UFC betting has grown significantly over the past decade, driven by the sport’s rise in mainstream popularity and the wider acceptance of sports betting across the United States. I added this page to help Virginia and Maryland residents learn how to bet on the UFC online.
On this page you will find the following:
- A breakdown of the sports betting landscape in Virginia and Maryland.
- A UFC betting example and summary of the different bets you can make.
Where To Bet
Virginia has had legal online sports betting since January 2021. Maryland has had legal online sports betting since November 2022. Where it is legal, you generally must be 21 or older and physically located in the state to place a bet.
Other options include prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket, daily fantasy sports apps where they are available, and offshore sportsbooks, which accept US customers but are not licensed or regulated by any state. Our guide to sports betting in the USA breaks down every option.
Sports Betting in Virginia and Maryland
Regulated online sports betting is fully live in both Virginia and Maryland.
Virginia legalized sports betting in April 2020, with regulated online sportsbooks launching in January of 2021. The market has grown since then and there are now 13 licensed online sportsbooks operating in the state, regulated by the Virginia Lottery.
Maryland voters approved sports betting in November 2020, with retail sportsbooks opening at land-based casinos in late 2021 and online sports betting launching in November 2022. There are now 12 licensed online sportsbooks serving Maryland residents, regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
UFC Betting Options
There are a variety of bets you can make on every UFC fight, but the majority of action is placed on which fighter will win. The odds on each fighter reflect the risk versus reward of the bet.
Here’s a look at the odds for the main event of UFC 326, the Max Holloway vs Charles Oliveira fight:
In this example, Holloway is a -205 favorite, meaning you would need to risk $205 on Holloway to win $100 (total payout $305). Oliveira is a +175 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on Oliveira would win $175 (total payout $275).
The total rounds is another popular bet. In the screenshot above, the over/under is set at 2.5 rounds. If the fight goes past the midway point of round 3 the over wins; if there is a finish before that point the under wins.
- Method of Victory – Pick the fighter and how the fight ends (decision, knockout, submission, etc).
- Round Betting – Pick the fighter and the specific round they win in.
Check out our UFC page for more detail on all the UFC bets you can make.
How To Bet On UFC In Virginia or Maryland – 3 Step Guide
Whichever option fits you, getting set up only takes a few minutes. Here’s how it works.
Step 1. Choose Where To Bet
In Virginia and Maryland, licensed sportsbook apps such as DraftKings and FanDuel take bets on UFC fights. Prediction markets and daily fantasy apps are another option if you want to trade on UFC fights without a sportsbook account.
Step 2. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Licensed sportsbooks require you to be 21 or older in most states, while most prediction markets and DFS apps accept players from 18. Regulated platforms verify your identity and check your location, so have your ID handy.
Step 3. Place Your UFC Bets
Head to the UFC or MMA section, choose the market you want, such as the fight winner, method of victory or total rounds, and enter your stake. Check the potential payout on the bet slip before you confirm. Most regulated platforms let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER.
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