Mma Betting Usa
The fantasy league is made up of real-life mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters that bettors pick to form their own UFC fantasy draft team. Betting on fantasy UFC matches is a growing form of betting in the US. It has made many a bettor loads of cash prizes. It’s also easy, fun, and completely legal. MMA betting with odds on upcoming mixed martial arts bouts, including UFC. View all bookmaker MMA lines and get the best betting value with Oddschecker. Choosing the Best UFC Betting Site. Choosing MMA betting sites is similar to choosing a casino site. There are a number of things you have to look out for. Firstly, the online sportsbook has to be safe and secure. Secondly, it has top be regulated and offer top betting lines. Some of the important factors we look for in UFC sports betting USA include. Legal UFC Betting Legal UFC betting sites for US residents are more in demand now than ever. As MMA has started to increase in popularity, bookmakers both on land and online have taken notice. The relatively young sport is aired in more than 100 countries and has a rapidly increasing fan base. MMA Betting Strategy. Betting on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is absolutely exploding in popularity all over the world. As a relatively new sport to mainstream betting, MMA presents some unique opportunities for sharp bettors like you to make big profits. That is of course if you know what you’re doing. Unlike other major sports, MMA.
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With millions of dollars bet annually on the Ultimate Fighting Championship
(UFC), it’s no wonder you’re here looking to get into the real money betting
action. When it comes to betting on MMA fights online, you need to be selective
about where you choose to make wagers. Signing up with the wrong online betting
sites can not only be a headache, but it can be costly. In the chart above,
we’ve got an up-to-date list of the best UFC betting sites where you can wager on this upcoming fight card.
Top UFC/MMA Betting Sites
Bovada
With some of the best props and most up-to-date fight odds, Bovada has proven to be the ultimate source in the world of UFC betting sites. Featuring some of the most convenient sign up bonuses and rewards packages in the industry, this betting site keeps combat sports bettors coming back for more as the odds are actively changing and there is always something new to wager on.
BetOnline
With a pristine look and exceptional user accessibility, this site is a must for those looking to get action on the next big UFC fight card. With strong lines and an easy deposit/withdraw process, this market operates as well as many land-based sportsbooks due to its high functioning and performance. Additionally, the are also quicker to update prices and add new props than many of their contemporaries.
MyBookie.ag
One of the most trusted sports betting sites in the industry with an
impeccable track record for service, safety, and security is MyBookie.ag. While
all of that is great, it’s not the highlight of this online sportsbook. Two words:
massive bonuses. MyBookie.ag offers new and existing clients some of the most
substantial bonuses in the online gambling world. If you’re looking for one of
the best MMA betting sites offering crazy bonuses, take a look at MyBookie.ag.
BetNow
Talked about on the likes of ESPN, Forbes, Sports
Illustrated, and Fox Sports, BetNow is an incredible choice for
betting on the MMA and UFC events online. This online sportsbook offers incredible betting
flexibility, Bitcoin banking, live wagering, and the highest parlay payouts in
the industry! Mix all of that with their healthy 100% sign up bonus, and you’ve
got the recipe for an incredible online betting option.
Xbet
Known for its great use of parlays and in-fight wagering, Xbet has made a reputation of itself as a shop to always visit in the lead up to a MMA card. With its fast payouts, clean presentation, and easy to use fashion, it is no wonder why this market has exploded in popularity in recent years. They are also known for an outstanding customer service team and user-friendly promotions.
Why These UFC/MMA Betting Sites Are the Best
Something we take seriously here at GamblingSites.org is our review and
recommendation process. We take pride knowing you can confidently trust in our
recommendations. The list of top UFC betting sites is accurate, up to date, and
never misleading. Let’s take a quick look at what our rankings are NOT and what
they are.
What Our Recommended UFC Betting Sites Are NOT
- Our sites are not randomly selected from a Google search. Our review
process is a meticulous process. - No betting site can purchase or barter their way onto our recommended
list. - These recommended sites do not belong to our friends or peers. The only
way to get on the list is by offering the highest-quality service in the
industry. - MMA betting sites do not earn a permanent slot on our list. They must
continue to offer high-level service, or they will be removed and replaced.
The Traits the Top-Rated UFC Betting Sites Do Have
Availability of Bets on Main Card Fights, Preliminary Bouts, and Undercards
To be a top-tier option, the best UFC betting websites need to offer extensive
betting flexibility on all major fight cards. These betting options must include
numbered cards (UFC 246, 247, etc.), fight nights, and special UFC events.
Here’s what we want.
- Betting options on all UFC events
- The ability to bet on headlining fights, main card fights, preliminary
bouts, and smaller undercard fights - Freedom to bet on more than just fight winners, including access to
different types of bets to maximize our potential profit - Odds released early, giving us enough time to break down information and
make our decisions
Safe, Secure, and Trusted Sites
Trust, safety, and security are the cornerstones of top MMA betting sites.
Without these three elements, you might as well kiss your money and safety
goodbye. Betting on UFC online should not feel risky, dangerous, or make you
uncomfortable. Save these emotions for when you’re watching the actual fights.
When choosing our list of the best UFC betting sites, we take a deep dive
into these three topics. Specifically, we’re looking for the following
qualities.
- A track record showing no issues with customer safety or site security
- Proactive plans to identify and eliminate threats to your safety
- Teams dedicated to safety and site security
- Regular site-security audits conducted
Mobile Betting Capabilities
In a fast-paced world, we need fast-paced solutions for everything we do. The
ability to bet from home instead of going into the local sportsbooks was a
considerable move in the right direction. But the ultimate flexibility came when
UFC/MMA betting sites provided the ability to bet from your mobile phone or smart
device.
We insist that any of the UFC betting sites we recommend should offer
mobile betting options. Bu, the mere existence of the option is not enough. The
mobile betting platform needs to be fast, efficient, and easy to use. It should
also offer the same options that are available on the desktop platform. Yes,
it’s a tough task to pack all of that into a smaller screen, but we know it can
be done.
No more running home or driving to the casino to check UFC betting lines or
get your last-minute wagers in. Kick back, pop your phone open, and take care of
business without moving an inch.
UFC Betting Predictions
Want some help from the experts about picking winners? Typically, you’d have
to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to gain access to expert UFC picks.
We’re flipping the script on that one. GamblingSites.org offers our readers free
access to expert picks. Our team is comprised of proven winners who not only
understand the fight game but also understand the math behind betting and how to
find value. If you’re looking to pump up your bankroll and your bottom line
without all the work, check out these picks.
Popular Wagers Placed at UFC Betting Sites
New to the octagon? No worries. The first thing you need to learn about
MMA betting is
the different betting options you have available. Below, we’ll take a quick look
at the four most popular wagers available at the top UFC and MMA betting sites.
To-Win (Moneyline) Bets
The most popular bet in all of MMA is the
moneyline bet. In the simplest terms, this is a wager on who is going to win
the fight. Now, don’t expect to get paid the same dollar amount no matter who
you bet on. The more likely a fighter is to win, the less return you can expect
on a win. But, on the same token, if you correctly predict an underdog victory,
expect the skies to open up and start raining money.
Over/Under Bets
In other sports, this can be referred to as a
totals bet, but in the UFC, it’s an over/under wager. This is a bet on how
long you think a particular fight is going to go. You’ll see a line set at the
middle of the fight and another set half a round before the end of the fight.
You pick whether you think the fight will last longer or shorter than that line
and if you’re right, you win.
There are times you will see a similar bet offered known as the “go the
distance” bet. This is a bet on whether the fight will go to the judges for
decision or end before the closing bell. It’s very similar to the over/under bet
set at half a round before the end of the fight. But there are some differences
you will want to be aware of when placing this bet.
- If the fight ends in the last half of the final round of a three-round
fight, an over bet on 2 1/2 rounds will win, but a “go the distance” bet will
lose. - These wagers are very similar but can sometimes pay different amounts
based on how bets have come in. Use this to your advantage.
Method of Victory Bets
The method of victory wager is a popular one at the best UFC betting sites.
The premise is simple. Pick whether you think the fight will end in a TKO/KO,
submission, or go to decision. If you’re right, you win. You will see different
odds on each based on how the books think the fight will go. If it’s two
heavyweight knockout artists with no ground games, expect to see worse odds on
the knockout, but great odds on the submission or decision methods.
Depending on the top UFC betting sites you’re using, this bet may be attached
to a particular fighter. You may see TKO/KO Fighter 1 and TKO/KO Fighter 2 as
separate options. When this happens, you will not only need to choose the method
of victory, but you will need to pick a winner.
Prop Bets
One of the most fun categories of bets for any sport including MMA is
proposition bets. These are wagers on whether something will or will not
happen during a fight. Technically, method of victory wagers fall into this
category, but we felt they were big enough to warrant their own category.
Popular examples of UFC prop bets include:
- Will the fight go the distance?
- What round will the fight end?
- Will there be a draw?
- Will there be a point deduction in the bout?
UFC Odds and Past Results
It’s essential to stay up to speed on recent fights if you want to be a
successful UFC sports bettor. Knowing who is hot, who is coming off a big win or
loss, and what’s at stake for each fighter is critical. As there are so many UFC
fight cards these days, it can be a challenge to keep all the results in line.
To assist you, we’ve created a resource listing of the most recent UFC fight
winners. Feel free to bookmark or favorite this page as we automatically update
this after every fight card. It’s a great place to stay in the know and check
fight results.
UFC 255 Betting Odds
Previous UFC Event Results
UFC Event | Fighter #1 | Fighter #2 | Result | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
UFC 254 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | Justin Gaethje | Nurmagomedov – Submission | R2 1:34 |
Robert Whittaker | Jared Cannonier | Whittaker – Decision | R3 5:00 | |
Alexander Volkov | Walt Harris | Volkov – KO/TKO | R2 1:15 | |
UFC 253 | Isreal Adesanya | Paulo Costa | Adesanya – KO/TKO | R2 3:59 |
Dominick Reyes | Jan Blachowicz | Blachowicz – KO/TKO | R2 4:36 | |
Kai Kara-France | Brandon Royval | Royval – Submission | R2 0:48 | |
UFC 252 | Stipe Miocic | Daniel Cormier | Miocic – Decision | R5 5:00 |
Sean O’Malley | Marlon Vera | Vera – KO/TKO | R1 4:40 | |
Junior dos Santos | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | Rozenstruik – KO/TKO | R2 3:47 | |
UFC 251 | Kamaru Usman | Jorge Masvidal | Usman – Decision | R5 5:00 |
Alexander Volkanovski | Max Holloway | Volkanovski – Decision | R5 5:00 | |
Petr Yan | Jose Aldo | Yan – KO/TKO | R5 3:24 | |
UFC 250 | Amanda Nunes | Felicia Spencer | Nunes – Decision | R5 5:00 |
Raphael Assuncao | Cody Garbrandt | Garbrandt – KO/TKO | R2 4:59 | |
Aljamain Sterling | Cory Sandhagen | Sterling – Submission | R1 1:28 |
Get Started Betting on UFC Fights Online Now
Getting into the real money betting action on UFC fights is fast and simple
thanks to the top UFC betting sites. To get started, follow these three simple
steps and you’ll be making your first real money wager in minutes!
- Choose the best UFC betting site for you from the list at the top of
this page. - Click the link and create your free account.
- Make a deposit, choose the fight you want to bet, and click submit!
It’s really that easy. Good luck with your wagers!
FAQs for Betting on the UFC and MMA Online
Are MMA Betting Sites Safe to Use?
Yes! As long as you are choosing to bet with a reputable UFC
betting website, you will have a safe and secure experience. The best way to ensure
you’re using trusted UFC betting sites is to use the recommendations our team
has already vetted for you.
Can I Bet on Every UFC Fight Card Online?
If you’re wagering with best MMA betting sites, you will have the ability to
bet on every numbered card, fight night event, and special event. You’ll be able
to bet all fights on the main card and the preliminary card 100% of the time.
You will also have access to bet on the super-early prelim fights, but it’s
usually only with moneyline wagers.
How Do I Deposit and Withdraw Money at MMA Betting Sites?
You’ll have plenty of fast, efficient, and safe banking options when you use
the best UFC betting sites recommended here. Typically, you’ll be able to use a
credit or debit card, an e-wallet (like PayPal), money services (like Western
Union), cryptocurrencies, or direct bank transfers. The available banking
methods will depend on the site and your location.
Mixed martial arts continues to gain momentum throughout the USA and the world, with UFC fights and events being at the heart of it all. As the UFC fan base has grown tremendously, so too has interest in betting on UFC MMA fights.
USA UFC betting options have increased as the sports betting market in the US has expanded beyond offshore sportsbooks to also include domestic sportsbooks. Online, mobile and in-person betting are all options depending on where you place your bets, with online sportsbooks offering some of the best bonus offers.
Bovada is our top recommendation for betting on UFC fights and really any MMA events. In addition to a nice selection of bettig lines, they offer some great prop bets for quite a few of the fights. Their bonus offers are attractive and they accept Bitcoin, which is the easiest option for US bettors.
New players enjoy a 100% bonus up to $250 on their first deposit, as well as ongoing promotions that will definitely appeal to loyal players.
Top Rated USA Online Sportsbooks Offering UFC Betting Lines
Site Name | Current Bonus | U.S. | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 50% Max $250 | Review | |
2 | 50% Max $1,000 | Review | |
3 | 50% Max $1,000 | Review | |
4 | 50% Max $1,000 | Review | |
5 | 50% Max $500 | Review | |
6 | 100% Max $500 | Review |
Is Betting On UFC Fights Legal In The United States?
There are no US federal laws that prohibit placing bets on UFC fights, or any MMA events, via offshore sportsbooks that are operating legally outside of the United States. In addition, only Connecticut and the state of Washington have outlawed online gambling, regardless of the source.
With the repeal of PASPA in 2018, domestic sports betting has expanded across the US, providing additional state-regulated sportsbooks options for Americans seeking legally sanctioned options for betting on MMA fights.
Upcoming UFC Fights to Bet On
Here we've listed the upcoming UFC fights that are currently covered by most sportsbooks. Visit any of the UFC betting sites listed above to find the odds and betting lines for each fight.
Date: May 9th, 2020
Location: Jacksonville, Fl.
Main Event: Ferguson VS Gaethje
Date: May 13th, 2020
Location: Jacksonville, Fl.
Main Event: Smith vs. Teixeira
Date: May 16th, 2020
Location: Jacksonville, FL.
Main Event: Overeem vs. Harris
Popular UFC Betting Lines
Moneyline
There are two main types of bets that you can place on fighters in the UFC, and both of them are technically called moneylines. The first is the classic moneyline. For instance, let's say that you find a featherweight bout featuring Max Holloway and Jeremy Stephens in a rematch. Winning the first fight, Holloway opens up as a favorite with a line of -220, and Stephens opens up +200. This means that to win $100, you'd have to bet $220 on Holloway, while betting $100 on Stephens would win you $200 if he wins the fight.
That's the traditional moneyline. The second sort of moneyline is more like horse racing odds, whereby you might see the odds of Stephens open up at around 4:1 before potentially adjusting to 2:1, matching the other line, while Holloway may have a line more like 5:3. They're both considered moneyline bets, however, and they're the most common types of bets you're going to find within the UFC.
UFC Futures
For UFC futures, all you're really doing here is betting in advance on which fighters will win which fights. The benefit of betting on futures is that you're betting early and may be able to find friendlier lines before action forces the lines to adjust to an unfavorable position. For example, when Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey opened up, Holm was a huge underdog, like around 30:1, so people who bet on that received a huge payday.
People who waited until closer to the fight to bet on Holm found that the odds had adjusted to around 12:1, and in some precincts only 6:1, so the payday wasn't nearly as large. So keep this in mind when betting on fighters. Futures, which will primarily be moneylines, is all about betting on the outcome of fights early on rather than nearer the gate.
UFC Prop Bets
While prop bets aren't offered on a lot of UFC sites and will likely only be found on the larger sportsbooks, you can still make quite a few prop wagers that go beyond the main moneyline bet. For instance, you can bet on which round a fighter will win or lose, or how they win or lose: Knockout, TKO, decision, DQ, etc. Keep your eyes peeled when you sign up for a sportsbook and be on the lookout for props.
These bets are often a lot more expansive than the simple moneyline bets that you find on fighters, and this will allow you to get your feet a lot wetter in the pool of betting, particularly as it pertains to leveraging your bets out. UFC action is typically too short-lived and fast-paced for any real live betting options, though it's not outside the realm of possibility that you'll find some. But larger sportsbooks will have props sections where you can bet on various aspects of the fights.
Recognizing UFC and Not Just MMA
It might be tough as a gambler to separate the UFC from MMA, but keep in mind that this guide is only about the UFC. Now, when you get to a sportsbook, you're probably going to have to click on the 'MMA' tab to see the 'UFC' tab specifically, but once you get to this section you're going to find plenty to bet on. Yes, you can bet on all sorts of MMA from around the globe, but for this guide we're going to keep the focus on the UFC.
Our reasoning is pretty simplistic. If you need to research fighters, look at past fights, check out fighting styles, and read expert opinions on fighters and what they think about the odds, then the UFC is far and away the most popular MMA league on the planet. If you're dealing with lesser MMA leagues, like Japanese or European leagues, then you might not be able to find a lot of good information about the fights.
And without information, you're basically betting blind and may as well flip a coin. By sticking with UFC betting, you're going to be able to find out a ton of information about fighting styles, expert opinions, and other sorts of breakdowns on the fighters. This invaluable information can easily help you make winning bets.
Where to Go Bet on UFC Fights
So, we mentioned before in our legal breakdown that your best bet is to simply find an offshore site. Unless you live in a state like Nevada, you're going to have to find an offshore website with which to bet on the UFC. This is your primary and your best option. Offshore sites that allow players from USA typically cater to Americans by offering big bonuses, flexible payment options like Bitcoin and perhaps even PayPal, and they'll cover an extensive range of UFC fights for your betting pleasure.
Of course, you don't have to go out there and start researching these sites on your own. Here at USA Sportsbook Sites, we can point you in the direction of a great sportsbook today. We have researched and reviewed these sites, and if you're an American in need of a home for sports betting, we can point you directly toward a winning website with which to bet.
Tips to Help You Win
Find A Trusted Site
We told you above where you can go to bet on the UFC, and also that we can help you get there. But we want to speak very briefly about how important this is. The top-shelf sportsbooks out there, like the ones we'll point you toward, have the most betting options, the fairest betting lines, and will also load you up with bonus money, reload bonuses, loyalty points, and other incentives for signing up.
So the first tip that's worth mentioning when betting on UFC fights is to find the right website with which to bet. Follow our lead here and find yourself a trusted US friendly sportsbook that will benefit you in many ways over the course of your betting.
Use the 10% Rule
It might seem like you're restricting your money to the point you cannot make any money, but you have to budget yourself when betting on sports. Limit all of your betting activities to 10% of your stack. Yes, if you have $300 in your account, this means only betting $30. We know; it sounds very restrictive, but it's all about risk minimization.
Think of the big picture here, the long game. As you start to win and turn that $30 to $60, and $60 to $120, that 10% gets bigger every single time. Eventually, and pretty soon, you're going to have $1,000 in your account if you do things correctly, and this going to allow you to bet $100 with your 10%, and on and on it goes.
This rule starts as a way to minimize your risks, but it gets even better as you follow through with it. As you proceed by only betting 10%, you're now only betting your profits, so no matter what you're never going to lose any of your money ever again so long as you stick to this rule. It's about thinking big picture here, not just a hit-and-run night with UFC betting.
Avoid Big Favorites
For the first real tip that has to do with judging fights, you should always avoid those huge favorites. Even if you bet on them and you end up winning, there's just not enough in it for you. For instance, let's say that Connor McGregor is facing off against a cupcake opponent just for a publicity stunt, which is often the case in Dana White's UFC; it's all about selling pay-per-view subscriptions to his UFC #58,458 this year.
So, McGregor's such a huge dog that's he's going off at -500! That's a huge line, and there's no way for you to win any real money here. Especially if you're using your 10% rule and have like $200 in your account, you're betting $20 on this fight and aren't getting back anything but $4 in profit. That's not worth your time. You can find plenty of other fights at any particular UFC event and at least get 1:1 on your money, if not a lot better by finding a slim dog whose skills are better than his or her opponent's.
Those big favorites are traps. And just imagine for a second that you put in $500 to win $100, and his opponent caught him with a lucky knee to the chin and won. You're out $500! There's just too large a risk and not nearly enough reward when you take the big favorites. If the line is over -300, avoid the favorites. You have to draw your own line somewhere.
Don't Bet Too Many Fights
Once you see how easy the lines are to figure out and how easy it really is to place your bets on a legit sportsbook, you might just want to go down the list and bet a few bucks on every single UFC fight. Understand, however, that you'll have to win more than half of them to make a profit, assuming that you've even bet enough on the favorites to cover the juice they take.
So if you're betting on every fight, you can be in some serious trouble. The better approach is to find a handful of fights that you want to research for further details, finding out some information about the fighters, reading some expert opinions, etc, and figuring out which fighters you think have a legitimate shot at actually winning.
After that, you want to narrow your choices down to just three or four fights to bet on, and you typically want to keep these bets small to start. You don't need to go past that 10% rule. If you bet correctly and win, that stack will grow every single time, and each new bet gives you a larger stack and thus a bigger 10% chunk with which to bet.
Don't Get Caught Up in Hype
Hype in UFC is pure poison. It caught up with Ronda Rousey against Holly Holm to the tune of a vicious beat-down for the ages. It's also going to catch up with Conor McGregor within his next few fights, mark our words. He's going to run into someone with superior boxing skills, and his face will be lit up like a Christmas tree.
The UFC has been about pure hype since its 1990s rebranding, and fighters are built up to be much better than they actually are. All fighters to ever be hyped have lost. Chuck Liddel, Jon Bone Jones, Rampage Jackson, Randy Couture, and on and on it goes. We're talking about two human beings facing off in a real fight.
Somebody's going to get hit, and somebody's going to get hurt. Nobody is invincible. If you're betting on the UFC, never buy into the hype that someone is unbeatable. If they have too much hype surrounding them, it's not automatic that you should bet on the other fighter, but you might want to ignore that fight and bet on something else.
Understand Fighting Styles
Returning to our Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm example, there were actually many people who recognized that Ronda was the true dog in this bout because of fighting styles. Rousey was a ground-and-pound fighter with no stand-up game, whereas Holm was considered one of the best boxers in MMA. If not for the hype (remember, hype is poison), Holm wouldn't have went off at 12:1 and the fight would have been rated much more evenly.
But because Rousey was built up as the best thing since sliced bread, people were duped into believing that styles didn't matter. The same thing happened a few years back when Anderson Silva fought Chris Weidman. Anderson had a great martial arts game, one of the world's best, but Weidman was a world-class striker, and he knocked Silva plum out in the second round.
Mma Betting Odds
Understand fighting styles. If a fighter has a superior boxing game vs. no stand-up skill, or a superior ground game vs. no ground-and-pound skills, take the more complete fighter. Your attention to these details will pay off more often than not.
Leverage Out on Underdogs
Just as you should avoid those big favorites (-300 and higher) as to avoid having to put up too much money to win, thus taking too much of a risk with not enough reward coming back, you should also avoid underdogs who are too small. For instance, if an underdog is simply +120, that's not worth betting on.
However, if you're researched the fighting styles and there's a complete fighter going off at +350 or better, this is certainly worth putting $10 or so down on, maybe even $20 or more. This is a way to leverage against your other bets. You want to do some quick math here so that, for instance, you're not losing money if you end up losing your underdog bets and only win your favorite bets.
Mma Betting Bovada
You want to simply leverage out on a couple of key underdog bouts. With a sport like basketball, you can win 60% or better by taking the favorites every time. This isn't the same in the UFC. Fighters are constantly getting beat while they're the favorites, and you will eventually have to bet on some dogs to win.
At USA Sportsbook Sites, we really try to deliver to you the most thorough, accurate and updated information online. We take pride in becoming your go-to resource for such information, and we sincerely hope that this UFC information helps you win some cash the next time a big event rolls around. With this betting info, hopefully you can become a skilled gambler in the genre and can start winning big bucks on some of the world's top UFC match-ups.
Ufc Betting Sites
The Start Of MMA Fighting and the UFC
Mixed martial arts have a much longer history than you may initially think. When people think of martial arts, they typically think of Asiatic cultures and things like karate and kung-fu. However, MMA actually dates back to Greece with their male wrestlers.
Yes, you might not recognize that sort of Greco wrestling as anything like Jiujitsu, but that sort of grappling was actually the start of MMA. Of course, once fighting styles did start pouring out of ancient Asian cultures, the rest of the world started to adopt a lot of unique fighting styles, such as kickboxing and other variations of the ground game, and this would eventually give birth to the large, yet sporadic, MMA field.
At first, MMA didn't have much organization. There were dozens of small factions, which you could barely even call 'leagues,' and fighters would duke it out for little money, even less fanfare, and the sport was incredibly dangerous. Stoppages typically resulted only when someone was knocked completely out; there were no refs stepping in to keep things calm in the early days.
In the 1990s, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was first bursting onto the scene, this is what caused some in government, like John McCain, to staunchly oppose the fights. They called the fighting barbaric and claimed that the fights were nothing but blood-lust, modern-day gladiatorial spectacles. So, the UFC was faced with a dilemma.
They wanted to become as popular as boxing, but they also couldn't afford to have government attempting to shut them down. After naming Dana White as their president, the UFC underwent some serious changes, starting a reality show, getting world-class referees who protected fighters, etc. They really cleaned the sport up and made it mainstream, and today the UFC is exponentially larger than boxing.
Mma Betting Picks
One reason the UFC stands out to so many is that you can bet on the fighters. Every UFC event has dozens of quality fights, and gamblers can end up making some serious cash if they know what they're doing. Throughout this guide, we're going to explain to you how you can bet on the UFC legally and from a solid sportsbook, while even giving you some tips to help you win.