarding referee instructions after multiple warnings. If this happens, the other side will be declared the winner and bets on that side will be graded as such. In the rare instance of a DQ happening between rounds, it will be as if the fight ended in the previous round.
The importance of sticking to legal UFC betting sites
Legal retail sports betting is available in NY with viable online and mobile options to explore nearby. However, the black market for gambling has not gone away. It’s still out there, but that doesn’t mean it’s a reasonable option for you to consider. The legal betting sites are the way to go. Here’s why.
When sportsbooks legally set up shop in a state, that means they’ve gone through a detailed application process. They’ve passed muster with state gambling regulators and have had to make a healthy investment just to open up. On the operations side, they have to guarantee the safety of customer funds.
If a problem happens to arise, the top shops have dedicated customer service teams there to help. To deposit and withdraw funds, you have several options to consider. Transactions will be processed quickly and swiftly, and you’ll be paid for any winning bets without issue.
All of the above does not apply to illegal offshore sites. You’re putting your funds at risk unnecessarily by playing there, and there have been plenty of sad stories to back that up. Unfortunately, those who get burned don’t have much in the way of recourse. If you stick to the legal and regulated shops, you don’t have to worry about that happening to you.
Sportsbook house rules for UFC
Each sportsbook has its own set of house rules in place that cover all of the ins and outs of UFC wagering. By consulting the rules, you can get a handle on how things like bet settlement and placement are handled, as well as how the book will treat various circumstances that may pop up. Here’s the basic overview of what you need to know.
- All bets will be live once the fight gets underway. In the event of a fighter pulling out prior to the match, all wagers will be voided and refunded.
- Settlement of wagers is based on official UFC data and statistics. This includes the actual outcome, number of rounds, etc.
- If a match is stopped in between rounds for any reason, the fight will be considered to have ended in the previous frame.
That covers the basics, but we encourage you to take the time to review the details at the books you play on. While you’ll find that many sportsbooks handle things the same way, there could be an occasional variance. If there’s not a dedicated section for house rules at the book, look through the help or FAQ sections or reach out to customer service for guidance.
Tips for UFC betting
Betting on the UFC can be fun and exciting, but it can take some time to get acclimated for those new to the sport. While there is a learning curve, those who put in the time can get comfortable pretty quickly. Here’s a handful of UFC betting tips you can use:
- Know your fighters: You’d be surprised by how many bettors rely on name recognition, or simply choose based on favorites and underdogs. It takes much more than that to find consistent winners, so study up.
- Consider recent form: Just like athletes in any other sport, fighters will go through ups and downs. Be sure to take the time to review how they’ve performed over the last three to five fights for a sense of the current state of affairs.
- Study common opponents: When reviewing the fighters, take a look to see if there has been any crossover in opponents. This can be a real treasure trove of insight as you examine where fighters have had a tough time and where they’ve excelled.
- Shop for lines: While many of the top shops will be in the same range on the odds front, they won’t all be identical. As such, shopping around can be to your benefit.
- Stay on top of fight news: As the fight approaches, be sure to review current news surrounding the fighters. Pay particularly close attention to any training insights, the weigh-in, or potential distractions they could be dealing with.
If you take the time to work those tips into your repertoire, you’ll be on the path toward success. Once you have the basics down, you can start to dig deeper by comparing fighting styles and various statistics from previous matchups to find additional clues.
Best places to watch the UFC in New York
A big night of UFC fight action can translate into a great time to go out and have some fun. There are a number of bars across the state that fit the bill. Here’s a trio of spots that you should consider visiting the next time a card is on tap.
Playwright Irish Pub
- Address: 27 W. 35th St., New York, NY
- Phone: 212-268-8868
- Hours: Monday to Wednesday, noon to 10 p.m.; Thursday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Just a few minutes on foot from the Empire State Building is this popular pub and eatery has lots of screens to catch the action.
JD’s Pub and Brew
- Address: 347 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY
- Phone: 845-454-0090
- Hours: Monday, 3:30 p.m. to midnight; Tuesday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, noon to midnight
- A friendly local hangout, you’ll find standard bar fare, a solid selection of brews and plenty of TVs to catch the fights.
The View Sports Bar and Restaurant
- Address: 4568 Octagon Road, Tully, NY
- Phone: 315-810-4180
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.; closed on Monday
- One of the top sports bars in the Finger Lakes region, this venue offers a great selection of food and beverages.
3 most controversial fights in UFC history
Through the years, there have been a number of jaw-dropping moments in the octagon that kept everyone talking. There have also been lots of fights that have ended in controversy once the judges got involved. Here’s a look back at three of the more controversial decision victories in UFC history:
UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes
The dominant Jon Jones got a run for his money in a light-heavyweight title defense against Dominick Reyes. The heavily favored champ won it on the scorecards in the end, but scores of fans saw things differently.
UFC 167: St-Pierre vs. Hendricks
Georges St-Pierre is a legendary figure in MMA history. During his run of dominance, he narrowly escaped with a split decision win over Johny Hendricks. For many observers, the big underdog appeared to do enough to snag the victory.
UFC 112: Penn vs. Edgar
This time, it was a decision in favor of the underdog that shocked the world. Frankie Edgar wasn’t being given much of a chance in a lightweight title bout with B.J. Penn, but the scorecards called him the unanimous winner in a closely fought matchup.
Quick history of the UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship formed in 1993 with an eye toward deciding which fighting style was best. The inaugural event was an eight-man tournament with no weight classes in which Brazilian legend Royce Gracie came out on top.
The lack of classes and lax rules led to criticism and backlash for the upstart promotion, but the UFC plowed ahead. In 2001, it was purchased by the Fertitta brothers for $2 million. Dana White was installed as president, and the sport’s meteoric rise from a niche offering into a legit attraction began soon thereafter.
The initial investment by the Fertittas would pay off handsomely. In 2016, a group led by Endeavor ponied up more than $4 billion to acquire the company. UFC continues to grow exponentially. It’s latest broadcasting deal is with ESPN, and there’s coverage across the network’s family of channels.
Looking forward, UFC fights have grown from being a curiosity into events that attract mainstream attention. There are no signs that the upward trajectory will be altering course anytime soon. On the betting front, UFC is an attraction for sportsbooks. The top events bring in tons of action, and that will only continue as additional states come online with legalization.