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UFC Betting In Illinois
The UFC is widely regarded as the premier platform for MMA fighting, boasting the highest viewership, betting activity, and level of skill.
Over the last decade, the UFC, founded in November 1993, has experienced a rise in popularity among fans and bettors alike. Featuring the best mixed martial artists in the world, these fights offer both excitement and the opportunity for substantial financial rewards.
The sport’s growth cannot be attributed solely to the intense fights of top athletes, as the UFC’s rise in popularity has coincided with the legalization of sports betting in several states. Live UFC betting, in particular, adds to the excitement of watching the fights.
Keep reading to learn about the various legal ways to place bets on UFC matches in Illinois.
Best UFC sports betting apps in Illinois
How UFC betting works
Placing bets on UFC fights is straightforward. You can choose to bet on the winner, the method of victory, and the fight’s duration before it ends.
Of course, there are also more intricate wagering options available, such as UFC prop bets and live betting. We will delve into the details of live betting in an upcoming section.
Before then, here is a overview of the common UFC and other MMA wagers you can typically discover at the majority of legal online and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Illinois.
Moneyline
In many sports leagues, like the UFC, moneyline bets involve sportsbooks offering odds for each team or individual in a head-to-head matchup.
The odds are a reflection of the predictions made by the oddsmakers regarding the likely outcome of the match and the favored winner. A negative odds number indicates the team or individual expected to win, while a positive odds number represents the anticipated underdog.
As a sports bettor, it is your responsibility to choose the UFC fighter you think will win and then search for the most favorable odds offered by various sportsbooks. The practice of line shopping is essential for increasing your chances of success in betting.
Imagine this hypothetical UFC fight as a demonstration:
| Conor McGregor -140 |
|---|
| Eddie Alvarez +110 |
The close numbers suggest a close battle is expected in this fight according to the oddsmakers. However, they predict McGregor will ultimately come out on top.
If you bet $140 on McGregor and he wins, the sportsbook will give you a $240 return, which includes your original $140 bet and a $100 profit. On the other hand, if you bet $100 on Alvarez and he wins, you will receive a $210 payout, consisting of your $100 bet and a $110 profit.
During UFC 205 in 2016, McGregor achieved a technical knockout in the second round, making him the first UFC champion to hold two weight titles (145 pounds and 155 pounds) simultaneously.
Total rounds
You may have heard about betting on totals or the over/under before.
Oddsmakers set a betting line based on the expected number of rounds a fight will last. Your prediction will focus on whether the fight will go over or under this projected round total. The result of the fight itself does not matter, only when it will end.
During Ronda Rousey’s dominant reign in the octagon, bookmakers may have created a betting line like this in anticipation of her quick victories.
| Under 1.5 rounds -550 |
| Over 1.5 rounds +220 |
You can also place bets on the specific round in which a fight will end, including Round 1, Round 2, or Round 3.
Sportsbooks may offer betting options on the number of rounds a fight will last, such as rounds 1-2 or rounds 2-3. Just like with other bets, you choose the outcome you believe will occur. If you are correct, you win the bet.
Method of victory
In Illinois, many sportsbooks allow bettors to wager on the method of victory in a fight, a unique type of bet popular in UFC and other mixed martial arts competitions. Fighters can win by knockout, submission, or decision.
The result of the fight, much like the total rounds wagered, is not important. What truly matters is accurately predicting how the fight will end. The odds may be presented in the following manner:
- Knockout: -110
- Submission: +150
- Decision: +500
It is evident that a knockout is expected, and a submission is also a probable result. However, the odds makers think that a decision is unlikely.
Parlays
Parlay betting allows you to combine multiple individual bets into one wager on a single betting slip, taking advantage of the multiple-fight format of UFC events.
For example, if you want to bet on the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis fights, and you believe Nurmagomedov and Pettis will win, you can combine these two bets into a single parlay bet.
Although the potential return on investment is higher with a parlay compared to individual bets, there is also a higher risk of loss if all selections on the bet slip are not correct. The more wagers added to the parlay, the greater the risk becomes.
How to bet on UFC fights live
In Illinois, sportsbook apps and websites allow you to participate in live betting while watching UFC fights. This type of wager, known as in-fight betting, allows you to place bets on changing odds as the fight progresses in real-time. You have the option to continue placing live bets even after the fight has ended.
At your preferred Illinois sportsbook, live bets could include submissions attempted, landed takedowns, knockdowns, and attempts at takedowns.
The UFC match odds will continuously fluctuate throughout the fight, allowing you to place bets at any point. Illinois sportsbooks will update the odds in real-time, giving you the chance to wager on the fight as it unfolds.
While retail sportsbooks in Illinois may not offer live betting, you can still place wagers on a fight using online sportsbooks through your mobile device. Just make sure you are located within the state lines of Illinois when placing these bets.
Legal UFC betting sites in Illinois
Individuals who are 21 years old or older and are located within Illinois’ borders are able to place bets on UFC fights at licensed physical sportsbooks or online sports betting apps, as sports betting is permitted in the state.
Legal and regulated sportsbooks in Illinois operate under state laws, offering reassurance to bettors that they are protected from fraud or deception. The Illinois Gaming Board continuously monitors and evaluates these sportsbooks, which must comply with regulations to maintain their licenses granted by the state. Failure to do so could result in license revocation.
Sportsbooks operating offshore or illegally are not regulated by any state, leaving little to no protections in place for gamblers and their money. Unscrupulous businesses may cheat bettors or withhold their rightful winnings, with no legal recourse available.
Sportsbook rules for UFC betting
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the house rules of each sportsbook before placing any UFC bets. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions beforehand.
The regulations for UFC fights typically involve the following guidelines:
- If a fight does not take place within seven days of the scheduled date, it will be considered a “no action.”
- If any of the fighters is substituted, all bets will be voided.
- The fight becomes official when the bell signals the start of the first round.
- The betting results are considered unofficial until they are confirmed by an official at the venue where the fight took place.
- If a fight is declared a “no contest,” all bets will be considered void.
- In betting on winning strategies that may result in a knockout, a KO (knockout), TKO (technical knockout), and disqualification are all classified as knockouts.
These guidelines are flexible. It is important to take note of any particular regulations set by each sportsbook before making your wager.
Tips for betting on UFC
Before placing a bet on an upcoming UFC fight, it is important to thoroughly research and develop a solid betting strategy. While this advice may not be the ultimate tip for UFC betting, we hope it helps you make informed and educated bets.
- Familiarize Yourself with the Fighters: Prior to wagering on a match, make sure to thoroughly research the fighters. Look into their injury status, assess any weight fluctuations they may have undergone, analyze their fighting techniques in comparison to their opponent, and review their recent matches to gauge their performance.
- Consider the potential length of the match: Are the fighters capable of lasting until the final round? Take into account their defensive strategies. Alternatively, do they tend to engage in aggressive tactics, potentially ending the fight early on? Analyze their fighting techniques and past performances to determine whether you should wager on the duration of the bout.
- Understanding the historical performance of fighters is crucial when placing bets. Consider whether they typically last the entire match or are known for knocking out their competitors. Analyzing their past performances against mutual competitors can also provide valuable insight.
- Combat Styles: One fighter is known for their knockout ability, while the other is skilled at analyzing and adapting to their opponent. Both fighters favor ground techniques and submissions. Understanding their styles can help predict the outcome when they face off. With further research, you could end up supporting the winner.
How to watch the UFC online
In order to watch a UFC fight, you can’t just flip on the TV and find it like other sports. Instead, you’ll need to access specific channels or apps to view these events.
Early preliminaries of UFC fight cards can be watched on UFC Fight Pass, while the preliminaries are broadcasted on ESPN. To watch the main fights, you can purchase pay-per-view (PPV) through ESPN+.
You can choose to subscribe to Fight Pass to stream fights on your mobile device. If you already have subscriptions to ESPN or ESPN+, you can use these credentials to stream online on your computer or mobile device as well.
Biggest fights ever in UFC history
As the UFC has become more popular over time, there have been many memorable fights. Among them, three stand out as particularly remarkable.
- During UFC 193 on November 14, 2015, Ronda Rousey, the undefeated face of UFC, went up against Holly Holm. Rousey’s Pay-Per-View matches were must-see events where she dominated her opponents. With over 55,000 fans in attendance, Rousey was the crowd favorite with odds at -900. Despite expectations of a quick victory for Rousey in the first round, Holm managed to hold her own and shocked everyone by knocking out Rousey in the second round.
- During the UFC 229 event on October 6, 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov successfully defended his lightweight title against Conor McGregor. The highly anticipated fight, which put Nurmagomedov’s undefeated record at risk, attracted over 2.4 million pay-per-view purchases. Despite McGregor’s popularity in the MMA world, fueled by his previous high-profile matches like the one against Floyd Mayweather Jr., he was still considered the underdog by sportsbooks. As predicted, Nurmagomedov emerged victorious with a submission win in the fourth round. However, the post-fight drama escalated when both fighters and their respective team members became involved in altercations, resulting in suspensions and fines from the UFC.
- Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor went head-to-head at UFC 202 on August 20, 2016, in what became the most-watched PPV match at the time with almost 1.7 million viewers. Fans were excited for this rematch after Diaz’s initial victory, and the second fight did not disappoint. McGregor ultimately won by decision after a thrilling full-length battle, cementing the fight as an unforgettable classic.
History of the UFC
The UFC began as a competition where fighters with different martial arts backgrounds came together to establish the most effective fighting style. The first event took place in Denver in November 1993 and ended with Royce Gracie winning with his Brazilian jiujitsu.
Over the years, the UFC has undergone significant evolution and transformation. In 2000, the organization adopted a set of MMA rules, marking the end of unrestricted fights and signaling its transition into a legitimate entity.
In 2001, Station Casinos executives Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta saw promise in the UFC and purchased it for $2 million. Dana White was named president and played a key role in transforming the UFC into a widely watched sport over the next 15 years. Their hard work paid off in July 2016 when the organization was sold for a remarkable $4.025 billion.
The growing popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) quickly propelled the UFC to new heights. With the emergence of superstar fighters and its reputation as the top destination for mixed martial arts, the UFC saw significant growth. Today, it has transformed into a massive sports and media powerhouse.
UFC FAQ
The UFC, short for Ultimate Fighting Championship, harks back to the sport’s beginnings when martial arts experts battled in a tournament-style competition to determine the most effective fighting style.
Endeavor, the company that acquired the UFC for more than $4 billion in 2016, is the current owner. Additional investors include Silver Lake Partners, MSD Capital, KKR & Co, and UFC president Dana White.
Certainly. DraftKings is a top sportsbook option for Illinois bettors, particularly for those interested in UFC betting. They provide a wide variety of wagering options for UFC fans, ranging from traditional bets like total rounds, moneyline, and winning methods, to more advanced options such as parlays, futures, props, and live betting.
Conor McGregor is a well-known figure in the UFC community, and for good reason. He is one of the most famous fighters in the world, and his financial success is a testament to that. McGregor earned $3 million from his UFC 202 fight and another $3 million from his UFC 246 fight, solidifying his status as a top earner in the sport.
On the record, Dana White, president of UFC, estimated the brand’s value to be approximately $7 billion.