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As we continue our series of basics for those betting fans new to the UFC and mixed martial arts, we now turn to three legends of the UFC. These are fighters who have shown, time in and time out, they are true warriors, and men capable of superhuman feats.

Anderson Silva

The middleweight champion is considered by many to be the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Having rattled off twelve straight wins, eleven of those have come in the UFC, a promotion which has repeatedly matched him up against the most dangerous challengers. Silva has taken a great deal of flack lately for some uninspired and otherwise inexplicable performances. Still, the man remains the pinnacle of striking in the sport, and his dominance is unmatched.

Georges St. Pierre

Sports betting fans from Canada are quite familiar with the popularity of Georges St. Pierre. St. Pierre has proven the reach of mixed martial arts with his status as a mainstream sports celebrity at home and abroad. St. Pierre continues to be neck-and-neck with Silva for the number one P4P fighter. St. Pierre will serve as a coach opposite next challenger Josh Koscheck on the next season of the Ultimate Fighter.

Randy Couture

The man known on UFC telecasts as simply, Captain America, Randy Couture is probably the most beloved fighter currently working in the UFC. Couture has had a rocky career, one which has not been marked by unparalleled dominance, but by heart and perseverance. Couture cemented his legend when he returned to the promotion following an aborted retirement to fight then heavyweight champion, Tim Sylvia. Couture looked to be the saviour of MMA fans who had grown tired of Sylvia's lackadaisical performances.

For those new to the sport of mixed martial arts, we continue to bring you our helpful guides to get you on your way tobetting on your favorite fights. Now, let's turn to three basics of the Octagon that every fan and sports betting fan should know.

The Ref is in Charge

Once that cage door is closed, there is one person in charge of the action - the referee. Referees are licensed and apointed by the athletic commission where the event is being held. In Las Vegas, this is overseen by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Referees for major events are typically of a decent standard, with most having a background in either striking or grappling martial arts. It's important to remember the subjective element inherent in refereeing - refs are humans. They make mistakes, and they're not always consistent.

Don't Grab the Fence! (With your hands...)

One important rule to remember is that fighters are forbidden from grabbing the Octagon fencing during a fight. If a referee sees a fighter grab the fence, they will issue a verbal warning. In the event that a fence-grab prevents a takedown or submission, the referee can elect to deduct a point from the violator. In the event of repeated fence grabs, more points can be taken. If a fighter continues to ignore the referee's instructions, they can be disqualified. With that said, many savvy fighters have recognized that fighters are permitted (at least in practice) to grab the fencing with their toes. This can be very helpful in executing sweeps, or transititions to submission holds.

After the Final Bell, the Fight is Over

Months back, Brit Paul Daley was summarily bounced from the UFC for taking a shot at opponent Josh Koscheck - well after the bout had officially ended. It's important to remember this is a prize fight, it is not a wild free-for-all. There are myriad rules, and displays of uncontrolled, unacceptable violence are not tolerated, by promoters, regulatory bodies, or fans. After that final bell, the time for fighting is over.

For fans new to UFC betting, many questions exist regarding the basics of the sport. We now continue our series for beginners, presenting some basic differences between the Octagon and regular boxing rings.

The ring is the traditional fighting surface in combat sports. For many boxing fans, the idea of the fighting surface being an enclosed cage is bizarre. Indeed, for many sports fans in general, it is a difficult concept to understand. The cage evokes images of brutality and offers a far more obstructed view for fans watching events live.

So, why does the UFC use the Octagon? Much of it has to do with branding. The violent imagery associated with a cage is exactly what the UFC is interested in. That said, there are a number of practical advantages over a traditional ring for mixed martial arts.

Betting fans know that grappling is hard in a ring. Fighters get close to the ropes, and then they either need to be restarted in the center of the ring, or, in the case of the old days of Pride, be supported by an army of ringside officials who would prevent them from falling out of the ring. In a cage, fighters can grapple freely, and indeed, use the cage to their advantage. Just as a fighter cannot grab ropes in a ring, they do are forbidden from grabbing the fencing in the Octagon. That said, many referees will allow fighters to use their feet to grip the fencing, allowing for sweeps, and to secure submissions.

Another difference between the ring and the cage is the surface area for fighting. The Octagon is larger than a regular boxing ring, which again helps facilitate the multi-disciplinary nature of mixed martial arts. This allows fighters more room to transition as well as engage and avoid.