How does point spread work in UFC?

Reading the spread in the UFC is actually very easy. It essentially follows the same core logic as all other spread bets that are placed on the outcome of sporting contests. However, some small differences are tied to the mode of victory.

The key takeaway here is that the spread in the UFC and MMA, or boxing for that matter, applies only to the judges’ scorecards, and not other modes of victory, such as knockout, submission, or disqualification.

Explaining spread betting in the UFC and MMA

In UFC and MMA, spread betting only applies to fights that go the distance. If a fight ends early by knockout, submission, or disqualification, the spread is voided, and all bets on it are canceled.

This means you should only place spread bets on fights you expect will last all rounds and be decided by the judges’ scorecards.

How scoring works:

• Each round, the winner usually gets 10 points, and the loser gets 9 points or fewer, depending on performance.
• After all rounds, the points are totaled. Fights that go the distance are often close, which is why spreads matter.

How the spread works:

1. Suppose Fighter A is -3.5 (favorite) and Fighter B is +3.5 (underdog). For betting purposes:
2. Fighter A subtracts 3.5 points from their total score.
3. Fighter B adds 3.5 points to their total score.

Example:

After 3 rounds, Fighter A wins all rounds 10-9.

• Fighter A total: 30 points
• Fighter B total: 27 points

Apply the spread:

• Fighter A: 30 - 3.5 = 26.5
• Fighter B: 27 + 3.5 = 30.5

Result for the bet: Fighter B "wins" the spread by 0.5 points, even though Fighter A actually won the fight on the official scorecards.

Conclusions: Mind the UFC spread

Spread betting in the UFC works a bit differently than in other sports. Remember: these bets only apply to fights that go the distance, and your choice of fighter matters. You need to be wise, as only a qualifying fight could turn your bet into a winner. Spread betting cannot replace the thrill of MMA, but it comes close to making you feel a part of the action.

Image credit: Unsplash.com