UFC action returns Saturday night, marking the first big marquee sporting event since Colorado online sports betting launched last week. In fact, UFC 249, set to go down in an empty area, is the first live marquee contest since coronavirus widely shuttered sports back in early March.
The highly anticipated return features an absolutely stacked card, so let’s jump into the odds, matchups, and everything else you need to know about UFC 249.
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Colorado Online Sports Betting: How to Bet on UFC 249
You are here because you’re in the state of Colorado and looking to bet on UFC 249, so let’s begin with a quick look at how to bet on the event.
Online sports betting launched in CO on May 1 despite the the relative absence of sporting events. Yes, sports like darts, table tennis, and Korean baseball have filled the slate, but UFC 249 – headlined by the fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje – is the first big time event for bettors.
Unsurprisingly, Colorado online sportsbooks are rolling out extremely aggressive offers as they compete for consumer attention during the infant stages of the state’s sports betting rollout.
DraftKings Sportsbook Colorado
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DraftKings Sportsbook went live with the dawn of CO sports betting, marking the western arrival of one of the most successful online sports betting apps on the market. New users at DraftKings can grab up to $1,000 in free bets in addition to a special boost on Ferguson vs. Gaethje. Get it by clicking here.
Following opt-in, DraftKings will issue bettors a special Tim Tebow vs. Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaithje promo.
That’s right. DraftKings Sportsbook is serving up an exclusive offer to CO bettors in honor of Tim Tebow’s postseason playoff touchdown to beat the Steelers in January 2012.
That touchdown was scored 11 seconds into overtime, so DraftKings is giving users the chance to bet on the Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight to last longer than the Steelers defense did that day.
At +100 odds, users can place a $25 max bet and win if the fight lasts 12 seconds or longer. That outcome seems pretty likely.
FanDuel Sportsbook Colorado
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CLAIM OFFERAs always, new users to FanDuel Sportsbook will receive a $500 risk-free first bet (you can get it right here), but the headliner here is the Tony Ferguson 5/1 odds offer for both new and current users. Given Ferguson is a solid -178 moneyline favorite, catching him at boosted +500 odds is presents outstanding value.
This offer is capped at a $20 max bet, but will still return $100 for players, meaning that if you’re on the favorite in this fight, getting him at FanDuel is the right move.
BetRivers Colorado
BetRivers, which offers new players a $250 first deposit match (which you can get here), is offering several UFC 249 betting specials. Among the offers:
- Donald Cerrone and Michelle Waterson both to win (+391)
- Anthony Pettis and Uriah Hall both to win (+791)
- Tony Ferguson to win in Round 1 or Round 2 (+260)
- Over 2.5 Main Card fights to go the distance (Yes +200)
These specials, along with a wide range of betting options spanning the entire card, are worth checking out.
UFC 249 Odds
Featuring a card stacked with nearly a dozen compelling fights, UFC 249 figures to offer fans an action-packed event. It also stands to offer those looking to enter the Colorado online sports betting market plenty of wagering options.
Bettors will be able to wager on the following outcomes on each fight:
- Fight winner
- Total Rounds
- Go the distance
- Win fight in round (specific)
- To win fight in round (ranges)
- Win by any knockout, submission, or DQ
- To win by decision
- Winning method
- Winning method-fighter-round parlay
- To win by split or majority decision
- Winning method-round parlay
- To win by unanimous decision
Needless to say, there will be plenty to bet on throughout the evening.
CO Online Sports Betting Update
The May 1 launch of Colorado online sports betting went smoothly, despite the absence of several prominent sports leagues. Four operators – DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and BetRivers – went live at launch, and will soon be joined by the likes of Smarkets and FOX Bet, among others.
Colorado, with its operator-friendly 10% rate, is expected to be a hotly contested battleground for online sportsbooks as competitors jockey for position. It is estimated that by the end of 2020, the state’s bettors could have access to more than 15 online sportsbooks, meaning there is sure to be plenty of aggressive bonuses and rewards programs available.
Unsurprisingly, Colorado sports bettors dabbled in niche sports in the early going targeted local teams such as the Denver Broncos with bets in the futures market. But with the arrival of UFC 249 and the impending return of NASCAR later this month, it appears the people of Colorado will soon have a growing menu of sports betting action.