Mixed Martial Arts is surging toward the end of 2025 with a packed calendar featuring high-stakes UFC cards, PFL tournaments with million-dollar prizes, and global events from ONE Championship and KSW. For MMA fans and bettors alike, the period from late June to December offers a thrilling lineup of bouts, each carrying unique betting angles. And just like in other betting markets—such as state-based platforms that offer pa ilottery bonus codes —knowing when and how to place your bets is key. The rising popularity of MMA has even inspired a new generation of casino games based on fight sports, blending the thrill of combat with the excitement of chance, and attracting a growing segment of gamers who love both adrenaline and odds. Whether you’re looking for marquee title fights, tournament semifinals, or the next big breakout prospect, this overview will guide your attention—and your wagers—through the most promising opportunities.
June 27, 2025 – PFL Semifinals: Momentum Meets Motivation
Location: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) opens this stretch with its 2025 semifinals across the Middleweight, Lightweight, Light Heavyweight, and Heavyweight divisions. Unlike the UFC, PFL uses a season-based tournament format where fighters accumulate points, and each bout is a step closer to a $1 million prize.
Betting insight: Fighters at this stage are not just trying to win—they’re often gunning for finishes to impress judges and fans. It’s smart to bet on athletes who have high finishing rates, excellent cardio, and consistent performance during the season. Underdogs in PFL can be valuable if they’ve shown sudden improvement or are stylistically favorable against their opponent.
June 28, 2025 – UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira for Lightweight Gold
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
This is the crown jewel of UFC’s summer lineup, with former featherweight king Ilia Topuria moving up in weight to face ex-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. Topuria enters undefeated (16-0), while Oliveira brings a veteran’s grit and one of the most lethal submission arsenals in MMA.
Odds overview: Topuria is the favorite (-450 to -350), and many sportsbooks, including Bet365 and DraftKings, suggest a knockout win is likely. Oliveira sits as a live underdog (+285 to +350), but his tendency to absorb damage has become a liability.
Betting recommendation: Topuria by KO/TKO is a strong play here, especially given Oliveira’s past trouble against power strikers. However, if you believe Oliveira can survive the early storm, a late-submission prop bet could yield generous returns.
Other fights to watch on the card: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France for the flyweight title—another bout with sharp odds movement and explosive style matchups.
July 19, 2025 – UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier meet for a trilogy that will define legacies and potentially title contention. Both are elite strikers, known for volume, heart, and tactical brilliance.
Betting dynamics: Expect tight money lines and heavy action on round and method props. With both fighters evenly matched, betting the over or going for a decision win (especially split decision) could offer better value than picking a winner outright.
Betting suggestion: Consider a split bet: half on Poirier by decision, half on Holloway by decision. Avoid KO props unless inside info shows a sharp decline in one fighter’s durability or camp performance.
July 26, 2025 – UFC Fight Night: Abu Dhabi
Location: Etihad Arena, UAE
Abu Dhabi events tend to feature surging talent and fighters from the Middle East and Central Asia. They are fertile ground for spotting up-and-comers before they become household names.
Betting angle: This card will likely feature multiple debutants. Analyze regional fight circuits and weigh-in interviews. Look for live underdogs—fighters underestimated by global oddsmakers who are better than their records suggest.
August 1, 15, 21 – PFL World Championships
Locations:
- August 1: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City – Welterweights & Featherweights
- August 15: Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte – Bantamweights & Women’s Flyweights
- August 21: Seminole Hard Rock, Hollywood – Middleweights, Lightweights, LHWs & HWs
Each night crowns champions with million-dollar prizes on the line.
Betting strategy: By the finals, fighter data is robust. Focus on performance trends from the season—has a finalist faced tougher competition? Are they peaking in the playoffs? Matchups between strikers and grapplers often shift the odds sharply.
Smart play: Use PFL playoff results to guide you. Betting the distance/over-rounds can be valuable in championship bouts, where athletes are more cautious. Alternatively, if both finalists have early finishes en route, betting on the under could pay off.
September 13 – UFC 320: Noche UFC in Guadalajara
A celebration of Mexican MMA with top talent like Brandon Moreno or Yair Rodríguez likely on the card. Home soil advantage could play a role, especially with crowd support.
Tip: Betting on Mexican fighters at events like this has paid off in the past due to both morale and favorable matchmaking.
October 2025 – Contender Series, UFC & ONE Championship
- October 3: ONE Fight Night 35 (Bangkok, Thailand)
- October 4: UFC 320 (Las Vegas)
- October 7 & 14: Dana White’s Contender Series (Las Vegas)
These events often offer speculative betting value.
Underdog alert: Contender Series fights are perfect for high-risk, high-reward wagers. Look for fighters with strong amateur backgrounds, solid training camps, and aggressive styles—they often outperform expectations.
October 18 – UFC Fight Night Vancouver & KSW 111
Locations: Rogers Arena (Canada), Werk Arena (Czech Republic)
Regional cards like these are breeding grounds for future stars. KSW in particular is known for electric atmospheres and wild finishes.
Note: These cards are less predictable but can offer huge odds on lesser-known names. Look for Polish or Canadian fighters fighting at home and analyze their local scene dominance.
November & December – ONE Fight Night 36 and PFL MENA 4
- November 7: ONE Fight Night 36 (TBD)
- November 28: PFL MENA 4 (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
ONE continues expanding globally, while PFL targets regional markets. These promotions often have lopsided matchups, which the market may not price correctly.
Betting edge: Focus on fighters with strong Muay Thai or grappling credentials. Props like submission in Round 1 or TKO in Round 2 can deliver significant returns.
Final Betting Tips for MMA Late 2025
- Back Topuria at UFC 317—KO/TKO is your safest bet with dominant odds.
- Go with data for PFL events—use season-long performance to find value.
- Watch weigh-ins and interviews for insight on injury or mindset changes.
- Use split bets in even matchups like Holloway vs. Poirier 3.
- Spot underdogs in Contender Series and Fight Nights for maximum ROI.
From title fights in Las Vegas to international showdowns in Bangkok and Riyadh, MMA is going global—and your betting strategy should follow. Stay sharp, research thoroughly, and ride the adrenaline of one of the most unpredictable sports in the world.