Combat sports have made meteoric strides over the past decades, and unsurprisingly mixed-martial arts (MMA) have become some of the most popular sporting events for bettors in the new age of online sports gambling.
If you’re a fan of MMA or UFC, the most widely followable MMA federation in North American fighting, you probably want to get into gambling on the sport’s marquee events, especially if you’re in a state where online sports betting is legal.
Don’t fear if this is a daunting prospect. We’re here to help. We’ll give you the tips about how to bet on MMA fighting and cash in on the best bonuses.
Benefits of UFC Betting Promos
Betting online is the best way to max out playable funds and create a bankroll. Online sportsbooks provide welcome bonuses like second-chance bets, deposit bonuses and free bets that give users extra money for their mixed-martial-arts betting.
Signup bonuses are one-shot deals, and they are typically the sportsbook’s best offer. If a user signs up and doesn’t cash in on the bonus or promo the offer is gone forever, which is why it is integral for new users to take advantage.
Online Sportsbooks with MMA Signup Bonuses
Caesars Sportsbook
The Caesars Online Sportsbook has made major strides at becoming the marquee sportsbook in the United States thanks to its purchase of British-based sportsbook William Hill in August 2021. Since, Caesars has targeted casual gamblers and high-stakes bettors alike with a collection of promos and boosts and a great welcome bonus that gives new signups first-bet insurance up to $1,250.
Caesars sportsbook has arguably the best selection of betting markets for MMA fans, including odds on UFC events, Live betting on individual bouts and Futures wagers on events that are coming down the road. Plus, all bets come with Caesars Rewards, which enable players to earn dining-and-food credits at Caesars properties whether they win or lose.
BetMGM Sportsbook
MGM is one of the best and most recognizable names in gambling, with luxurious properties around the globe. the BetMGM online sportsbook has quickly become one of the top options for sports bettors too with a user-friendly app that is perfect for MMA and UFC betting.
The BetMGM sportsbook also has a robust loyalty rewards program as well as live streaming for marquee events. It also provides bettors with helpful tips and advice so they can make the most informed decisions. Plus, new users get a second-chance bet of up to $1,000 upon signup.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel became a household name in the daily-fantasy industry then unleashed an online sportsbook in 2018 that has quickly become the No. 1 ranked sportsbook in the United States.
FanDuel is one of the most widely available sportsbooks in the nation and has risen in popularity thanks to its innovative practices, including same-game parlays, which it invented and has since become the standard at sportsbooks nationwide. FanDuel is the only online sportsbook that lets users deposit and withdraw with Venmo and has a live streaming option for bettors of certain marquee events.
BetRivers Sportsbook
The BetRivers Online Sportsbook is one of the best options for new and novice gamblers since it gives bettors a helpful glossary of terms and advice for each event each day, including UFC bouts. Plus, BetRivers has one of the best welcome offers in the online sports betting game, offering new users a deposit match of up to $250 with only a 1x play-through, meaning bettors need only wager through the bonus funds once before they can be cashed out.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings, like FanDuel, made its name in daily-fantasy space and has since become the most widely available sportsbook in the United States. It typically is among the first online sportsbooks that are rolled out when legal sports betting goes live in a new state.
DraftKings has an extremely user-friendly interface and provides great props and Futures bets for MMA and UFC fights. Plus, DraftKings offers new users a first-deposit bonus and other new signup offers that let them max out their bank accounts.
Best Combat Sports Betting Promos
Each online sportsbook has its own unique offer, and some have individual restrictions like minimum odds or time constraints. Here is a quick look at the best offers that sportsbooks provide.
No-Deposit Bonus/Free Bets
No-deposit bonuses are typically reserved for the casino space, yet online sportsbooks do periodically provide new users small credits just for signing up. Some reimburse in the form of a free bet. Others let users wager with site credit.
These bonuses are valuable since, again, every sportsbook offers new users with its best offer and these wagers let gamblers build their playable funds without needing to even part with their hard-earned money at least at first.
Deposit Bonus
Deposit bonuses are when an online sportsbook matches a new user’s initial deposit up to a certain percentage. Some online sportsbooks will give bettors a 100% match on their first deposit. Some will offer a percentage of their first deposit.
Deposit matches are not solely reserved for new users as some online sportsbooks will give users a smaller percentage, like 25 or 50 percent, centered around marquee sporting events. But the 100 percent deposit match is my personal favorite new-signup bonus, especially since I like to keep my money in my sportsbook account, because it lets me play longer without needing to constantly redeposit.
Second-Chance Bet
The term second-chance bet can mean different things at different apps, but typically a second-chance bet is when a new user’s first wager is reimbursed up to a certain amount if it fails. Some second-chance bets pay back in site credit. Others give bettors a second bet of the same amount as the first. Either way, these are the most popular sportsbook bonuses today.
Personally, I prefer to go with sportsbooks that reimburse their second-chance bets with site credit since again it maxes out my playable funds and I’m not necessarily out hundreds or thousands of dollars in two bets. Plus, a second-chance bet that reimburses in site credit will sometimes let users get profit + stake as opposed to the second free bet, which only pays out in profit.
Either way, second-chance bets are great promos to take advantage of.
First Bet Match
A first-bet match is similar to a second-chance bet except that first-bet matches will pay out in site credit whether your initial bet wins or loses. This means that simply putting down $100 on a first bet will fetch you a $100 free bet even if the first bet doesn’t hit.
There are a few different strategies for how to cash in on a first-bet match. For instance, you can try a long-odds wager you believe in in hopes that it will max out profit. Or you can max out your playable funds by taking a short-odds bet that should hit then using the bonus bet to attempt something with long odds.
Make sure to read the fine print though because some first-bet matches must be of at least a certain odds, usually -200 or longer.
Bet & Get
Bet-and-gets are some of the most popular new-user bonuses, and bettors can get huge sums of site credit — $200 or more — just by putting a small sum of money on an event. Like first-bet matches, bet-and-gets will typically pay out whether the initial wager wins, which means you’ll get site credit plus profit if that initial wager is successful.
Typically, you’ll have to play through your entire bonus funds before you can withdraw in a bet-and-get, and there is a finite amount of time to use the site credit. But bet-and-gets are great offers since they let users play for a while without depositing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
How To Pick the Best UFC Sportsbook Promos
Picking the right sportsbook promo that aligns with your preferred betting style is integral. Here’s a list of criteria to consider when determining which promo to take advantage of.
- Type of Bonus: Check to see which type of bonus is being offered. Deposit matches, bet-and-gets or second-chance bets that pay out in site credit are the best offers around.
- Time Constraints: Sportsbooks will force bettors to use their free bet credits in a certain time frame. The longer you have to use, like 90 days for instance, is better. Some sportsbooks will force your bet to settle within seven days, which is OK but less ideal since it removes Futures bets as an option.
- Odds Restrictions: Some bonuses are only available with certain odds, like -200 or longer, which is something to be cognizant of before placing your second second-chance bet or first-bet match.
- Wagering Requirements: Some bet credits are not withdrawable or are not included as part of your betting stake. Others have a certain amount of playthrough you’ll need to do to get the full bonus or to withdraw your money.
MMA Sportsbook Promo Codes vs Bonus Codes
Promo codes and bonus codes are interchangeable terms. Some sportsbooks will require custom codes — for instance, our promo code at Caesars is “GAMEDAYFULL" whereas other sportsbooks ask for the code “GAMEDAY."
Make sure to check our sportsbook pages to determine whether you need a code and what it is at each online sportsbook.
Do You Need A Promo Code?
Not always. Some new-bettor offers are available once a user signs up and makes his/her first deposit. Others are activated when users check a box — certain sportsbooks will offer multiple new signup promos and let users determine which one they prefer.
Best MMA Betting Promotions
Since UFC events are marquee sporting events for betting and viewing, sportsbooks will offer useful promotions and boosts for individual MMA bouts and UFC events that will give bettors more bang for their buck.
Here are a few to be aware of:
- Boosted parlays. Some sportsbooks will curate specific parlays for bettors to take advantage of then boost the odds to make it more enticing for gamblers.
- Boosted props. Do you think a specific fighter will win a specific way, like by submission or by TKO? Or do you think the round will end in a specific round? Sportsbooks offer betting on those as well.
How To Use UFC Betting Bonuses
The best way to use betting bonuses is to play with them. If you want to quickly win money, just remember that’s not easy as sportsbooks don’t exist to lose substantial sums of money.
Obviously, the best bets are the ones we love. But be sure to do your homework too. Once these offers are used, and funds expire, you’ll have to deposit or move onto a different offer.
Do UFC Betting Promos Have Restrictions or Limitations?
Almost all betting promos have restrictions. Some have odds restrictions, meaning in a second-chance bet bettors must place a wager that is -200 or longer. Some have time restraints, like how bonus funds must be used within 90 days or a week.
Some sportsbooks will also limit the types of bets you can place. Futures are sometimes off limits, due to the time restraints. Same-game parlays may also be limited, although that is less of an issue with UFC and MMA betting.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements can have a major effect on taking advantage of new-user bonuses. Make sure to read the fine print before signing up as failing to abide by these policies can adversely affect your ability to cash in.
Where Can I Bet on MMA Online?
Online sports betting is available in more than a dozen states nationwide, and more join the legalized betting space every day. Here are the states in which you may legally bet on MMA online:
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Look for More than One UFC Sportsbook Bonus
As we alluded above, make sure to spend time with all sportsbooks before narrowing it down to your preferred book for MMA betting. Odds-shopping, or perusing different websites for the best odds on your preferred market, is essential and can only be done when you have funds in multiple accounts. Plus with each sportsbook boosting odds on bouts and parlays, keeping funds in multiple sportsbook apps is a great way to get the most profit for the bets you love.
