With UFC betting now accessible in Colorado, it is anticipated that the popularity of betting on the UFC will be just as high here as anywhere else in the US, given that this state is the birthplace of the UFC.

Experienced sports bettors often emphasize that placing bets on the UFC elevates the excitement within the octagon to a whole new level. Whether you decide to bet on every fight on the card or strategically choose the most captivating ones, it adds an extra layer of anticipation.

If you’re new to betting on UFC and want to dive into the thrilling experience, we’ve got you covered. Right here, we’ll provide all the information you need, starting with a list of the top CO sportsbooks where you can place your UFC bets.

Bet UFC at legal sports betting sites in Colorado

Best UFC betting apps

If you’re looking to place bets on the UFC using your phone in Colorado, these are the top apps for accessing UFC lines and odds.

1. DraftKings Sportsbook App

DraftKings, widely recognized as a Daily Fantasy Sports brand, has expanded its operations and is now a prominent sportsbook in multiple states. By signing up through our exclusive links, users can enjoy fantastic bonus benefits, such as a $50 bonus bet after making an initial deposit of $5 or more.

The DraftKings app offers a variety of UFC lines for you to explore.

• Lines for fighting (moneyline, total rounds, going the distance)
• Method of victory (knockout, submission, decision, etc)
• Round betting

Get your $50 bonus now and place your UFC bets in Colorado on DraftKings.

2. FanDuel Sportsbook App

A new dominant force in DFS has emerged as a leader in sports betting, receiving outstanding reviews. By signing up through our provided links, you will be eligible for a hassle-free initial bet of up to $1,000. The FanDuel app offers a wide range of UFC lines for you to explore.

• Fight lines
• Method of victory (knockout, submission, decision, etc)

In addition, it is worth mentioning FanDuel’s UFC boosts, which offer improved odds for specific fights or outcomes. To explore the complete selection of UFC boosts available on FanDuel, please visit their website.

• Get your first bet at FanDuel CO without any hassle.

How UFC betting works

Most Colorado sportsbooks offer basic MMA bets for UFC fights. These bets include predicting the winner of a fight, the method of victory, and the duration of the fight. Additionally, there may be more complex prop bets and in-fight betting options available.

Moneylines

Moneylines in combat sports function similarly to moneyline bets in other sports. Bookmakers establish odds for each fighter, taking into account their chances of winning. These odds are indicated by either a negative or positive number assigned to the fighter’s name. In this context, a negative number denotes the favored fighter, while a positive number signifies the underdog.

The decision of selecting the winning fighter and placing your bet at the current odds is in your hands. For instance, during the UFC 229 match between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, most sportsbooks displayed the moneyline odds as Nurmagomedov -170 and McGregor +140.

To put it differently, if you had wagered $170 on Nurmagomedov, you would have earned a $100 profit along with getting your initial $170 back. On the other hand, betting $100 on McGregor would have resulted in a $140 profit in addition to getting your bet back, had McGregor emerged as the winner. Ultimately, Nurmagomedov secured victory through a fourth-round submission.

Total rounds

The concept of total rounds in boxing is similar to the over/under or totals in other sports. Bookmakers set a line indicating the expected number of rounds for a fight. Your bet is based on whether the actual number of rounds will exceed or fall below that predetermined number. The outcome of the fight is irrelevant; the only thing that matters is when the fight concludes.

Winning method

In Colorado, several sportsbooks offer the option to bet on the method of victory in MMA fights, which is exclusive to this sport. UFC fights can be won through knockout, submission, or judge’s decision. Regardless of the winner, you simply choose one of these three outcomes and place a bet based on the corresponding moneyline odds provided.

• Can the fight last till the end? A straightforward question with odds of Yes +110 or No -130.
• To bet on a fighter winning in a particular round means placing a wager on their victory during that specific round. For instance, you can place a bet on Amanda Nunes winning in Round 1 with odds of +130, in Round 2 with odds of +120, or in Round 3 with odds of +110.
• Fighter to win within specific rounds: This type of bet requires you to predict the exact round in which you believe the fight will conclude. For example, if you choose Round 1-2, you might receive odds of +120, while for Round 2-3, the odds might be +100.

Parlays

UFC events encompass various fights, collectively referred to as fight cards. Parlays, on the other hand, involve combining multiple basic UFC bets into a single wager. This can include betting on different fights or various lines within a single fight.

Parlays offer higher payouts compared to individual bets as they require successfully winning each bet within the parlay to receive any payout at all.

Live betting on UFC fights

In addition to conventional betting, select Colorado sportsbooks provide the option for live or in-fight betting on UFC matches. This exciting feature enables you to place a variety of bets that are adjusted in real-time as the fight progresses.

In late 2019, the UFC introduced its own in-fight betting offering known as UFC Event Center. This innovative platform enables participating sportsbooks to provide over 50 additional betting options during matches. These options encompass various aspects such as knockdowns, submissions, takedown attempts, and successful takedowns.

During UFC events, participating sportsbooks are supplied with real-time data by the UFC for the purpose of monitoring in-fight bets.

One of the most convenient methods to place bets on the UFC is by utilizing a smartphone or tablet, along with a Colorado sports betting app, enabling in-fight betting from anywhere within the state.

In-fight betting offers the opportunity to minimize risks and compensate for glaring pre-fight betting errors. Additionally, it enhances your involvement in a UFC event, transforming seemingly unimportant undercard fights into captivating moments while eagerly anticipating the main event.

Bet UFC on legal betting sites

In Colorado, it is legal to engage in sports betting. This implies that you have the option to place bets on UFC fights through licensed retail and online/mobile sportsbooks throughout the state.

Colorado sportsbooks that are legal and regulated, especially those collaborating with the UFC Event Center’s in-fight betting product, now have the ability to provide an extensive range of UFC betting options.

The reason behind this is that the UFC furnishes these operators with up-to-the-minute data prior to, during, and after UFC events. Having more data leads to an increase in betting markets and enhances the reliability of the outcomes for your bets.

Your best option for UFC betting lies with legal and regulated Colorado sportsbooks, as offshore and illegal sportsbooks cannot match their level of competition.

Furthermore, legal and regulated sportsbooks in Colorado offer enhanced customer service and ensure the security of your funds through state regulation. Additionally, they offer the same reliable and secure banking options that you use in your daily life for other purposes.

If you have been placing bets on the UFC through illegal offshore sportsbooks for a long time, it’s time to consider the superior, safer, and more reliable alternative provided by legal and regulated Colorado sportsbooks.

• Get your $50 bonus bet now and place your UFC bets at DraftKings in Colorado.
• Get ready to grab up to $1,000 effortlessly with your first bet at FanDuel Colorado, and use it to bet on UFC matches.

UFC betting tips

While UFC betting can offer an enjoyable experience, the thrill is greatly intensified when you emerge victorious. Although nothing compares to observing UFC fights and thoroughly comprehending the sport, these fundamental UFC betting tips can assist you in transitioning from mere speculation to making well-informed and calculated wagers.

1. Understanding the contenders: UFC fighters are categorized based on weight class, but it is crucial to acknowledge the numerous disparities between competitors. Enhance your knowledge by thoroughly assessing the fighters involved. Examine their injury records and whether they have undergone weight changes to meet the requirements for a particular bout. Additionally, analyze their fighting styles; scrutinize which styles prove effective against certain opponents and determine if a fighter possesses the necessary abilities to triumph over their upcoming adversary.
2. Consider a total rounds bet when analyzing the fighting style of the contenders. Does the fighter excel in defense and tend to go the distance frequently, or are they an aggressive fighter who either wins quickly or exhausts themselves fast? Typically, fights between two defensive experts tend to last for a considerable length of time. On the other hand, when two aggressive fighters confront each other, the fight might be over in less than a minute.
3. When making predictions, it’s important to take history into account. If you’re placing a bet on a fight, examining the fighters’ past performances can be helpful. Fighters who frequently go the distance are likely to end up with a judge’s decision. On the other hand, if both fighters have a track record of knockout wins, it’s unlikely that the fight will go the distance. Additionally, it’s worth considering the expertise of submission specialists, as UFC fighters often stick to their preferred fighting style.
4. Discover the martial art: Explore the realm of combat disciplines. In the world of UFC, fighters often specialize in one or two specific martial arts. By acquainting yourself with the various fighting styles employed by UFC fighters, you can identify which discipline tends to prevail over others. If you analyze the matchups closely, you will notice that most fights tend to unfold according to expectations, allowing you to accurately predict winners based solely on their chosen discipline.

The biggest UFC fights of all time

1. UFC 193 Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey: Nov. 14, 2015

In 2015, Ronda Rousey emerged as the ultimate star of the UFC. Not only did she maintain an impeccable undefeated record as a fighter, but she also utilized her free time to showcase her acting skills in a multitude of movies and TV shows.

During UFC 193, she demonstrated the immense potential of female fighters as her main event against Holly Holm attracted a staggering 56,000-plus audience to Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Rousey, with a moneyline of -900, was deemed a significant favorite over Holm, who had a moneyline of +600. Rousey displayed an aggressive approach initially, but Holm’s adeptness in southpaw boxing proved to be restraining. The second round mirrored the first until Holm successfully delivered a powerful straight left to Rousey’s chin, followed by a massive kick to the side of her neck. This stunning sequence resulted in Rousey’s first-ever defeat in the UFC, knocking her out and granting Holm the victory.

2. UFC 229 Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor: Oct. 6, 2018

Headlining UFC 229 in Las Vegas, Khabib Nurmagomedov, the undefeated UFC Lightweight Champion, risked his title and flawless record as he faced off against Conor McGregor, the former featherweight and lightweight champion. This highly anticipated matchup shattered records with an astonishing 2.4 million pay-per-view buys.

Despite McGregor’s rise as a prominent figure in professional fighting after his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Nurmagomedov remained the favored contender at -170 compared to McGregor’s +140. Throughout the match, Nurmagomedov demonstrated his dominance by throwing a greater number of strikes and landing significantly more. Ultimately, in the fourth round, Nurmagomedov secured victory by submitting McGregor with an over-the-chin rear-naked choke.

Immediately following the match, chaos ensued as Nurmagomedov made his way out of the octagon to confront McGregor’s cornerman. It was rumored that the cornerman had been hurling offensive racial remarks at Nurmagomedov.

In an attempt to escape, McGregor also made his way out of the ring, only to engage in a brawl with Nurmagomedov’s cornermen. As a consequence, both fighters were handed suspensions, with Nurmagomedov being fined a hefty sum of $500,000 and McGregor facing a penalty of $50,000.

3. UFC 202: Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor 2: Aug. 20, 2016

Immediately after the conclusion of the Diaz vs. McGregor rematch, the UFC promptly ranked it at the pinnacle of its list featuring the top 25 fights of all time.

UFC 202 made history with 1.65 million pay-per-view purchases, setting a new record at the time. The highly anticipated welterweight rematch between Diaz, the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 5 and former lightweight title contender, and McGregor, the UFC Featherweight Champion, lived up to the hype.

At UFC 196, Diaz had triumphed over McGregor by submitting him with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Nevertheless, the odds for their rematch were closely contested, with McGregor at -130 and Diaz at +100. This time, the fight lasted until the end, resulting in McGregor’s victory through a controversial majority judge’s decision. Both fighters displayed remarkable bravery, turning the match into an iconic moment in UFC history.

History of the UFC

The inception of the UFC took place on November 12, 1993, in Denver through an eight-man tournament. Competitors well-versed in different martial arts disciplines engaged in combat within an octagon-shaped cage, aiming to establish the ultimate superiority of one martial art. Royce Gracie, a skilled Brazilian jiujitsu master, emerged victorious that very night by defeating three adversaries, thus becoming the first-ever champion of the UFC.

The initial UFC events adhered to this format, maintaining an absence of weight classes or time limits, and minimal rules. However, over the course of the following seven years, gradual modifications were introduced, including the inclusion of weight classes, the implementation of rounds, and the introduction of judges’ decisions.

In 2000, the fighters began wearing gloves and a comprehensive set of unified MMA rules came into effect. This transformation rendered UFC fights more akin to regulated matches that blend elements of boxing, wrestling, and martial arts, as opposed to the unrestricted brawls they once were.

In 2001, Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta, executives at Station Casinos, acquired the UFC for a sum of $2 million. They appointed Dana White as president and established Zuffa, a sports promotion company, to oversee the operations. Over the course of 15 years, this team dedicated their efforts towards expanding the sport and enhancing the UFC brand by nurturing a succession of highly skilled UFC athletes through effective marketing and promotion strategies.

In July 2016, Endeavor (formerly known as William Morris Endeavor Entertainment) led a group that acquired Zuffa and the UFC for a remarkable $4.025 billion. This noteworthy acquisition stands as a tribute to the outstanding work of White and the Fertitta brothers in expanding and marketing the brand.

Once considered obscure and on the fringes of legality, the UFC and MMA fighting have remarkably risen to become the fastest-growing sport globally, firmly cementing their position among the most popular sports worldwide.

The UFC’s growth and rising popularity are consistently fueled by the immense popularity of several superstar fighters.

With over 500 events held worldwide, the UFC has established itself as a dominant force in the sports industry. Its marquee fights consistently attract record-breaking pay-per-view figures. Furthermore, the surge in popularity of legal UFC betting in various states has contributed to the growing interest in the sport.

Continued UFC growth

Over the past two decades, the sport of UFC and its popularity have experienced a tremendous surge. In January 2001, the Fertitta brothers established Zuffa, a sports promotion company, with the intention of acquiring the UFC, which they successfully accomplished for $2 million. Since then, Dana White has held the position of UFC president. However, in July 2016, a consortium led by Endeavor (previously known as William Morris Endeavor Entertainment) acquired Zuffa and the UFC for a staggering $4.025 billion.

Whenever the growth of the UFC is brought up, the focal point is always the staggering rise in value from $2 million to $4 billion. During the mid-2000s, the sport’s popularity surged to the extent that it surpassed both the NHL and NASCAR in terms of public interest. Being hailed as the world’s fastest-growing sport, it has now firmly cemented its position as one of the most beloved sports worldwide, largely due to the emergence of numerous superstar fighters who have captured the public’s imagination over the past decade.

Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey are both involved in this. On August 20, 2016, McGregor faced Nate Diaz at UFC 202, which attracted an unprecedented 1.65 million pay-per-view purchases. However, McGregor surpassed this record on October 6, 2018, when he fought against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, garnering a staggering 2.4 million pay-per-view buys.

In January 2020, McGregor went head-to-head against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, and this highly anticipated match garnered an impressive two million PPV buys. Despite McGregor’s swift victory over ‘Cowboy’ in a mere 40 seconds, it’s safe to say that very few, if any, were dissatisfied enough to request a refund.

The event held at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, on November 14, 2015, known as UFC 193 and featuring Rousey vs. Holly Holm, currently boasts the highest live attendance in UFC history with a staggering 56,214 spectators.

Despite the presence of other American fighting organizations such as Bellator MMA and various regional MMA associations that continue to host fights nationwide, none have managed to rival the UFC’s unrivaled popularity, solidifying its position as the top organization in MMA.