Ultimate Fighting Championship Basics 63415t

Since its humble origins in 1993, the UFC has grown exponentially and established itself as a global sports and entertainment brand. Combat sports have existed for centuries, but the UFC is unique in not catering to one fighting style, such as boxing, wrestling, or karate.

UFC allows for various martial arts fighting styles and techniques (hence the term mixed martial arts), making events appealing to all combat sports fans, not just fans of a particular fighting style. While MMA is a significant part of the UFC, there is much more to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Everything You Need to Know About UFC – May 2025 21311d

The ‘Gracies in Action’ video series inspired the first UFC event. These videos featured fights from the Gracie Challenge, an open invitation to fighters from other disciplines to prove the Gracie style of fighting superior to all other forms of martial arts.

UFC 1 was the creation of businessman Art Davie and Brazilian martial artist Rolion Gracie and was held on November 12, 1993, at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. It was an eight-man single-elimination tournament called “War of the Worlds” with few rules and no weight classes.

As the tournament winner, Royce Gracie is considered the first champion in UFC history.

Early promoters pitched events as real-life versions of popular video games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. Instead of the traditional square ring lined with ropes (like for a boxing match), a caged octagon was adopted to keep fighters from escaping through the ropes or using them to gain an advantage.

According to longtime UFC president Dana White, UFC 1 was meant to be a one-time thing, but additional events were held since it performed so well as a pay-per-view event.

In the early days, the UFC dealt with a ton of opposition from politicians and special interest groups who deemed it too violent; Senator John McCain infamously referred to it as “human cockfighting” before asking governors in all 50 states to ban UFC events.

Many did, enacting laws that banned “no holds barred” fighting. The criticism led to UFC officials working with state athletic commissions to institute some rules and regulations. Over the years, the rules have evolved, removing much of the brutality of UFC events while maintaining fundamental aspects of the sport (i.e., striking, grappling, submissions, etc.).

The tournament format remained in place through UFC 17. Weight classes were introduced in 1997 at UFC 12, with fighters under 200 pounds deemed lightweights and those 200 and over heavyweights. The weight classifications expanded to five with UFC 31 in 2001. There are now 12 (eight for men and four for women).

UFC as a Global Sport 682w55

UFC events have taken place around the world. Many have happened in Las Vegas, including events at the UFC Apex, MGM Grand Garden Arena, and T-Mobile Arena. In total, 236 UFC events have taken place in Vegas.  Of the 691 UFC events held thus far, 489 have been in the US in 90 cities across several states.

Internationally, Brazil has hosted the most (40), followed by Canada (33), the UK (28), Abu Dhabi (18), Australia (17), etc. Twenty-one additional countries have hosted at least one (but at most nine).

More on Mixed Martial Arts 3q3v2z

Combat sports have been a part of society for centuries, but while they traditionally focused on one fighting discipline/style (i.e., boxing), MMA allows for more than just punching. It involves punching, striking, clinching, submissions, takedowns, etc.

While other combat sports focus on one thing (i.e., boxing—punching), MMA fighters have to be more well-rounded and just as capable of striking as they are of takedowns and submissions.

Of course, strategy is essential for MMA fighters. If fighters know their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, they can develop a plan to defeat them by utilizing their own skill set. Part of a successful strategy for fighters entails being prepared to adapt in the moment as a fight transpires.

How to Bet on UFC Fights 46394o

The crown jewel of MMA fighting, the ultimate fighting championship, is one of the most exciting sporting events out there, so the thought of increasing that excitement seems unlikely, but you’d be surprised as there’s a range of contest options in UFC that can make your viewing experience even more enjoyable. Whether you’re a first-time better or a pro, the ways a UFC fight can entice you with its different betting capabilities, exciting upsets, and underdog victories is unmatched. So if you are ready to get in on the action, take a look at the different types of wagering options below, and don’t forget to check out our list of best UFC betting sites for the latest new customer promotions. 

Moneyline/Match betting 102s1d

This bet type is the most common, as your goal is to select who you think will win the match or who the outright winner will be. Like in other forms of moneyline betting, the fighter with the minus sign is the favorite, and the one with the plus sign is the underdog. This means that it is a two-way selection process, resulting in the nullification of bets when there is a tie or no winner.

Method of Victory Betting 4y2d5g

A UFC fight can end in three ways: KO/TKO/DQ, submission, and a judge’s decision. With this bet type, you aren’t choosing the fighter that will win but insead, how the match will end.

• Method of Victory Options:

• • Knockout (KO)
  • Submission
  • Decision from the Judges

Round Betting 51f3m

This is one of the more favorable bet types if you have researched the fighters well and are determining the round the fight will end on. However, you can also have a more layered betting strategy in which you can choose the winner and the method of victory in conjunction with the closing round. 

• Basic: Betting on when the Round will end
• Combo: Round Bet- Winner of the Match
• Triple:  Round Bet- Winner of the Match- Method of Victory

One of the caveats with round betting is that the chances of winning are nearly random, so it’s important to make this type of bet wisely and interweave other more probable bets with your current strategy.

UFC Live Betting 251vb

Live or in-game betting offers similar options to pre-match, so depending on the sportsbook, you can still do round bets, match betting, and props, but the odds will be influx as the number of bet options and results can shift. 

UFC Futures Bets 1340e

Futures bets for UFC  give you the option to make match bets and moneyline wagers before the fight based on the early odds given.

UFC Parlays 2o1o2d

This form of betting lets you line up multiple bets on one card so that the outcomes of each match (if you are correct) result in a higher payout for you. However, you would need each leg of your Same-game parlays are also available at most sportsbooks, in which you combine multiple legs from the same match into one parlay wager.

Over/Under Totals and Rounds 532l15

With the over/under bet type, you can bet not only on which round will end the match but also on the total number of rounds in the overall fight and whether or not a certain round is initiated. For example, if you take the over in the main event and want to go past the third round, the fight would have to extend to round 4 or 5 for you to win.

Fight Props and Spreads 3k34b

Prop bets can be made based on specific events in a fight that aren’t necessarily related to the final outcome. Here are some of the most popular prop bet types available at most major sportsbooks:

• Fight to Go the Distance: The fight lasts until the final bell.
• Time Props: Betting that a fight will end after a certain time.
• Split Decisions: If the judges make a split decision; you can also bet on the number of points split by
• Points deducted during the fight: Wagering on how many points will be deduced and why
• Way of Knockout: betting on if a fighter gets knocked out, if it’s a technical knockout, or if it’s a disqualification. 

Overview of UFC 1d4j3q

While the idea of ‘rules and regulations’ was initially scoffed at for the ‘no holds barred’ events, the need for rules and regulations became apparent in time. Over the years, the UFC has adopted many rules and regulations. Some have worked and remain today, while others were tried and eventually abolished.

Here is an overview of the sport’s basic rules and the fairness/safety guidelines adhered to according to the unified rules of mixed martial arts.

Scoring 5n256v

Here is an overview of the 10-point system used to score rounds:

• Scoring is based on a fighter’s effectiveness at striking and grappling, their aggressiveness (and whether it was effective), and octagon control.
• The quantity of punches plays a factor, but damage plays more of one.
• Takedowns need to put a fighter in a position to attack and not just change positions.
• Being aggressive is important, but not if it just results in getting hit. Chasing an opponent will not get you points, either. Fighters need to do something of significance when applying pressure.
• Aggressiveness does not play a factor unless judges do not see either fighter gain an advantage in striking or grappling.
• A fighter has control of the octagon when they can use their skill set to control where the fight takes place and how.
• Fighters can score higher than their opponents for dominating the fight, i.e., multiple takedowns or knockdowns, significant strikes, etc.
• Fighters can also lose points for doing something illegal, i.e., head butting, eye gouging, biting, spitting, fish hooking, throat/groin attacks, or hitting someone while they are “grounded.”
• Ten points go to the round winner, with the loser getting nine or fewer.
• While not common, judges can score a round 10-10. In such a round, neither fighter gained an advantage over the other.
• When the judges score it 10-9, one fighter wins the round but does not gain a significant advantage.
• In a 10-8 round, one fighter dominated the other.
• A 10-7 round can happen, but they are rare. They can occur when one fighter doesn’t just dominate the other but overwhelms them.

Judging 6u6430

Judges will essentially look for three things from fighters in the octagon: impact, dominance, and duration:

• Impact: Judges are not too concerned if one fighter throws more punches, kicks, elbows, etc. than the other. It’s the impact of what a fighter does that matters. Did their actions lead to physical and visible damage to the other fighter?
• Dominance: Judges want to see fighters take charge in a fight. Are they constantly forcing their opponent to take a defensive position? Are they in the dominant position when grappling? However, not just having a dominant position matters; what a fighter does while in said position is relevant.
• Duration: Does one fighter control the round more than the other? Is one forced to be on the defensive more than the other? Judges will want to see a fighter take charge and remain in control.

Fight Strategy 495834

Every fighter will have their strategy heading into a fight, but here are a few general ones fighters of different weight classes may adopt:

• Smaller fighters (i.e., flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight) may want to use their speed and agility to combine grappling and striking to keep opponents off-balance. You may see more submissions at these weights than others.
• In somewhat heavier weight classes (lightweight, welterweight, middleweight), fighters will still utilize their speed and agility to their advantage to set up precision striking with some power. These fighters will still use a lot of submission holds.
• Light and heavyweights will focus less on speed and agility and more on developing and maximizing power use.

Submission Techniques 5u5t1v

One way to win a fight is to force your opponent to tap out or submit. Fighters do this by applying a submission technique that an opponent can’t escape. Here are some of the more common ones:

• Rear-Naked Choke: the most common submission technique in MMA, this hold involves stopping the blood flow to the brain by squeezing the carotid artery in the neck.
• Guillotine Choke: the second most common technique used, the guillotine choke, involves applying pressure after wrapping your arms around your opponent’s neck.
• Armbar: Like the kneebar, the armbar is a t lock hold where you hyperextend your opponent’s elbow.
• Triangle Choke: this one involves wrapping our legs around the neck and arm of your opponent in the shape of a triangle.
• Kneebar: this t lock hold involves hyperextending your opponent’s knee.

UFC Fighting Styles 246s3q

The following are some of the more common (but not all) of the fighting styles and disciplines prevalent in the UFC today:

• Boxing: Most commonly done with padded leather gloves on each hand, boxing involves using your hands to throw punches at your opponent while using footwork to gain an advantageous position in the octagon.
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: developed by the infamous Gracie Family, it involves a lot of ground fighting, grappling, and submission holds.
• Judo: a form of martial arts that focused on throws, ground fighting, and submission holds.
• Karate: often used as an umbrella name to describe several martial arts styles. It focuses on using the hands, knees, and feet to strike your opponent and for defense.
• Kickboxing: This style combines the punches familiar with boxing and kicking, like with many martial arts disciplines.
• Kung Fu: involves various martial arts styles focusing on kicks, strikes, and acrobatics. Many styles are patterned after how particular animals move.
• Taekwondo is one of the most commonly practiced forms of martial arts. It involves a lot of flashy kicking and punching techniques.
• Wrestling: a form of grappling used to take down an opponent and gain an advantage without punches/strikes.

UFC Weight Classes 4upq

Men: 145q6r

1. Heavyweight (206 – 265 lb)
2. Light Heavyweight (186 – 205 lb)
3. Middleweight (171 – 185 lb)
4. Welterweight (156 – 170 lb)
5. Lightweight (146 – 155 lb)
6. Featherweight (136 – 145 lb)
7. Bantamweight (126 – 135 lb)
8. Flyweight (116 – 125 lb)

Women: 3e4g4q

1. Featherweight (136 – 145 lb)
2. Bantamweight (126 – 135 lb)
3. Flyweight (116 – 125 lb)
4. Strawweight (up to 115 lb)

Who are the Best UFC Fighters? 1e663f

The following are among the best fighters in the UFC today, in their class and pound-for-pound.

Ilia Topuria 4u4v1i

• Title win: defeated Alexander Volkanovski via second-round TKO at UFC 298
• Outcome: he improved his record to 7-0 in the UFC (15-0 overall) and earned his first UFC title belt. He’s won five fights by knockout and ended nine in the first round. Topuia is ranked as the No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC rankings.

Dricus Du Plessis 6a6l4u

• Title win: defeated Sean Strickland for the middleweight title via split decision at UC 297
• Outcome: improved his record to 7-0 in the UFC (21-2-0 overall) with the win, his ninth in a row, and became the first South African to win a UFC title. Only two fights have gone far; he won nine by knockout and ten by submission. He is No. 9 in UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Alex Pereira 6y4430

• Title win: defeated Jiří Procházka for the vacant light heavyweight title via TKO in the second round at UFC 295.
• Outcome: improved his record to 7-1 in the UFC (10-2-0 overall) with the win, his ninth by knockout. He is a former middleweight champion, defeating Israel Adesanya via TKO at UFC 281. But he lost the belt in the rematch at UFC 287. He moved up to the light heavyweight division for his next fight and is 3-0, including a title win and a successful defense. He is currently ranked No. 4 on UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Jon Jones 406f3n

• Title win: defeated Ciryl Gane via submission (guillotine choke) in the first round at UFC 285, his debut fight in the heavyweight division.
• Outcome: improved his record to 21-1-1 in UFC competition (27-1-1 overall) with the win. He is a former light heavyweight champion with the record for most successful title defenses and consecutive wins. Jones was also stripped of the title three times for disciplinary reasons and is the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter via UFC’s rankings.

Raquel Pennington 2r236q

• Title win: defeated Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision for the vacant women’s bantamweight title at UFC 297.
• Outcome: improved her record to 13-5 in the UFC (16-8 overall) with the win. She currently holds the record for most fights, total fight time, significant strikes landed, most total strikes landed, and most decision, unanimous decision, and split decision (tied) fights in women’s bantamweight division history— currently the No. 5 ranked fighter in UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Alexa Grasso 3x6d1c

• Title win: defeated Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title via submission in the fourth round at UFC 285.
• Outcome: with the win, her record improved to 7-3 in UFC competition (16-3 overall; she has since had a title defense that ended in a draw, making her UFC record 7-3-1); she participated on The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. She will coach one of the teams in The Ultimate Fighter 32 against Shevchenko. She is ranked No. 1 on UFC’s women’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Zhang Weili 366x3w

• Title win: defeated Carla Esparza for the women’s strawweight title via submission (rear-naked choke) in the second round at UFC 281.
• Outcome: improved her record to 7-2 in UFC competition (23-3 overall) with the win; has since improved to 9-2 with a pair of successful title defenses. She had previously won the strawweight title from Jéssica Andrade at UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang and defended it once before losing it to Rose Namajunas at UFC 261. Weili also lost the rematch at UFC 268.

UFC Events 2z6o14

The following is a list of many of the UFC events fans can attend and watch via UFC Fight :

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Imavov – June 8, Louisville, KY (KFC Yum! Center) 7y4x

This event marks the long-awaited return of the UFC to Louisville, KY (the UFC was last in Louisville in March 2011). Former middleweight champion Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov will fight on the card.

UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira—June 15, Las Vegas, NV (UFC Apex) 6z143f

This will be the 100th event held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. A flyweight bout between the No.5 ranked Alex Perez and the No. 13 ranked Tatsuro Taira is scheduled to headline the event.

UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Chimaev – June 22, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Kingdom Arena) 1t132v

Also known as UFC on ABC 6, initially scheduled for January 24, this event was originally postponed by Saudi Arabia’s chairman of General Entertainment Authority to ensure “the best caliber talent’ would be present at the event.

A fight between former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker and No. 10 middleweight Khamzat Chimaev headlines the event.

UFC 303: McGregor vs. Chandler – June 30, Las Vegas, NV (T-Mobile Arena) 1w174d

UFC 303 will mark the long-awaited return to the octagon for former featherweight and lightweight title holder Connor McGregor. He’ll face Michael Chandler at the top of the main event card. The two recently appeared as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler.

UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2–  July 27, Manchester, England (Co-op Live) 76k9

This will be the fifth UFC event in Manchester; the last was UFC 204 in October 2016. The card will feature a welterweight title fight, with current champion Leon Edwards taking on Belal Muhammad. The two faced off as the headliner for a UFC Fight Night card in March 2021, but the fight got called following an accidental eye poke. The card also included a heavyweight title fight between interim champion Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes. 

UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov – August 3, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Etihad Arena) 4c2i6l

A bantamweight fight between  Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov will headline the UFC’s 19th event in Abu Dhabi. They were previously scheduled to fight on the UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font card, but Nurmagomedov pulled out due to a shoulder injury.

UFC Live Events and DFS Contests 62635d

The DFS world, but UFC DFS contests are very popular among both combat sports and DFS fans. Here are several reasons why:

• Since UFC events are often held once a week and scheduled well in advance, it is easier to research UFC events than for sports held daily, like NHL.
• The unpredictability of a UFC fight makes it harder to model/predict. Consequently, you do not have to compete with hundreds of nearly identical lineups, nor will you find a select few dominating UFC DFS competitions.
• Unlike other popular DFS competitions, you can watch every fight that impacts your lineup as it occurs on the card, enhancing the viewing experience much like having a bet on an NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL game does.
• UFC DFS has not been around as long as the versions for other sports, i.e., NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. Fans and DFS players are still trying to figure out strategies like they have for the NFL. Until that happens, the average UFC DFS fan will still have a chance to win.
• In most sports, it can be challenging, if not impossible, to research players before drafts adequately. But with UFC DFS, you only have to be concerned with less than two dozen.
• Injuries are not nearly as much of a problem for UFC DFS players as for most sports. In-game injuries are common in sports like the NFL. While they may not be serious, teams may pull players out of games as a precaution. Fights will get called due to injuries in the UFC, but it is not common and is usually announced before the day of the event.

Ultimate Fighting Championship FAQ 336j2i

Want to learn more about UFC and get the latest updates? Read these common questions and answers we’ve compiled below.