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As the premier brand in the sport of MMA, the UFC has experienced a massive growth spurt since its inception back in 1993. The growth has kicked into overdrive in recent years. It’s safe to say that the rise of the UFC has been one of the biggest stories in the sporting world over the past decade.

Betting on the UFC is in the midst of its own surge. What was once the domain of Las Vegas and risky offshore operators is now within reach for many folks across the US. The legalization of sports betting in a number of states has opened the doors for scores of folks, many of whom are starting their own love affair with UFC.

Our betting guide details how to bet online, upcoming fights and UFC odds as well as the top betting apps with UFC lines.

Best UFC Betting Sites in the US

Those in legal sports betting states looking to get in on the action, we’ll cover everything you need to know right here. We’ll begin by taking a look at the top spots to place your bets.

Top UFC betting apps for 2021

The legal sports betting environment continues to take shape. A number of operators are battling for their piece of the pie in legalized states, but some are emerging as the leaders of the pack.

• DraftKings Sportsbook: The industry leader in the world of DFS is making huge strides in the sports betting industry. Users who sign up via our exclusive links get $50 free plus up to $1,000 in bonuses. Use DraftKings Sportsbook online in: VA, MI, NJ, PA, CO, IN, WV, NH, IA, IL, & TN
• FanDuel Sportsbook: FanDuel is another company that made its bones in DFS. They’re taking the sports betting world by storm as well with a user-friendly platform and enticing promos. Signing up for an account via our exclusive links gets you a risk-free bet up to $1,000. Use FanDuel Sportsbook online in: MI, NJ, PA, IN, WV, CO, TN, IA, IL & VA
• BetMGM Sportsbook: The mobile platform for gaming giant MGM Resorts International, BetMGM is making tons of headway in legal and regulated sports betting markets. Click on our exclusive links to create an account, and you’ll be rewarded with an up to $600 risk-free bet. Use BetMGM Sportsbook online in: VA, MI, NJ, CO, TN, WV, NV, PA, IN & IA

Each of these operators offers UFC betting among a wide array of other markets. You can keep it simple and just bet on fighters to win, or explore a wide range of prop betting choices. In addition, live betting opportunities are available on each, and mobile is a perfect complement to take advantage of all that’s offered.

How UFC betting works

The most basic UFC bet will look familiar to those who are experienced with the moneyline, but there are also several other bets that are unique to the sport.

Let’s take a look at the standard ways that you can bet on the UFC.

• Moneyline: A bet on which fighter will win outright. The favorite will be designated with negative odds, while the underdog’s will be positive, e.g., Khabib Nurmagomedov -155, Conor McGregor +135
• To go the distance: A wager on whether the fight will go the distance, e.g., Yes +120, No -140
• Over/under on total rounds: A bet on how far you think the fight will go, e.g., Over 2.5 Rounds +130; Under 2.5, Rounds -110
• To win in specific round: A wager on a fighter to win in a specific round, such as Jose Aldo to win in Round 1 +140, Round 2 +120, Round 3 +110
• To win in range of rounds: A bet in which you’re trying to pinpoint in which round the fight will end, e.g., Round 1-2 +130, Round 2-3 +110
• Winning methods: A wager on how the fight will end, e.g., Knockout +140, Submission +120, Stoppage +150, Decision +110

How to bet the UFC live online

The betting doesn’t stop once the bell rings in UFC. Live online sports betting affords users the opportunity to place wagers as the action unfolds in real time. Odds and markets move fast, but that only helps to enhance the appeal.

During a UFC fight, you’ll see a number of opportunities to take advantage of, such as how long the fight will last and updated moneyline odds for the outright winner based on what has happened so far.

Beyond being potentially profitable for those who have a good feel for momentum, live betting also allows you to hedge your bets. For example, let’s say that you dropped a wager on Jon Jones to win in advance of his upcoming fight.

After round one, Jones just doesn’t look like himself, and you wouldn’t be surprised if he wound up losing. You can mitigate the damage of your original wager by placing a new bet on his opponent. If the odds and stake are in range to your original wager, you’ve somewhat covered your position instead of just taking an outright loss.

To fully take advantage of all that live betting has to offer, a mobile sports betting app is the way to go. You can bet from your phone at any time during the fight as long as you’re in a legalized state.

There’s no need to be at a sportsbook or locked in front of your computer. You’ll be able to go out and enjoy fight night and know that you can quickly take advantage of opportunities as they arise throughout the card.

Is it legal to bet on the UFC?

It wasn’t too long ago that legally betting on the UFC online was a mere fantasy. Today, it’s a reality. You don’t need to take a trip to Vegas to get in on the action, nor do you have to take any unnecessary risks with an unregulated and risky offshore operator.

You can find all of the UFC betting action you need right from the comfort of your own home in legal sports betting states. The lines are just as good as what you’ll find in Sin City, and you’ll find many more wagering opportunities than you would find at an offshore operator.

The legalization of sports betting not only means that more folks have access to a safe means of wagering, but it also translates into better product offerings. That means there’s real customer service to deal with if any questions come up, a number of different ways to fund your account and awesome platforms that are a breeze to navigate around.

Perhaps most importantly, the legal sports betting environment provides users with real protection and regulation. Operators that have hit the ground running in the US market are well aware of what they need to do from a legal standpoint.

For sports bettors, that results in some extra peace of mind that allows them to focus on betting without worrying about legal gray areas. For more niche sports you can bet on at legal US sportsbooks, check our guide here:

Is UFC available for Daily Fantasy Sports players?

Sports betting isn’t the only way to get in on the action with UFC. DraftKings and FanDuel both offer DFS games that have proven to be quite popular with users.

There are a number of different ways to play daily fantasy sports, such as tournaments and 50/50s, which are all made available at numerous price points to fit any budget. On the tournament front, a big fight night can attract thousands of users gunning for some eye-popping prizes.

The object of the game is to pick a lineup of fighters from those scheduled to compete on the card. Each of the fighters has a salary attached — ranging from high for top stars to low for unknown commodities — and your final lineup will need to remain under the cap.

Fighters earn points based on how they perform, and scores are tallied up as the action unfolds. Once the final fight on the card is in the books, the highest scoring lineup wins. DFS is completely legal and safe to play in 40+ states. Outside of Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada and Washington, you’ll be good to go.

5 betting tips for MMA / UFC betting

There’s a learning curve for betting on any sport you may be unfamiliar with, but it’s far from insurmountable. When beginning with UFC, stick to the basics and work toward devising a strategy that fits your style. Here are five simple tips you can use to get the ball rolling.

1. Understand what the odds are telling you: Oddsmakers are quite good at what they do. There’s plenty of data behind the numbers they release to the public, so trust what they are telling you. For example, a big favorite indicates a skill gap that you simply have to factor into your decision. That said, don’t let that scare you off from betting on the underdog when you can justify it.
2. Know your fighters/styles: As you learn more about UFC, you’ll come to see that the fighters come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some are great grapplers, others are fantastic strikers and plenty excel in some areas and come up short in others. When breaking down a card, take some time to understand the styles of those involved to help spot any potential matchup advantages.
3. Go beyond career record: Fighters with stellar career records always look impressive at first glance, but don’t let that be the final word. Dig a bit deeper and take a look at how they built their record. What was the quality of their opponents? The same applies for those with poorer records, as they may be better than they appear if they gained a ton of seasoning against stout competition.
4. Study recent form: Just like athletes in all other sports, fighters trend up and down. Spend time examining how the fighters have fared in their last three fights, but make sure to go beyond the won-loss record. How long did the fights last? Has there been a significant gap since the last time they fought? Did they dominate opponents or escape with close victories?
5. Weight, travel and news: In advance of fights, public weigh-ins take place. While these may just seem like press events and part of the show, you need to pay attention. Fighters who are adding or cutting a good deal of weight can be impacted, so pay attention to major fluctuations. In addition, keep an eye on news surrounding the fight and consider the travel aspect. For example, is one fighter locked in while the other is making headlines with out-of-the-ring stuff? Is the fight taking place several time zones away from a fighter’s home base? Little nuggets such as these can make a big difference.

Once you have mastered the basics outlined above, you can begin spending more time on more detailed information such as fighter stats and dive even deeper into the matchups.

Getting up to speed on the UFC is nowhere near as intimidating as it may seem, and you’ll learn lots along the way to boot.

Top five fighters in UFC history

The UFC has a rich and storied history, and there have been a number of impressive fighters who have had lengthy careers inside the octagon. Picking the best of the best is no easy task.

However, there are five who have enjoyed lengthy careers and headlined numerous pay-per-view events along the way. These fighters not only sold tickets and racked up impressive buy rates for fight cards, but also collected hardware along the way.

1. Randy Couture: A six-time champion, Couture is one of the most legendary figures in UFC history. He held the heavyweight crown three times, the light heavyweight title twice, and also served as interim champ in the light heavyweight division. Couture’s all-time record in MMA is 19-11, with seven of his wins coming by knockout. He headlined 18 PPV events, competed in 16 title bouts, and made an estimated $3 million in his illustrious career.
2. Anderson Silva: Just behind Couture on the list of most PPV events headlined is Silva, who was in the main event at 17 UFC events. His career record in MMA stands at 34-10-1, with 24 of his victories coming by knockout. Silva is a former middleweight champion and holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days. He also set a record with 16 consecutive victories over that span. Silva earned over $8 million in the UFC.
3. Tito Ortiz: Ortiz was the UFC light heavyweight champion from 2000 to 2003. He received top billing at 16 PPV events, and holds a career MMA record of 20-12-2. Among his claims to fame is a trio of memorable fights versus Chuck Liddell, Ken Shamrock and Forrest Griffin in 2006. Ortiz earned over $4 million in his UFC career and has continued fighting with appearances for Bellator and Combate Americas.
4. Jon Jones: The current UFC light heavyweight champion, Jones is considered one of the best to have ever stepped inside the octagon. A career mark of 26-1-1 does nothing but bolster his case. Jones has headlined 15 UFC events, most recently with a unanimous decision over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. He continues to climb up the career earnings list with over $6 million thus far.
5. Georges St-Pierre: A pound-for-pound legend, St-Pierre won titles in both the middleweight and welterweight divisions during his time with UFC. He vacated his middleweight crown due to health issues. A career record of 26-2-1, main event status for 13 PPV events and career earnings of over $7 million are further testament to St-Pierre’s status as one of the best of all time.

Worst five fighters in UFC history

Let’s be clear: if you make it to the UFC, you’re doing something right in your fighting career. That said, there are some fighters who have records that leave a lot to be desired. Here’s a look at some of the worst won-loss records among those with more than 25 fights under their belt.

1. Jeremy Stephens: 15-16 record with one no contest over 32 fights.
2. Andrei Arlovski: 17-13 with one no contest over 31 fights.
3. Clay Guida: 15-13 record for 28 fights.
4. B.J. Penn: 12-13-2 over 27 fights.
5. Ross Pearson: 12-13 record with one no contest over 26 fights.

Stephens is third on the all-time list for most UFC fights. Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller are the current leaders with 34 fights apiece. Cerrone has a career mark of 23-11, while Miller is 20-13 with one no contest.

Most famous UFC fights of all time

There have been a ton of legendary fights inside the octagon during the 27-year history of UFC. Naturally, some of them have stood out as being the best of the bunch. Here’s a trio of UFC fights that quickly come up when the conversation turns to the most memorable and famous fights of all time.

• Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor: The record holder for UFC PPV buy rate, the hype for this UFC lightweight championship tilt was off the charts. The scene was UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip, and the event also set records for biggest live gate in MMA history. Nurmagomedov won the battle in round four via submission, taking home $2 million for his troubles. McGregor earned $3 million in defeat.
• Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm: Heading into this fight, Rousey was in the midst of her dominant run and expected to add another pelt on the wall. Things would turn out much differently. Holm shocked the world by defeating the heavily favored Rousey by knockout in round two. Rousey had successfully defended the UFC women’s bantamweight crown six times beforehand with relative ease, so the result was quite stunning.
• Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz: This was the second meeting of the two foes, and the interest level was off the charts. UFC 66 was held on Dec. 30, 2006, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The event produced the largest PPV buy rate to date for the UFC, but the number has since been surpassed several times. Liddell took down Ortiz by TKO in round three in one of the most memorable battles in UFC history.

How to stream UFC live for free

The biggest UFC cards are found on pay-per-view. You can purchase the broadcast from your cable or streaming provider, or head to a sports bar that’s broadcasting the fights.

ESPN has the broadcast rights for UFC. The majority of events will be found on ESPN+, a subscription-based channel that has a slew of UFC content. If you get the UFC Fight Pass via the UFC app, you’ll also be able to stream events on mobile.

Additionally, certain sportsbooks have streaming capabilities and provide live feeds of events. Consult your operator for the events you can stream via the sportsbook app.

History of UFC

The Ultimate Fighting Championship made its debut on Nov. 12, 1993, from the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver. The event aimed to answer the long-standing question of which fighting style was the best.

Initially attracting a niche following, the UFC continued a steady rise before exploding in popularity for good after the turn of the century. Along the way, there were a number of controversies and legal challenges surrounding the violence of the competitions.

UFC managed to weather the storm and is now one of the more popular sports in the land, as evidenced by its broadcast partnership with ESPN. Prior to joining forces with the gang in Bristol, UFC’s TV home was with the FOX Sports family of channels.

Dana White’s influence on the UFC brand

The UFC brand loved by so many could easily have found itself out of business at one time. By the end of 20th century, the UFC was struggling financially, and considered close to bankruptcy. Dana White, along with his business partners – the Fertitta brothers (Lorenzo and Frank III) – formed Zuffa LLC.

White’s investment of $2m within the acquisition package was considered a huge personal risk, but with his business expertise, White was able to justify it. In the early 2000s, following the UFC’s agreement to adopt rules set by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission, the UFC brand grew rapidly, and developed some extremely charismatic, PPV buyout-boosting talents.

Amongst them were Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell, who formed what many consider to be the UFC’s ‘breakout’ rivalry. Ken Shamrock, a former WWE King of the Ring winner, was also a popular figure of note. Shamrock’s bout with Tito Ortiz in November 2002 (at the Las Vegas-held UFC 40) rates as one of the most important in UFC’s entire history.

White’s determination to make the UFC brand as uncompromising as possible has been unrelenting. This was reflected in his reaction to the mass cancellation of sports events in early 2020, with White stating his intention to hold UFC 249 in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. His talk of hiring an island just to stage the event was met with particular incredulity and amazement from UFC fans, but in the end, the event was postponed.

Though not the headline of the original card, Ferguson and Gaethje went into UFC 249 as a fascinating, and very evenly-matched pair of opponents. They kept even the most astute of bettors guessing until the starting bell, and did not disappoint on the night.

Since the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship event in November 1993, the influence of MMA and the UFC brand has become nearly universal. It’s now a fixture of mainstream sports coverage and has spread into training gyms, fitness programs and huge monthly PPV events that command millions of viewers.

The legalization of sports betting in several US states, including Pennsylvania, is yet another lift that has boosted the profile of MMA — and the UFC in particular — to epic heights. Scroll down for our complete guide to betting on UFC online in PA, including the best apps, bonuses and UFC betting tips.

Best UFC betting sites in Pennsylvania

Top 3 UFC betting apps

Sports betting in Pennsylvania was legalized in 2017 and was first made available through a betting app in May 2019, when SugarHouse sportsbook went live. By the end of 2019, eight PA sportsbook apps were available. The menu has continued to grow from there.

Following an independent review in 2020, PlayPA listed the following PA-legal betting apps as the top three available to state residents:

1. DraftKings Sportsbook — $50 free, up to $1,000 bonuses

DraftKings is best known as one of the two biggest online fantasy sports providers.

Over the past several years, it has expanded into sports betting and now has online sportsbooks and apps in several states including PA.

Among the DraftKings app’s defining features is Flash Bet, which launched in summer 2019.

Winning in-game bets placed during a certain period on a particular event are paid out instantly.

The app provides live stats, and you can make new bets or review existing ones simultaneously.

2. FanDuel Sportsbook — up to $1,000 risk-free bet

FanDuel is the other “twin peak” of PA sports betting right now and has very competitive moneyline prices on UFC pay-per-view editions and other MMA events.

The app for iPhone or Android is noted for its slick interface, and the generous $1,000 free bet available to new users is excellent value.

The amount that would normally be lost under “risk-free bet” conditions is paid out as betting credit that can only be used on the FanDuel sportsbook or betting app. Any winning bets placed using the credit return only the winnings, without the stake.

The FanDuel sports betting app can be accessed in any state for download/depositing funds and used for betting in PA.

3. FOX Bet — up to $500 bonus

Proving that it can boast the same superlative quality provided by the other two main PA-legal sportsbooks, FOX Bet entered the market in May 2020.

Users of FOX Bet can get a bonus of up to $500, though a deposit is required to obtain this.

How to read UFC betting odds

Although bookmakers can occasionally come up with very specific win conditions, usually as part of a special promotion or odds boost, there are a number of standard UFC betting markets that are both popular and easy to negotiate.

Moneyline betting

This is a bet on one fighter to win by any means. In UFC fights, there will always be a favorite and an underdog. The odds in favor of a favorite are denoted by a figure lower than -100, which converts into an implied win probability of greater than 50.0%.

Meanwhile, the odds against an underdog show up as a figure greater than +100, for an implied probability of less than 50.0%. Using the moneyline odds for UFC 249’s main event (Ferguson vs. Gaethje) as an example, Tony Ferguson had a price of -175 in favor of his win (an implied probability of 63.6%), while Justin Gaethje was priced at +163 (an IP of 38.0%). Their respective payouts, from a $10 wager, would be as follows:

• Ferguson: $15.71 (profit: $5.71)
• Gaethje: $26.30 (profit: $16.30)

To ‘go the distance’

Going the distance means that the fight reaches the end of its allotted number of rounds without a clear winner by KO, TKO, submission or corner/doctor stoppage. The fight is then settled via judges’ decision.

For this market, a bettor usually backs “yes” or “no,” but there may be opportunities to back whether (if choosing “yes”) the decision will be split, majority or unanimous.

UFC round betting markets

Over/under 𝑥 rounds

UFC bouts last three to five rounds. In this market, bettors guess whether a fight will go more than a certain number of rounds. Bets on first-round knockouts, submissions or stoppages are particularly popular when outsiders have significant odds against them (+500 or greater)

Betting Apps For Ufc 246

To end in round 𝑥 / to end between rounds 𝑥 and y

Bettors can also back a fight to end in a specific round, or to end in a range of rounds. For example, in the latter market, bettors can instead state that the fight will end in either rounds 1-2, or between rounds 1-3. There may even be the possibility of backing the fight to end in an odd (1,3,5) or even-numbered (2,4) round.

Winning methods in UFC betting

Those placing a UFC wager can back a fight to end via a certain method. Though distinguished as different specific results on a fighter’s record, KO (knockout) and TKO (technical knockout) are treated the same in UFC wagering, unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

KO/TKO

In practice, fights decided by KO are ones that end emphatically, as the victor strikes with enough force to send the opponent crashing to the floor. In a situation where both combatants are standing, punching, kicking, elbow strikes or knee strikes are the only legitimate means of scoring a knockout.

Whether or not the downed opponent actually loses consciousness in the process, a clear incapacitation means that the result is a knockout.

A TKO is different in that the referee sees fit to stop the fight, while legitimate blows from the attacker are being dealt in such a way that potentially endangers the defending combatant’s health.

Practically speaking, a common cause of TKO results is when the fighters are grappling on the floor, and the attacking fighter penetrates the guard of the defender with quick, repeated blows that render the defending fighter unable to protect against the attacker.

KOs and TKOs are a particularly common win method for specialists of muay thai, boxing, kickboxing, savate, taekwondo and karate.

Submissions

To win by submission, the attacker must use a legitimate lock or hold and force the defender to voluntarily tap the floor or any part of the attacker’s body. This is informally known as a “tap out,” and is the signal used by the defender to show concession.

In addition to being traditionally favored by fighters with a background in Brazilian jiujitsu, submissions are a frequent win method for practitioners of wrestling, judo and Aikido.

Decision

Unless otherwise stated, each type of decision is treated as the same result in win method markets for UFC bouts. In spread betting, there may also be an opportunity to back one fighter to win by over/under a certain number of points.

A split decision (SD) sees two judges declare one fighter the winner, while another has the other fighter as the winner. A majority decision (MD) involves two judges declaring a clear winner while the other marks the fight as a draw.

Unsurprisingly, a unanimous decision (UD) sees all of the judges pick the same winner, or score the fight as a draw.

UFC live betting

PA-legal bookmakers can make it possible for users to place bets during the fight. The main perk of this is that odds can shorten or lengthen with a particularly telling blow or a cut, or even a points deduction.

Take, for instance, this hypothetical scenario, which shows just how easily prices — and potential payouts — can shift (or “evolve”) in live betting markets:

Conor McGregor (priced at +135) is challenging Khabib Nurmagomedov (-155) for the lightweight championship.

The first two rounds are evenly fought, but McGregor sustains a cut to his eye, which lengthens his odds to +270, and shortens Nurmagomedov’s win price to -120.

At the same time, “John” places a $10 “live bet” on McGregor to win the fight. McGregor’s cut is cleaned and stitched, and the fight goes the distance. However, Nurmagomedov loses a point for headbutting McGregor during a clinch in the final round.

Because the fight has been so close, this point deduction causes the odds to shift wildly, with McGregor immediately going from the +270 outsider to a -200 favorite.

“Paul” places a $10 bet on McGregor to win after the points deduction and price shift. The fight goes to a judges’ decision, and McGregor wins via SD by a single point.

As a result, John wins $37 ($27 profit), whereas Paul wins just $15 ($5 profit).

Parlay betting on UFC events

A parlay bet is one that has several stipulations that must be met for an enhanced potential payout. An example would be: “Ferguson to win via stoppage between rounds 4-5.” This would command far greater odds than simply “Ferguson to win.”

It should be noted that this differs from a multiple bet, where the bettor combines different results on the same slip, or the bookmaker does likewise as part of a special enhanced odds offer or “expert tips” feature.

Hedging bets on UFC events

In addition to benefiting from evolving odds, users can also hedge their bets during UFC events. In the main, “hedging” can refer to two methods, one of which is geared toward avoiding unnecessary loss, while the other is more about personal insurance.

To avoid loss, a bettor might back one sure favorite to win in fight no. 1, and use the profit gained to back a rank outsider in a later fight. At worst, the bettor merely breaks even at the end of the second fight if the bet loses.

Alternatively, users can hedge their bets by backing both combatants, but wagering different amounts to minimize potential loss. Take, for instance, the following scenario:

Ryan Spann is a massive -400 favorite (IP of 80%) to beat Sam Alvey (priced at +350).

“Jane” places the following wagers:

• $2 on Alvey to win (for $9 return — $7 potential profit)
• $6 on Spann to win (for $7.50 return — $1.50 potential profit)

If Alvey wins, Jane still makes a $1 profit, even after losing $6 on Spann. That $1 can be used as a wager on something a lot more speculative but far more potentially profitable (e.g. a parlay bet).

Alternatively, if Spann wins, Jane loses only $0.50 on backing Alvey, rather than losing $2 — as she would have done had she not hedged her bets.

Why bet UFC on legal betting sites

As sports betting is legal in many states now, the top betting apps — like FanDuel and DraftKings — allow anyone to bet directly from their phone during fights. Wagering can also be done from any state where the sportsbook app is available and legal, and the user need not necessarily be in PA while wagering.

Aside from offering the user real protection, through operating under regulated conditions, online and mobile sportsbooks also offer more UFC betting lines than the “offshore” sportsbooks.

This undeniably enhances the experience of wagering on UFC events in a multitude of ways, and with better customer service compared to offshore sportsbooks, it is no surprise that online and mobile betting is now the go-to method for PA residents.

DraftKings’ and FanDuel’s online sportsbooks and mobile apps also enable users to bet on MMA events under a different brand, not just UFC fights. Other popular MMA events are held by Bellator and Golden Boy Promotions (US region), KOTC (Canada), BAMMA and Cage Warriors (UK/Europe), and the pan-Asian ONE Championship.

UFC betting tips for beginners

While the aforementioned process of hedging bets is useful, looking beyond the moneyline odds is very important.

Look at form

While pre-fight favorites are considered likely to win for a reason, a younger underdog with a long streak of victories has a decent chance of scoring an upset. Look at their win/loss methods, and fighters with a high concentration of KOs, TKOs, submissions and decisions on their record can often prove lucrative, especially in multiples or parlays.

Fighting style analysis (offensive)

Though modern UFC requires fighters to be all-rounders, with sufficient skill in both standing and “ground” situations, they will often try to maximize their main strength — i.e. looking for an opportunity to fly in with a knee if coming from a muay thai background. That can help massively when looking to pick a specific win method.

Fighting style analysis (defensive)

However, a fighter’s ability to defend against contrasting styles is equally crucial. For instance, even the toughest of fighters can have a surprisingly low pain threshold, and this leaves them susceptible to a defeat via submission, especially if they are still extremely focused on striking over grappling.

UFC 1: A case study

The importance of a solid defense was memorably evident in the very first UFC event. On the night in question, Brazilian jiujitsu expert Royce Gracie triumphed in an eight-man tournament, beating boxer Art Jimmerson and savate expert Gerard Gordeau en-route. He won all of his fights via submission.

Though either Jimmerson or Gordeau could have scored a KO victory against Gracie with a single punch or (in Gordeau’s case) a well-timed kick, Gracie showed enough defensively to dodge the attempted blows. By contrast, Jimmerson and Gordeau (focused entirely on striking) could not defend against Gracie’s painful locks and holds.

Play UFC DFS

Along with using the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel for sports betting, you can also play “UFC DFS” (daily fantasy sports) to earn some potentially huge prizes.

After signing up to play UFC DFS, you will be prompted to select six fighters from a UFC card. Depending on the version, you can also nominate an MVP — your biggest certainty to win — with the points that fighter gains multiplied by a certain amount.

The catch is that you must select fighters without exceeding the salary cap, meaning that selecting a team entirely made up of division champions and top-three contenders is not possible.

Instead, you will need to analyze form, style and various other criteria when selecting lesser-picked fighters.

DFS sign-up bonuses at DraftKings and FanDuel

New users of DraftKings DFS contests can get $20 of free buy-in credit on their first deposit, with the real money prize pool available to PA residents. Meanwhile FanDuel offers a multitude of perks for DFS. These include:

• A $5 bonus on the first deposit or a $5 risk-free bet.
• $10 credit for referring a friend to FD.
• A risk-free bet up to $500 (as betting credit).
• Extra points for every $1 spent in entry fees.

Can I play UFC DFS outside PA?

That is entirely dependent on the other state’s laws, and UFC DFS contests with real money prizes may not be available US-wide, due to some contests requiring a buy-in from the user. However, current projections indicate that this will not always be the case, with hopes for full, US-wide availability by the end of 2022 still as relevant as ever.

Crucially, fantasy sports contests themselves are classified as “games of skill” by certain states that have not yet legalized sports wagering, and are therefore not subject to the same legislative restrictions currently faced by sportsbooks.

Most expensive prize purses in UFC history

Going into May 2020, these three bouts commanded the highest purses paid out to a fighter, regardless of the result.

• $3M — Ronda Rousey (UFC 207): Despite losing to Amanda Nunes via punches inside the very first minute, the charismatic Rousey’s return to the octagon in December 2016 was a huge draw.
• $3M — Conor McGregor (UFC 229): UFC 229 took place six months after McGregor had infamously vandalized a bus carrying opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov, prior to Nurmagomedov’s win versus Al Iaquinta in New York. The “bad blood” context guaranteed a huge PPV draw.
• $2.5M — Brock Lesnar (UFC 200): Held in July 2016 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, this event bookended nearly 15 years of the franchise’s majority ownership by Zuffa, prior to selling it to a group led by WWE-lMG.

The Fertitta brothers ended their days as UFC owners with a 12-fight card headlined by Amanda Nunes (who beat Miesha Tate in the first round). Despite the huge purse, Brock Lesnar’s bout with Mark Hunt was declared a no contest.

Notable MMA fighters from PA

Professional MMA records shown and statements made are correct as of May 2020.

Eddie Alvarez (from Philadelphia) — W30 (KO 17), L7, NC1

Formerly of the UFC, and currently active in the ONE Championship for MMA fighters, Alvarez is a one-time UFC lightweight champion. Making his UFC debut with a 25-3 record, Alvarez lost his debut with the franchise, via UD, against Donald Cerrone at UFC 178.

Alvarez fared better in his next three UFC appearances, with wins via UD (vs. Gilbert Melendez) and SD (vs. Anthony Pettis), before scoring his first knockout at a UFC event. The latter win came via TKO (punches) versus Rafael dos Anjos, and won him the lightweight title.

He held the title for just four months, losing to Conor McGregor at UFC 205 in November 2016. His last bout was a win (vs. Eduard Folayang) in the ONE Lightweight Grand-Prix semi-finals back in August 2019, though he withdrew from the tournament due to injury.

Josh Koscheck (from Waynesburg, PA) — W17 (KO 5), L11

Koscheck was the grand winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 1,” the inaugural edition of a televised talent-finding tournament, which was held back in April 2005. Koscheck made a winning UFC debut (vs. Pete Spratt at UFC Fight Night 1) and took his record to 15-5 over the following five years.

His only title shot resulted in a loss; Georges St-Pierre took a UD victory (for the UFC welterweight title) at UFC 124. Despite sustaining a devastating right-sided orbital bone injury during that bout, Koscheck responded with two wins, including a first-round knockout of Matt Hughes.

A string of six losses between May 2012 and February 2017 served to put an end to his career.

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Phil Davis (from Harrisburg, PA) — W21 (KO 6), L5, NC1

An NCAA wrestler at college and gold medalist in his senior year, Davis turned professional in 2008 and built up a 9-0 record over his first three years on the MMA circuit. His first defeat came in a UFC light-heavyweight title eliminator (vs. Rashad Evans via UD) in January 2012.

After three more wins, Davis suffered the same fate again, against Anthony Johnson at UFC 172. The mid-2010s would eventually prove bountiful, with Davis winning the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Championship in September 2015.

He followed that up with a win (vs. Liam McGeary) for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship in November 2016. However, Davis would defend the title for just eight months, losing it via split decision to Ryan Bader.

Since that defeat, Davis has won four of his last five Bellator bouts.

How to stream UFC live for free

Viewers can watch UFC events via their favorite sportsbook’s app. Each app will have a set of instructions on how to access streams of live events.