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In sports betting, it’s impossible not to talk about spreads.
One of the most popular forms of sports betting, the spread is a handicap that helps level the playing field for bettors.
Instead of betting a favorite on the moneyline with short odds or an underdog with long odds, you can bet on the spread, which is based on the winning/losing margin.
If the spread is 7.5 points in a football or basketball game, the winning team must win by at least eight points to cover. If the losing team loses by fewer than 7.5 points or wins outright, they cover.
And then there’s UFC. While the sport doesn’t have a tangible “scoreboard,” bettors can still wager on point spreads, even if it’s a little different than other American sports.
Where to Bet UFC
There are many sportsbook options for betting on the UFC.
Here are our recommended books for wagering on the next UFC fight, including UFC 310.
DraftKings UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Bet $5+, get $150 in bonus bets if first bet wins |
| Promo Code | N/A |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NH, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WY, WV |
| Offer Expires | Jan. 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Apple Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.5/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus |  |
FanDuel UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Bet $5+, get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass |
| Promo Code | N/A |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY |
| Offer Expires | Dec. 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Apple Store Score | 4.9/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.7/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus | |
BetMGM UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses |
| Promo Code | FORBES |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY |
| Offer Expires | Feb. 10, 2025 |
| Apple Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.3/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus | |
Caesars UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Bet $1, get 10 $100% profit boosts |
| Promo Code | FORBES1000 |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, PR, TN, VA, WV, WY |
| Offer Expires | 11:59 a.m. local time on Jan. 27, 2025 |
| Apple Store Score | 4.7/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.3/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 25, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus | |
Fanatics UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Get daily $100 no-sweat bet for 10 straight days |
| Promo Code | N/A |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | $1+, min. -500 odds |
| Availability | AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NY, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY |
| Offer Expires | Dec. 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Apple Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.4/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus | |
BetRivers UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Get $100-$500 in bonus bets if your first wager loses (depending on state) |
| Promo Code | SPORTS |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | Min. -200 odds |
| Availability | AZ, CO, DE, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV |
| Offer Expires | TBD |
| Apple Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.7/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus | |
Bet365 UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets OR get up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your first bet loses |
| Promo Code | FORBES (U.S.), FORBESCAN (Canada ex. Ontario) |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | Min. -500 odds |
| Availability | AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, PA, VA |
| Offer Expires | TBD |
| Apple Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.6/5 |
| Date Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
| Claim Bonus | |
ESPN BET UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Get up to $1,500 first bet reset & 30 free days of ESPN+ |
| Promo Code | N/A |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV |
| Apple Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.5/5 |
| Offer Expires | Feb. 10, 2025 |
| Last Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
Hard Rock Bet UFC
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Offer | Get $100 in bonus bets if your first wager loses |
| Promo Code | N/A |
| Requirements | New users only, 21+ and in eligible state |
| Eligible Bet Types | All bet types |
| Availability | AZ, FL, IL, IN, NJ, OH, TN, VA |
| Offer Expires | Dec. 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Apple Store Score | 4.9/5 |
| Google Play Store Score | 4.8/5 |
| Bet Now | 21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER |
| Last Verified | Nov. 26, 2024 |
What Are Point Spreads in UFC?
To understand how point spreads work in UFC, you first need to know how the UFC works.
In a standard UFC match, there are two fighters in the same weight class who face off in an octagon, with one fighter coming out on top.
The ways a fighter can win:
- Knockout: when a fighter causes another to lose consciousness
- Technical Knockout (TKO): when a referee or doctor ends the fight due to a fighter being unable to continue
- Decision: when a fight goes the distance and the three judges decide the winner. The fighter with the most points (determined by the judges) wins
- Submission: when one fighter places their opponent in a hold and the opponent “taps out” or loses consciousness
- DQ/Forfeit: when a fighter ends the contest early due to injury or another reason
While all of these outcomes are relevant for a spread bet, a decision is the most important.
If a fight goes to a decision, the judges determine the winner using their scorecards. Based on these points, the sportsbook determines the winner on the spread.
Each judge will pick a “winner” of the round (which gives that fighter 10 points), along with determining whether the “loser” of the round will get 7, 8 or 9 points.
At the end of the fight, each judge adds up their scoreboard to get a total score, for example 30-27 in a three-round fight and 50-45 in a five-rounder.
How Do You Bet Point Spreads in UFC?
Let’s use UFC 298 as an example. That card had Alexander Volkanovski versus Ilia Topuria as the headline fight. Volkanovski was a 5.5-point spread favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook at +120 odds, while Topuria was a 5.5-point underdog at -165.
That means that if the fight went to a decision, Volkanovski would’ve needed to win by six or more points on the decision to cover the spread. Topuria would’ve needed to lose by five or fewer points or win the match outright to cover the spread.
So if you bet Volkanovski and he won 143 to 142 via split decision, your bet wouldn’t hit because he didn’t win by the required amount of total points. But if he won 146-139, his spread bet would hit because he won by more than 5.5.
The scorecards of the three judges are added together to determine the total points.
Another thing to consider when betting UFC spreads is the number of rounds in each fight.
Most fights consist of three five-minute rounds, while championship fights and main events consist of five five-minute rounds. So if you’re beating the spread in an undercard fight, a fighter you bet on will only have three rounds to try to grow their lead on the scorecard, while a fighter in a main event would have five rounds.
Advantages of Point Spreads in UFC
The biggest reason you should bet the spread in UFC is if you feel there’s more value on the spread than on the moneyline.
The spread increases the payout on the favorite compared to the moneyline, which has shorter odds. It also makes the underdog more likely to hit since they don’t need to win the match to cover the spread.
That said, the underdog payout won’t be as big as the moneyline. We think the best time to bet on the spread is when you think an underdog can take the fight to a decision.
Additionally, keep an eye out for fights that have fighters with:
- Good cardio/stamina
- Subpar finishing skills
- Something on the line. If a fighter is defending his belt, then he might be more willing to go the distance instead of going for the knockout blow
Betting on the spread also comes with some risks.
There’s still a chance that your fighter gets knocked out or loses in a way other than a decision. Once it gets to a decision, there’s also a chance your fighter doesn’t cover due to the judges’ ruling.
Our advice: pick a smaller fight at a UFC event and bet the spread with 0.25 betting units. Watch the fight like you normally would, but see how betting the spread makes you feel or changes your viewing experience.
If it’s something you enjoy, consider bumping your bet up to 0.5 units for a fight higher up on the card
Sportsbooks With UFC Point Spreads
DraftKings Sportsbook is the only one of our recommended sportsbooks that offers spread betting on the UFC.
While other sportsbooks offer moneyline markets for UFC, DraftKings offers spread betting and wagers on the number of rounds.
When looking at spread betting for UFC, compare the spread payout to the moneyline payout.
DraftKings’ interface shows a fight’s spread, moneyline and total next to each other, allowing bettors to study all three simultaneously.
When betting the spread in the UFC (or any sport), research other odds for the fight to get an idea of what outcomes sportsbooks are expecting. That can help provide a framework for how the match might play out.
For example, if a fight is expected to last more rounds, the underdog may have a better chance of prevailing.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
