UFC betting is growing in popularity in New Zealand at the moment, even if the sport has a long way to go to catch up with Rugby's position at the top of the pile.
These days, most major online betting sites in NZ cover UFC, and the big events draw a lot of interest from sports fans.
Betting on the UFC includes the chance to bet on not only the winner of a bout but also the method of their victory. It is also possible to bet on options such as which round a fight will end in. Most UFC betting sites have pre-match odds available well in advance of all the sport's top events, while it should be possible to bet on high-profile events live when they are ongoing, too.
To bet on the UFC from NZ, sports fans will need to sign up for an account with an online betting site that covers the sport. Entering the cashier will enable them to fund their account via one of the many payment methods available, with some sites even accepting cryptocurrency.
To place a bet on the UFC, the process is then just the same as it is for betting on any other sport: Make a selection, add it to the bet slip, choose the stake size, confirm the wager, and then wait to see if it is a winner. But where should fans place their bets?
Best UFC betting site in NZ for 2024.
Best UFC welcome offer in NZ.
Best for UFC free bets.
Great for UFC statistics.
Best UFC betting odds in New Zealand.
Bst365 is a revered betting site founded in 2000. Kiwis can kick-start their UFC betting journey and earn big on the platform due to the mouth-watering odds.
One of the best reasons to choose Bet365 for MMA betting in NZ is the fact that UFC selections can qualify for the site's multi-sport acca betting bonus.
With this offer, Kiwi users can boost their potential profits by up to 70%, depending on how many selections they add to the acca.
Data offered to Bet365 users includes a tale of the tape, and these statistics can be used to decide what to bet on.
At Bet365, you can access many events from different UFC categories and set bets accordingly. Unlike some platforms where you're restricted to picking a winner or loser, Bet365 steps up the anté with these bet formats:
One thing users will appreciate about Bet365 is the site's extensive FAQs section. This section has answers to everything (yes, we checked), nullifying the need to seek aid from other customer support channels.
Bet365 has the full package and is highly recommended for UFC fans in NZ, even if the payment methods that the site's cashier can use are slightly limited.
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If you're a big UFC fan, consider 888Sport. Created in 2008, 888Sport has quickly cemented its fame in many countries, New Zealand inclusive. Regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority, all gambling-related activities at 888Sport denote fairness.
Regarding betting markets, 888Sports keeps it simple. During our review, we discovered one — Bout Winner. So, whilst the favourite for every UFC event has lower odds, the underdog has a higher odd value.
For site-related transactions, NZ players can deposit or withdraw via NZ-themed payment options like Neteller, Skrill, and Paysafecard.
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Betway is a betting site revered in multiple jurisdictions. Instituted in 2006, Betway is great for UFC punters.
Customers at Betway have the chance to earn UFC free bets if they place qualifying wagers. With $10 in MMA free bets offered each week, it is one of the best sites for UFC bonuses.
Here, you can place bets on these UFC competitions:
What's better? Your chances of scoring a decent win in these tournaments are heightened with betting markets like:
Interestingly, Betway issues statistics on future UFC or MMA fights. This section gives you an insight into each fighter's form, allowing you to place informed wagers.
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TonyBet hit the ground running in 2013. Since then, the Estonia-based gambling site hasn't looked back, giving NZ bettors access to an immersive wagering adventure with decent promotions and odds.
The site's collection of UFC and MMA events reaffirms one word — vast! Kiwi gamblers can place wagers on these UFC leagues:
During our review, we discovered that UFC events had two major betting markets:
Although the markets available may seem a bit limited, TonyBet earns some points with its "statistics" area. This section delivers insight into previous UFC results. That way, you can place wagers edging you closer to decent winning combos.
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BetVictor is normally ranked among the best betting sites in NZ for odds value, so it comes as no surprise to see that the UFC and MMA betting odds on the site are very high indeed. Those who want to get the best value from their bets on the UFC should certainly sign up here.
The betting interface at BetVictor has a pleasing design. While the MMA events are sorted by time by default, a simple tap or click can change this so that the most popular bouts are at the top. As the main event is the last to take place in a major UFC event, this makes a lot of sense, as the highest-profile matches will then be shown right at the top of the page at BetVictor.
BetVictor - which is ranked among the most trustworthy and reliable betting sites - has MMA markets to pick from, such as round betting, method of victory and total rounds, as well as whether or not a bout will go the distance on the night.
For the biggest bouts, special markets like knockdown betting and if the fight will end within a minute are often available here as well.
As BetVictor covers MMA events such as Oktagon as well as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, there is always plenty of choice.
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The UFC ranks as the "poster boy" for all Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events worldwide. With UFC betting now a staple at most NZ betting sites, Kiwi gamblers can now bet on fighters slugging it out in The Octagon. You could almost cut through the trepidation presented by this sport.
If you're new to UFC betting, don't worry, as this guide contains all the missing jigsaw pieces — from the finest UFC sites in NZ to notable tips for seismic wins.
Most UFC betting newbies think the terms — UFC and MMA — are the same. However, they aren't.
MMA (mixed martial arts) is the sport itself. Conversely, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is an entity that runs its MMA events and promotes them accordingly to a global audience.
Let's break it down further. Not all MMA fights are UFC events. However, all UFC fights are MMA match-ups.
Like the UFC, you'll encounter MMA events curated by other organisations on your preferred gambling site.
Notable mentions include:
UFC fights happen in the Octagon — an enclosed area with eight sides. This structure has seen individuals tag UFC fights as "cage fighting." Although the Octagon is an eight-sided enclosure, it has set specifications:
The mat used in the "Octagon" is replaced after each UFC for hygiene and health reasons.
When the UFC started, fighters could put on anything. However, as the firm grew, several restrictions came to the fore. All UFC fighters must don shorts approved by the health board. Putting on shoes and tops (male UFC only) is illegal.
A UFC bout's length relies on the event's significance. For context, while championship events are five-round long, smaller UFC fights have three rounds.
A round lasts for five minutes. Also, one-minute breaks are issued after each round for competitors to rest and receive instructions from their trainers. UFC Judges use a 10-point system to rate fighters.
Here, three judges can award up to 10 points in every round. After tallying these points, the UFC fighter with the most is announced as the contest winner.
A UFC match-up can end in various ways, including:
The UFC also has a set of illegal moves. Currently, the number is at 30+. Notable mentions include:
UFC events are categorised into weights, just like other combat and MMA events. These classes are known as "Divisions" in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Notable UFC divisions include:
Division (Gender) - Max Weight (KG)
NOTE: UFC classes became a thing in 1997.
The UFC is unpredictable. As a Kiwi bettor interested in wagering on related events, it'll be best to use some tips and strategies to make headway and effect decent winning combinations. Here are tips we recommend adopting:
Betting on high odds is the only way you can effect the astronomical winnings you crave. For the highest UFC odds, we advise registering on multiple NZ betting sites with related events available. That way, you can compare and contrast UFC odds on these platforms and place bets on the variation with the highest odd value.
This phrase might sound didactic, but it applies to UFC betting. Before wagering on a UFC match-up, analyse fighter records. Check how many rounds each fighter lasted in their previous matches, KO rates, and fighting styles. Doing this allows you to make informed bets.
"Backing the underdog" is a UFC tip that works, albeit sparingly. We recommend implementing this tip when a betting platform gives the "favourite" status and odds to a fighter experiencing a recent form dip. If you back the underdog here, you can effect astronomical wins.
Doing research is great. But do you know another thing to help you make colossal UFC bet winnings? Seeking experts' views! To get started, scour platforms YouTube for insight into what top-notch analysts like Joe Regan, Luke Thomas, and The Weasel think about upcoming events. However, we recommend sieving out the bits that tally your UFC betting adventure, as several analysts might dole out the wrong strategies now and then.
Listening to expert "takes" and doing research is great. However, you'd need to watch UFC fights regularly to understand the event, especially if you wager based on generalisations. For context, you may feel Israel Adesanya can't defeat Paulo Costa due to the latter's physique. Well, this assumption is false, as Israel has "quick feet" and can dish out a kick resulting in a Costa K.O.
Ijeoma Esther is an iGaming content writer and editor with over a decade of experience in the New Zealand mobile casino industry. While initially diving into online casino gaming as a hobby, she soon found herself immersed in the enthralling world of mobile slot and live casino games.Through the years, she discovered that writing about her favorite pokies was just as fun as playing them.