Understanding UFC Combat Strategies and Fight Methods: Their Impact on Your UFC Gambling Predictions

Unleashing the UFC's Combative Cornucopia: Insights into the Wild, Wild Octagonby Daniel Craymer & Paul Ricci | February 18, 2025

As the UFC attracts combatants from a myriad of martial arts backgrounds, from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to wrestling, capoeira to kickboxing, and everything in between, it's essential for fighters to not only practice and master their preferred discipline but to also adapt and neutralize their opponents.

This variety of techniques presents exciting betting opportunities, especially when we venture beyond simple moneylines and explore bets such as Fight to Go the Distance or Method of Victory. If you're new to these wagers, or hesitant about them, this guide will have you covered. We'll delve into the diverse fighting styles found within the UFC and offer a few tips on how to bet on them.

UFC's Combat Corps: A Closer Look

The UFC's laid-back attitude toward rules means that there are only a few prohibited moves, such as head butting, eye-gouging, and throws outside the cage. However, there are protective rules for grounded fighters to prevent head kicks, head knees, stomps, and groin shots. In essence, fighters are free to employ any tactic they can think of to overcome their adversary. Weight class also plays a role, as lighter classes tend to feature more strikers, while heavier weight divisions often spot grapplers and wrestlers.

Strikers: The Inescapable Assault

Strikers utilize an arsenal of hand strikes, knee strikes, and kicks to tire out their opponents. Their fights primarily take place standing up, although takedowns do occur, albeit less frequently. Strikers favor knockouts or technical knockouts but are also capable of seeing out longer fights, allowing them to dominate and win by decision. Some fighters employ counter-striking tactics, waiting for their opponents to strike first before unloading their own assault. Other fighters, known as classic brawlers, are instigators, hurling the first punch and getting up close and personal with powerful, close-quarters strikes.

Related Practices:

Kung Fu
Muay Thai
Sanda
Kickboxing
Boxing
Karate
Taekwondo

Elite Strikers:

Israel Adanya (Muay Thai, kickboxing)
Conor McGregor (Boxing, kickboxing)
Anderson Silva (Muay Thai/Taekwondo)
Alex Pereira (Kickboxing, Muay Thai)

Grapplers: The Ground Game Warriors

Grapplers seek to control their opponents by taking them down, often employing judo or wrestling techniques for swift takedowns. Timing is crucial for grapplers, who aim for a good sweep followed by a strong hold. Submissions can be forced using chokeholds, clinch holds, arm or leglocks. The most common submission in the UFC is the rear-naked choke, while other favorites include the guillotine choke, air choke, armbar, triangle choke, and the anaconda choke.

Skilled grapplers can often finish off their opponents early via submission, often within the first or second rounds. Their fighting style can vary significantly between weight classes, with lighter classes boasting agile grapplers capable of executing speedy takedowns and a wider array of submission holds.

Corresponding Disciplines:

Wrestling
Judo
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Sambo

Skilled Grapplers:

Khabib Nurmagedov (wrestling, sambo)
Belal Muhammad (Wrestling)
Curtis Blaydes (Wrestling)
Charles Oliveira (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
Gilbert Burns (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
Bryce Mitchell (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)

Swiss Army Knights: Jack of All Trades, Master of None

Top-tier fighters need to possess an all-round understanding of various fighting styles and techniques to be prepared for any situation. These versatile combatants can win fights by decision, knockout, or submission, depending on the circumstances. They can surprise their opponents by ending fights swiftly via KO or submission, but they also have the stamina to last the full three (or five) rounds in bloody battles.

Illustrious All-Rounders:

Jon Jones
George St-Pierre

Additional UFC Combat Terms

Ground and Pound: When grapplers take down their opponents and instead of looking for a hold, they continuously bombard them with strikes, resulting in a violent and potentially decisive tactic, although it must be executed carefully to avoid illegal moves.
Lay and Pray: Though now less popular, this approach involves taking opponents to the ground but primarily stalling the fight by lying on top of them, hoping to secure a favorable judge's decision by eating away at the clock.

Betting on UFC Fight Styles: Tips and Tricks

While we can dive deeper into refining fighting styles, defining disciplines, and analyzing mixed practices, the main takeaway here is that the two main categories you'll encounter are grapplers and strikers. A quick review of any fighter's profile will provide insight into which style they favor – be it more submissions or knockouts/technical knockouts – typically indicating whether they're a grappler, striker, or well-rounded fighter.

The betting markets to focus on here are as follows:

Fight to Go the Distance: It's wise to place this wager in instances where you're unsure about the outcome or when choosing a moneyline seems uncertain. Instead, consider a bet on MOV (Method of Victory): Submission or a bet against the Fight to Go the Distance, especially in grappler-vs.-grappler matchups. You can also extend this strategy by betting on the fights to end before reaching the third round, providing a less likely yet potentially profitable outcome.
Method of Victory: With strikers, it's typical for them to win via KO/TKO or by judge's decision. Some fighters lack the stamina to last the full three (or five) rounds and will emphasize early, brutal attacks, eliminating the need for a decision. Other fighters with strong endurance might delay finishing their opponents, making decisions more likely. Take a look at each fighter's history to determine whether they possess the ability to last against tougher adversaries.

Remember to exercise caution when it comes to betting on the UFC, as the results can be unpredictable and outcomes can often hinge on factors such as a fighter's mental state, coaching, and preparation. Our previews and UFC Fight Night coverage always provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions, and we recommend sticking to reliable sportsbooks to ensure you get the best possible odds. Be sure to sign up to our newsletter for updates on upcoming UFC events.

Daniel Craymer Daniel is a seasoned bettor and sports editor, tirelessly testing new and established betting platforms with his betting predictions while constantly on the lookout for good deals. His cautious betting strategy, combined with his occasional employment of betting tools, offers useful advice for anyone looking to refine their sports betting strategy.

In the UFC, the diverse fighting styles present unique betting opportunities, particularly when examining Fight to Go the Distance or Method of Victory wagers. Grapplers, who focus on control and submission, can finish fights quickly, making wagers on fights going the distance less likely with them. Conversely, strikers, who rely on hand strikes, knee strikes, and kicks, often win via knockout or decision and may be more predictable for Fight to Go the Distance bets. To enhance these gambling strategies, considering the fighters' historical performances in terms of their capacity to endure tough opponents is crucial.