Betting on the UFC has grown in popularity as the sport has become a global phenomenon. Nothing gets fans and bettors excited like watching two highly skilled warriors face off in the octagon, and many UFC betting sites have capitalized on the popularity of the sport.
In this UFC betting guide, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about betting on the world’s biggest Mixed Martial Arts league. We’ll cover everything from UFC betting tips to UFC betting apps and compare the many sportsbooks that offer markets for UFC betting in Canada. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Best UFC Betting Sites & MMA Sportsbooks 2024
Best UFC Betting Sites in Canada
A Closer Look at the Top UFC Betting Sites
Let's take a closer look at the top UFC betting sites in Canada and see what they have to offer. From exciting features to competitive odds, we'll break down what makes these sites stand out and help you find the right one for your betting needs.
ShangriLa
A Rapidly Growing Operator with Big Bonuses and Tons of Payment Options.
🔎 About: ShangriLa is a sportsbook that launched in 2016 and has become a hugely popular option amongst Canadians. ShangriLa takes bets on dozens of different sports, including the UFC, so you can find some amazing UFC betting options here. They have some intriguing features and standout payment options for bettors.
👍 Likes:
- Bonus Offers
- A Lot of Payment Methods to Choose From
👎 Dislikes:
- No Mobile App for iPhone
- Curacao Licensing
🎖️ Features: Live Betting, Crypto Transactions, eSports Betting
💳 Deposit Methods: Credit/Debit, Cryptocurrency, Skrill, Neteller, Interac
Betsafe
A Longstanding Operator with Intriguing Features and a Deep Sportsbook.
🔎 About: Betsafe launched in 2006 and has managed to carve out a big slice of the Canadian market by offering fun features and a massive sportsbook. Betsafe covers nearly everything, so it is a great place to do your UFC betting online. The website has a clean layout that makes it present very well, and their features help ensure bettors will keep coming back for more.
👍 Likes:
- Live Streaming
- Tons of Sports Covered
👎 Dislikes:
- Lack of Bonuses
- Basic Payment Options
🎖️ Features: Mobile App, Live Streaming, Live Betting
💳 Deposit Methods: Visa/MasterCard, E-Wallets, Bank Transfer
Bodog
A Bookmaker That Has Been Around for Decades Due to Its Ability to Stay on the Cutting Edge.
🔎 About: Bodog is a sportsbook that has been around for more than 20 years, launching in 2000. Yet while it has a simple interface, don't let that fool you. Bodog has managed to stay popular for years due to its innovative offerings, array of payment methods accepted, and fun features. It is an operator with a deep sportsbook, so of course, you are going to find UFC betting odds here.
👍 Likes:
- Bonus Offer
- Tons of Payment Methods Accepted
👎 Dislikes:
- Simplistic Design
- Slow Payouts on Some Methods
🎖️ Features: Crypto Transactions, Prop Builder, Cash-Out
💳 Deposit Methods: Visa/MasterCard, Interac, Cryptocurrency, E-Wallets
BetRivers
A Modern Sportsbook with Standout Features and an Excellent Website Design
🔎 About: BetRivers arrived in Canada in 2022, roughly ten years after it was created in Chicago. This sportsbook has become one to watch in the industry, expanding every year with incredible results.
Bettors love the website’s appealing design and the countless sports betting markets, which include many UFC betting odds. This operator has become one of Canada’s most popular new additions.
👍 Likes:
- Sports Betting App
- iGaming Ontario Regulated
👎 Dislikes:
- Limited Payment Methods
- Could Improve Customer Service
🎖️ Features: SportZone Practice Feature, Live Betting, Bet Builder, Mobile App
💳 Deposit Methods: Credit/Debit, Interac, PayPal
Bet99
A rapidly expanding operator with excellent odds and a huge sportsbook
🔎 About: Bet99 is a major Canadian operator with a sleek, simplistic design that users will love, as well as a range of customer support options. Bettors will benefit from their deep sports coverage and interesting deposit options.
👍 Likes:
- Sleek Design
- iGaming Ontario Regulated
- Excellent Sports Coverage
👎 Dislikes:
- No Mobile App
🎖️ Features: Live Betting, Boosted Odds, Prop Bet Heavy
💳 Deposit Methods: Credit/Debit, Interac, PayPal, Crypto
Sports Interaction
An exciting Canadian sportsbook with plenty of engaging features to enjoy.
🔎 About: Sports Interaction has been operating since 1997 and has become a well-established sportsbook in the Canadian market. This operator has a lot to offer bettors, from a high-quality mobile app to some of the best UFC betting odds and markets around. It is an operator that brings fun features to a sleekly designed website, making it a standout for bettors of all kinds.
👍 Likes:
- Mobile App
- iGaming Ontario Regulated
- Fun Features
👎 Dislikes:
- Doesn't support crypto payments
- Mobile app avaiable only in Ontario
🎖️ Features: Pinata Pick, Live Betting, Insights, Odds Boosts
💳 Deposit Methods: Visa/MasterCard, iDepit, Interac, MuchBetter
UFC Betting Canada: Top Sportsbooks Compared
Sportsbook | Banking Options | Odds | Live Betting | App | Customer Support |
10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
10/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | 6/10 | |
9/10 | 10/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 9/10 | |
10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
8/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | 9/10 | |
10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
8/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
8/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
What to Look for in a UFC Betting Site?
We’ve shown you some of the many sites that provide odds for betting on the UFC. Bettors all across the world love watching their favorite fighters square up, and there are many different ways to bet on the sport. However, not all UFC betting sites are created equal. Certain ones stand out to bettors among the many options by differentiating themselves from the pack.
As a user, there are several things you need to do before you start betting on the UFC. When you find a site, always check its legality and license. Browse the payment options and other aspects of the sportsbook to see how they stack up. But there are two key components that should determine whether a sportsbook is the best UFC betting site available or not. These two things are the UFC markets/betting types and the features of the sportsbook.
UFC Betting Markets & Betting Types
Markets and betting types are the different ways of betting on the UFC that a sportsbook will offer. These are the individual or multiple outcomes bettors are picking to occur or not occur. Let’s look at some of the key markets for UFC betting
- Outright Winner: This market is based on who comes out of the fight as a winner. How they win doesn't matter, only if they win.
- Over/Under Rounds: This market is based on how many rounds the fight lasts, with a line set and bettors predicting whether the fight goes over or under that line.
👉 Learn more about the Over/Under market - Method of Win: This market is based on how the fight will end. Bettors can pick knockout, submission, or decision.
- Props: Props are outcomes within the fight. Popular UFC props include a fighter to go the distance, a fighter to knock out another fighter in a specific round, and more.
- Futures: Future bets are long-term bets. A common future bet would be who will be the light heavyweight champion at the end of 2023.
- Single Bets: A single bet is a bet on just one outcome. If that single outcome occurs, the bet cashes.
- Parlay Bets: Parlay bets are when multiple outcomes are brought into one bet. Each outcome needs to occur for the bet to cash.
UFC Betting Features
Features are the engrained components of a sportsbook that dictate what the user can and can’t do on the website. Here are some UFC betting features it is important for operators to provide.
- Live Streaming: Live Streaming is a feature that allows you to watch events directly on the website. There aren't many best UFC streaming sites because most fights are pay-per-view.
- Live Betting: Live Betting is a feature/type of bet that allows bettors to bet on events that are underway, with odds changing as the event tilts in different ways. For UFC, you can bet as the fight develops.
- Boosted Odds: Boosted Odds are when a sportsbook takes certain odds or markets and changes them to be more favorable to the bettor. For UFC betting, a sportsbook can boost the likelihood that one fighter will win.
- UFC Bet Builder: Bet Builder is a feature that allows bettors to make their own parlays, including same-event parlays. Bettors can place UFC same-fight parlays like a fighter to win by knockout and win in the third round.
- Cash Out: Cash Out is when bettors can choose to exit a bet before the bet finishes. They can exit at a win or loss, depending on how it is performing. It is a great part of a live betting experience.
UFC Betting Odds
Odds are the numbers that define betting. They show bettors how much they stand to make from their bets and also what the experts think the likelihood of each outcome will be. Learning to understand the odds is incredibly important.
The most common type of odds that Canadian bettors will see is American. American odds are displayed as a + or - and represent how much bettors will make from a $100 bet or how much they'd need to bet to make $100.
"+" indicates how much bettors would get in profit if they bet $100. If a line is +200, then a $100 bet would earn you $200 in profit, with your original $100 returned.
"-" shows bettors how much they need to bet to receive a $100 profit. If something is -200, bettors would need to bet $200 to receive $100 back in return.
One important thing to keep in mind about UFC betting odds is that the heavy favorites are very consistent in this sport. Odds at -400 and -900 have had a 88-93% win rate since 2013. In this sport, the favorite often dominates.
Another thing to consider is that all UFC betting sites have their own odds. If you are confident in one fighter winning their bout or really like a certain outcome to occur, browse the different odds from operators.
Each will have different lines. One of the best ways to bet on UFC fights is to find the best possible line on the outcome you believe will occur.
UFC Betting Apps
Betting apps have become increasingly popular in recent years as mobile betting has taken over the world of gambling. One of our biggest UFC betting tips is to try out mobile operators. There is a lot of fun to be had on a mobile app, as it allows bettors to take their enjoyment of UFC betting with them wherever they bring their phone.
Typically, UFC betting apps will have essentially the same features that a desktop site does but be condensed to better fit a smartphone. They are downloadable from either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Some of the features that great UFC betting apps should have are live streaming, live betting, and fun additional options like a bet builder or boosted odds.
Bettors should seek out apps that look good and functions well on their phone, with limited load times and a seamless user experience.
There are many different UFC betting apps available to Canadians. Let’s look at some of the top options for mobile UFC betting right now.
Best UFC Betting Apps 🥇
Draftkings – An appealing app with a smooth interface and fun features like their same-game parlay option, which is ideal for UFC betting.
Fanduel – A sleek app with a pitch-perfect user experience and some unique aspects, including a Daily Fantasy feature available outside of Ontario.
BetMGM – This new addition is one of the best UFC betting apps due to its interface, boosted odds, and live streaming options.
Pointsbet – Coming to Canadians by way of Australia, the PointsBet app has excellent odds and a unique way of betting called PointsBetting.
How to Bet on UFC Fights in Canada?
We’ve given you a breakdown of what you should look for in UFC betting sites, and you’re probably feeling ready to start your betting. Before you do that, there are several steps you need to take.
The first thing bettors need to do is pick their website. We’ve shown you many of the top bookmakers for UFC betting in Canada. These are all regulated bookmakers that are legal to use under Canadian law. What will define the one that stands out to you most is your own individual preference.
Each bookmaker brings something different to the table that bettors will enjoy. Some have better promotions, some have better odds, and some have better features. Another thing to keep in mind is that once you have picked your operator, you are going to have to go through the sign-up process and select a welcome bonus, which is a promo specific to new users.
Once you’ve signed up and deposited with your regulated bookmaker, you will be able to browse their UFC betting options. You can see different fights and markets. Start with a simple market like outright winner if you are inexperienced in betting, as it is more straightforward. But as you become more experienced, branch out and enjoy all that the best UFC betting site options have to offer.
UFC Betting Strategy
Building a UFC betting strategy will depend on you and your risk level. There are certain things bettors should do when UFC betting that will help them see better results. Below are some UFC betting tips to help you secure a payday betting on the next major UFC fight.
- Shop for Odds: If you really like a fighter to win their next bout, browse the different odds on regulated bookmakers to find the ones most favorable to you.
- Don’t Consistently Bet the Heavy Underdog: As we've told you, in UFC fights, the heavy favorite tends to dominate. Bettors chasing big payouts by always betting on the big underdog will find themselves losing money fast.
- Compare and Contrast Styles: The UFC is a sport of style. Each fighter has different styles and strategies, whether they are a standup striker or ground-and-pound grappling expert. Knowing how fighters perform against different styles is important.
- Read Up on Every Bout: The UFC is hugely popular, so there is a lot of data out there on every fight. Do your research, learn how fighters are performing, about injuries, and recent history. This will help you make the most informed decision possible.
Banking Options at UFC Betting Sites
Here are the payment methods available at the top UFC betting sites.
Sportsbook | Credit Card | PayPal | Interac | Crypto |
Bodog | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
FanDuel | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
ShangriLa | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
DraftKings | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Sports Interaction | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
BetMGM | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Bet99 | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Betway | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Is Betting on UFC Fights Legal in Canada?
Before you ever place that bet on Francis Ngannou’s next knockout, you should be certain that UFC betting in Canada is legal. Luckily for bettors, this is the case. Betting online is legal across the country as long as bettors are using the right bookmakers. In Ontario, sports betting is regulated by the provincial government. Outside of Ontario, bettors are allowed to use offshore or tribal betting sites.
What this means is that bettors can one hundred percent legally place bets online, provided the bookmaker is licensed and regulated. Checking a sportsbook’s license is very important because it will show you whether it is safe and can be trusted. Bettors should always exercise caution.
In 2022, Canada removed restrictions that barred provinces from regulating their own gambling industries. They did this because they knew users were sports betting online with offshore sportsbooks anyways, and by giving provinces control of the industry, they could tax the revenue generated by sportsbooks and oversee the industry to make it safer. Ontario is the first provincial government to implement this policy, and it has fully legalized sports betting.
Now, bookmakers in Ontario can advertise, have seen tons of Ontario sign-ups, and are creating more revenue. The government ensures the safety and integrity of the industry, and users have a better betting experience. This is why there are so many new sportsbooks arriving in the province. Other provinces are following suit as well. This makes UFC betting in Canada safe and secure.
Is UFC Betting Legal in Ontario?
UFC betting has now been made legal once again in Ontario. This follows a temporary halt implemented on December 1, 2022, by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The suspension was triggered by a number of reported incidents including alleged insider betting from within the UFC, along with indications of irregular betting patterns from various jurisdictions. In response to these concerns, AGCO had directed all licensed gaming operators in Ontario to cease offering and taking bets on UFC events.
The reinstatement comes on the heels of the UFC's collaboration with U.S. Integrity, a firm that employs advanced technology to guard against fraudulent betting and corruption. Over the past few months, the AGCO has been vigilantly collaborating with regulated bodies and other stakeholders to remedy the previous issues.
FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about UFC betting.
What is round betting in UFC?
Round betting is a type of UFC bet based on a round. With round betting, bettors can pick which round they believe the fight will end in or get even more specific. They can pick which fighter will win in which round or how a fight will end in a specific round.
What if I Bet on a Fight That is a Draw?
Draws can happen in the UFC, although they are exceedingly rare. If you place a bet on a fighter to win a fight, and the fight is scored as a draw, unfortunately, you will have lost your bet. If a fight is a no-contest, the bet will be voided.
Where can I bet on UFC?
You can bet on UFC fights in nearly every sportsbook around. The UFC is a hugely popular sport, so most sportsbooks have odds for the big bouts. We've listed in this UFC betting guide some of the best UFC betting sites, but there are plenty of other options available.
What are the requirements to bet?
To bet on regulated bookmakers in Ontario, you must be 19 or older and have a valid address in the province. Many sportsbooks require a geo tracker to verify your location. This differs by province.
Why is UFC Betting so Popular?
UFC betting is incredibly popular because it is straightforward and fun. There isn’t a lot to keep track of, just two warriors facing off in an incredible competition of strength and skill.
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