Quick Facts About UFC Betting in Australia
- UFC betting allows bettors in Australia to wager on a variety of Mixed Martial Arts events.
- It’s a popular option across many Australian sportsbooks.
- Leading sportsbooks for UFC betting in Australia include PlayUp, Picklebet, bet365, and Betr.
- Top markets in Australia include match betting and method of victory wagers.
What Is UFC Betting? – UFC Betting in Australia Explained
UFC betting revolves around wagering on mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts organised by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This involves betting on the outcomes of fights in the Octagon, where top MMA athletes compete in intense matchups. With MMA being a widely followed sport in Australia, UFC betting has become a popular activity among sports bettors.
In Australian sportsbooks, UFC odds are typically presented in formats like decimal, fractional, or American, just as in
rugby betting. Each flight offers a variety of betting markets, such as match betting and method-of-victory bets, which involve betting on how the fight ends.
Bettors can also wager on fighters across different weight divisions in the UFC, including Flyweight, Bantamweight and Women’s Flyweight.
Pros and Cons of UFC Betting in Australia
After betting on numerous UFC events, I’ve gained firsthand experience with its ups and downs. Here’s what I’ve learned about the pros and cons:
Popular Betting Markets in UFC Betting
Just like
NBA betting
offers a range of markets, UFC betting provides numerous options. These markets cater to various strategies and levels of experience, making UFC betting interesting and diverse.
Here are the most popular UFC betting markets for Australian bettors:
Match Betting
This straightforward market lets you bet on who you think will win the fight. For instance, in a UFC Fight Night matchup like Kape vs. Almabayev, you simply choose the fighter you believe will come out on top.
Draws or no-contests are rare in UFC, which makes this market beginner-friendly and one of the most popular choices among Australian bettors.
Method of Victory
This market ups the ante by asking you to bet on not just the winner but how they’ll claim victory. Will it be by knockout (KO), submission, decision, or perhaps even a disqualification?
| Method of Victory |
Description
|
| By decision |
The fight goes the full three or five rounds, and judges’ scorecards determine the winner. |
| By submission |
A fighter forces their opponent to tap out using a submission hold. |
| By Knockout or Technical Knockout (KO/TKO) |
The fight ends when one fighter is knocked out or unable to defend themselves effectively. |
| By Disqualification (DQ) |
One fighter is disqualified for breaking the rules. |
Double Chance
This market offers a bit of flexibility. You bet on who will win and choose two possible methods of victory. For example, you could bet on Alex Pereira to win by Decision or Submission. If you know a fighter lacks knockout power, this market helps narrow your bet, improving your chances of success.
Total Rounds
Here, you bet on whether the fight will go over or under a specific number of rounds set by the sportsbook. For example, if the line is 1.5 rounds, you bet on whether the fight will end before or after halfway through the second round.
For example, if you bet on over 1.5 rounds and the fight ends three minutes into the second round, your bet wins. But if the fight ends one minute into the second round, your bet loses.
The Fight Goes the Distance
This market focuses on whether the fight will last the full three or five rounds and go to the judges’ scorecards. You can bet for or against the fight “going the distance.”
Betting Tips to Make the Most of Your UFC Wagering in Australia
It’s not just about wanting to bet on UFC; it’s about betting with strategy. While no strategy assures a win, these tips can help you make informed decisions and help you bet responsibly.
🏅 Choose licensed and reputable sportsbooks
📜 Check state legislation on UFC betting
Selection Criteria for the Best Sportsbooks for UFC Betting
Before curating my list of top sportsbooks for UFC betting, I carefully evaluated each site to ensure it met specific standards. These criteria are necessary for providing a safe betting experience for Australian bettors. Here they are:
Licensed in Australia
Regulation is non-negotiable when it comes to betting sites. All the sportsbooks on my list are fully licensed and regulated by recognised Australian gambling authorities.
This compliance ensures a safe betting environment and adherence to laws, including the prohibition of UFC betting in South Australia due to state-specific regulations.
Competitive Odds
Odds can make or break your betting experience. A sportsbook offering subpar odds leaves bettors at a disadvantage. That’s why I prioritised sites that provide competitive odds, ensuring Australian bettors get a fair deal for their wagers compared to other betting sites.
Diverse Betting Markets
Variety is the spice of life, and the same applies to UFC betting. Sportsbooks that offer various betting markets allow bettors to explore beyond just match betting, thereby giving them options.
Top Sportsbooks in Australia for UFC Betting
When I set out to find the best UFC betting sites in Australia, I focused on sportsbooks that truly impressed me. My top picks excel in offering competitive UFC odds, proper licensing, diverse payment options, and the convenience of betting on the go.
These sites include:
PlayUp – Offers Best Betting App for UFC Australia
PlayUp offers Aussie bettors the opportunity to wager on MMA, and I’ve found the site's odds quite competitive. For instance, during a UFC Open event featuring Ricky Simon vs. Charles Jourdain, the odds were 1.60 and 2.30, respectively. While the available markets were limited to Fight Winner, this simplicity makes it an excellent choice for beginners.
What sets PlayUp apart is its dedicated mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, which makes betting on the go convenient.
Moreover, it's licensed by the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission (NTRWC or the Commission).
PlayUp offers secure payment methods such as credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, BPAY, PayID, and even cash deposits via CashUp.
Picklebet – Covers Top MMA Events
During my review, Picklebet impressed me with its coverage of over 23 top UFC/MMA events. I placed a bet on a UFC Fight Night between Usman and Buckley, the odds stood at 1.50 and 2.25, which is competitive enough to make my shortlist.
Picklebet has a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android users. However, the site is fully optimised for mobile devices, ensuring a seamless experience. The sportsbook accepts payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, and PayID, which helps make transactions straightforward on the sportsbook.
Picklebet is duly licensed by the Northern Territory government.
Bet365 – Offers the Most Competitive Odds on UFC
bet365 is a notable choice for its competitive odds on UFC Fight Night events. I used the site's mobile app for this purpose, and I found its odds, like 2.30 for Cody Garbrandt vs. 1.62 for Raoni Barcelos, to be competitive.
During my review, I also explored multi-bet options on markets like To Fight Lines and Win Markets. Plus, if UFC betting isn’t allowed in your state, bet365 offers a wide range of other sports, like the UEFA Champions League, for which it is an official global partner.
Deposits are straightforward, with options like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, and bet365 Mastercard.
Like top sportsbooks for UFC wagering in Australia, the site is licensed by the Northern Territory Government.
Betr – Covers Numerous UFC Events
While reviewing Betr, I found over 25 UFC events available, each with at least one market. Though limited, the odds were competitive.
The Betr mobile app, available on iOS and Android, ensures smooth betting on the go.
Payment options include Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, Apple Pay, PayID, and BPay, giving bettors plenty of flexibility.
Licensed by the Northern Territory Racing Commission, Betr is a safe and reliable choice for Australian bettors aged 19 and over.
Draftstars – Create Contests on Other Favourite Sports
Draftstars, owned by PowerUp, offers something unique for fantasy sports fans. While it doesn’t support UFC betting directly, you can still create contests for top sports like AFL, NRL, and Golf.
If you already have a PowerUp account, you can use it on Draftstars without needing to register again.
Depositing is straightforward, with options like credit/debit cards, BPAY, and PayID.
With a dedicated app for both iOS and Android, Draftstars ensures a smooth experience for fantasy sports enthusiasts.
Conclusion – Bet on UFC in Australia on the Top Sportsbooks
The top sportsbooks for UFC betting in Australia include PlayUp, Picklebet, bet365, and Betr. These sites are licensed and secure and offer competitive odds alongside various payment methods.
For bettors who want something beyond UFC betting, Draftstars provides an opportunity to create contests on other sports.
No matter which sportsbook from our list you choose, you’ll have a reliable and seamless UFC betting experience. Click the banners on this page to get started with any of these top-rated sportsbooks in Australia.
UFC Betting in Australia FAQs
Gamble Responsibly
Playing at online sportsbooks, real money casinos, and sweepstakes sites should always be safe and enjoyable. Keep control of your activity by following
responsible gambling
guidelines such as:
Set a Budget:
Decide on a budget you’re comfortable with and stick to it. Once it’s gone, stop playing.
Don’t Chase Losses:
Trying to recover losses often leads to overspending.
Play with a Clear Head:
Avoid playing under the influence, or when angry, stressed, or tired.
Set Time Limits:
Take breaks and ensure gambling doesn’t cut into time with family or friends.
Know Your Stuff:
Learn the rules, bet types, odds, and payouts before playing to avoid mistakes.
Use Responsible Gambling Tools:
Make use of features like budget limits and self-exclusion.
If you or someone you know is struggling to gamble responsibly, these free, confidential resources can help:
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by
Nick Slade
as part of our fact-checking process.
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