How to Sign Up and Bet on UFC Tonight

Opening a sportsbook account and placing a first UFC bet takes about ten minutes once you know the steps. Here's the exact process I followed my first time — no guesswork, no surprises.

Is online MMA betting legal where you live?

Before you download anything, confirm that your state allows it. Legal online sports betting is live in 38+ US states and Washington D.C. as of 2025. If you're unsure, the state-by-state MMA betting legality overview breaks it down clearly. The minimum age is 21 in most states, though Montana, Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island allow wagering at 18 for certain operators.

Which sportsbook should you sign up with first?

DraftKings holds an official UFC partnership and covers every main card and preliminary fight. FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars are equally strong options with deep MMA markets. I'd suggest reading the full best sportsbooks for UFC betting guide before committing, because availability varies by state and welcome offers differ.

How do you open an account step by step?

Download the app or visit the site. Use the official app store listing or the sportsbook's .com address — never a third-party link.
Enter your details. Name, date of birth, email, and a US mailing address. The operator uses this to verify age and location.
Verify your identity. You'll upload a government-issued ID — driver's license or passport. Most books clear this instantly; occasionally it takes a few hours.
Deposit funds. Common options include credit/debit card, PayPal, ACH/online banking, Play+ prepaid card, and wire transfer. Pick whichever you're comfortable with.
Navigate to the MMA or UFC section. It's usually under "Sports" → "MMA" or surfaced on the homepage during an active fight week.
Select your bet type. A full breakdown of every MMA bet type is worth a quick scan here — moneyline, method of victory, over/under rounds, and props all appear on the same card page.
Add the selection to your bet slip. The slip appears on the right side on desktop or as a floating button on mobile.
Enter your stake and review the payout. Odds display in American format — a negative number like -150 means you risk $150 to profit $100; a positive number like +130 means a $100 bet returns $130 profit. If you want a deeper refresher, the guide to reading UFC fight odds walks through every scenario.
Confirm the bet slip. Tap "Place Bet" and screenshot your confirmation number.

What should you watch for before the event?

Weight misses, late medical scratches, or opponent substitutions can void bets or swing lines dramatically. I always check MMA news within 24 hours of a card. If you're thinking about combining multiple fights into one ticket, review how UFC parlays work and how the vig compounds before adding legs — the math catches a lot of beginners off guard.

Once the fight is live, most major sportsbooks let you wager between rounds through in-play markets. The live UFC betting guide covers how those rapidly updating odds work and when it makes sense to act.

Do you owe taxes on whatever you win?

Yes — all US gambling winnings are taxable federal income. Sportsbooks issue a W-2G for winnings of $600 or more at odds of 300-1 or greater, or net winnings of $5,000 or more from certain wager types. The full rules are in the UFC betting winnings tax explainer. Keep records from day one; it's much easier than reconstructing them in April.

Must be 21+ (18+ in select states). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.