How to bet on UFC

When the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was launched in 1993 some fans expected to see the type of "no-holds barred" matches that usually only happen in a pub car park late on a Saturday night. Others waited for martial arts masters to step into the UFC’s octagonal cage and win each match with the "death touch".

What fight fans did get was the reality of what happens when fighters using different styles compete against each other and the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) was born. MMA fighters compete using a variety of different disciplines including boxing, kickboxing, karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, Thai boxing and wrestling. Nasty street fighting moves like eye gouging, head butting and groin attacks are all banned.

The UFC is the undisputed brand-leader in the world of MMA. While you can watch MMA tournaments promoted by other organisations which have great fighters, you may also end up watching a freak show match-up between an ex-boxer and someone who looks like that mad bloke who always starts fights at your local nightclub.

Fighter analysis

The UFC offers an array of new possibilities for sports gamblers.

While boxing is the "sweet science" – go a few rounds with an amateur boxer at your local club and you will get a PhD in getting your ass kicked – UFC fighters also use elbows, knees, kicks and grappling techniques. This creates myriad possibilities for how a match can end.

Also, unlike in boxing, competitors wear lightly padded 4oz gloves with bouts scheduled for either five or three five minute rounds.

Before you place a bet, analyse each fighter’s strengths and weaknesses. Key areas to consider include power, defence, striking, grappling, ground fighting, strike resistance, stamina and speed. Also look at the background of each fighter. While MMA fighters train in both striking and grappling they usually have a background in either wrestling, Jiu Jitsu or kickboxing. This provides valuable clues to how a match will end.

A kickboxer whose specialises in knocking out opponents with head kicks – yet has weak defences on the ground – could be tailormade for an MMA fighter with a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. Check out video sharing websites such as YouTube and search for clips which may give clues to how each fighter has performed against an opponent with a similar style.

Points to prove

If you have been a regular gambler on boxing there has probably been a time when you were left tearing up your betting slip and cursing the judges after your fighter lost a questionable points decision. Are there the same risks in the UFC? In the US, judges at UFC matches are appointed by the state athletic commission where the event is held while in the UK judges are appointed by the country’s MMA governing body.

As the sport of MMA is fast-evolving some observers have voiced concern that judges do not have sufficient experience. But there have been few controversial decisions in the sport, a notable exception being when England’s Michael Bisping won a points decision against American Matt Hamill at a UFC event held in London last September. In this case the judging was heavily criticised by fight fans on internet message boards.

Take the underdog in the fight

As a UFC match is a two horse race, seriously consider putting your cash on the underdog, especially as there have been a series of high-profile upsets in recent events. For example, former UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture came out of retirement in his 40s to defeat the then reigning champion Tim Silver and few pundits expected Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to knock out the reigning light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell in the first round last year.

The Jackson v Liddell match in many ways demonstrated the explosiveness of the sport. After circling and feinting each other for the opening 90 seconds, Jackson unleashed a thunderous right hook which knocked Liddell down before quickly pummelling him out cold.

Liddell had no chance to make up for the costly mistake of dropping his hands – unlike a football team which concedes an early goal – a point worth considering if an underdog in a fight can bang.