How Is MMA Scored? An In-Depth Look

5 mins read
MMA rules and Scoring
Image Credits: evolve-mma.com

There’s no denying that mixed martial arts have become extremely popular over the last several years, and as with any sport, an understanding of how it’s scored can help you enjoy it even more.

A full fight lasts anywhere from three to five rounds, each of which has anywhere from 90 to 120 seconds in the ring or cage. Each round consists of two-minute intervals where the action in the ring isn’t paused and fighters are allowed to fight without interruption. The MMA scoring criteria might differ league to league.We will answer some basic question like how are takedowns scored in ufc, etc.

In this blog the ufc scoring system explained more detaily.At the end of each round, three judges will review their scoring cards to tally up how many points each fighter received during that round.

Introduction

Welcome to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC for short! The UFC is one of the most prominent mixed martial arts (MMA) organizations in the world.

It’s been around since 1993 and has risen to become a global phenomenon that many are eager to watch. But what is it all about? How is it scored? This post will give you an in-depth look at how MMA is scored. In traditional boxing, there are three judges who score each round using a 10-point system.

These rounds are usually three minutes long and the total number of points given by the judges determines the winner. If a fighter wins by an even margin on points – meaning they have more than half the points – then they win via unanimous decision.

But when it comes to MMA, fighters do not have any time limits and there may be no limit on how many rounds they fight before they’re declared as winners based on who can force their opponent into submission or knock them out first with either punches or kicks. Judges also use 10-point scoring systems but only tally up rounds instead of giving them marks individually like in boxing matches.

What is considered when scoring in the UFC?

The following is a list of things to consider when scoring in UFC

1. Clean and effective striking – 2 points each (maximum 10) 

2. Effective grappling – 2 points each (maximum 10) 

3. Passing the guard (offensive or defensive) – 2 points for passing, 1 point for maintaining position on the ground (maximum 6) 

4. Maintaining top position on the ground – 1 point if you’re in mount; 2 points if you’re in side control; 3 points if you’re in back control; 4 points if you’re in full mount; 5 points if you score a submission while in this position and your opponent is still alive.

The 10-Point Must System

In this system, there is no set of criteria that decides who wins a round. Instead, the winner of the round is determined by whichever competitor has more points at the end of the time limit. The judges determine how much one fighter can control the other fighter and how successful their techniques were. 

In order to score a takedown, you must control your opponent for over three seconds and be on top of them in an advantageous position.

Points are awarded for striking your opponent with punches and kicks or inflicting damage through joint locks or chokes. If neither competitor scores anything significant during the round, then they will each get 10 points.

A 10-10 round would mean both fighters went all out in an even fight and achieved dominance in some way throughout the match up but never managed to have total control for three seconds without interruption from their opponent – which would not warrant them 10/10 points under any circumstance as this would be considered uneventful fighting as described above.

Video Credits: Fighttips YT Channel

How Is MMA Scored? An In-Depth Look: The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts

The Unified Rules address four different areas: weight classes, time limits, rounds & intervals, and fouls & consequences. The following sections will break down each area individually. Mixed Martial Arts is divided into two weight classes – Flyweight (under 125 lbs) and Bantamweight (125 lbs – 135 lbs). At the weigh- in event before the fight begins, fighters are allowed to weigh in no more than one pound over their division’s limit.

If a fighter is over that limit at the weigh in, they must cut the excess pounds before stepping into the octagon for their fight. Once an opponent is determined for a mixed martial artist, his or her gloves are inspected by an inspector from Ringside Doctors who then determines whether or not it meets specifications to be used during competition.

How Illegal blows affect the Scoring?

Illegal blows can affect the scoring in a fight. A fighter is deducted points if they commit an illegal blow and the fight continues, but it’s worth noting that there are exceptions to this rule. Illegal blows include, but are not limited to: 

  1. Strikes to the back of the head; 
  2.  Strikes to a downed opponent
  3.  Strikes with elbows while standing over an opponent
  4. Punches with closed fists from above which connect from downward angles
  5.  Punches with clenched fists from a side angle which connect at upward angles.

Illegal blows should be taken into account when scoring fights. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

How Is MMA Scored? An In-Depth Look: The Grading Criteria

A round is judged on a 10 point must system. The Grading Criteria are broken down by assessing each fighter’s performance and awarding points accordingly. There are three possible ways to win: knockout, submission, or judges’ decision. 

Each judge gives the winner of the round 10 points, with the loser receiving 9 or less depending on how much they outscored their opponent. If one fighter completely dominates their opponent in all areas (including striking, grappling, control of the ring/cage), they will receive an additional 2-3 points.

Let’s take an example.

Take a fight between Fighter A and Fighter B on a panel of three judge.

  • Unanimous decision: all three judges scored a win for fighter A. Let’s take a three-round fight as an example. The first judge scored the fight 28-23 (10-8, 9-8, 9-7), the second judge scored it 30-26 (10-9, 10-8, 10-9), and the third judge scored it 29-28 (10-9, 10-9, 9-10).
  • Majority decision: two judges scored a win for fighter A and the third one scored it a draw. If the first judge scored it 28-23, the second one also scored it 30-27, but the third one scored it 28-28 (e.g., 10-9, 8-10, 10-9).
  • Split decision: two judges scored it a win for fighter A and one judge scored it a win for fighter B. As an example, let’s take a five-round fight. Scores might be something like: 48-47 (10-9, 10-9, 9-10, 9-10, 10-9), 49-46 (10-9, 10-9, 9-10, 10-9, 10-9) and 47-48 (10-9, 10-9, 9-10, 9-10, 9-10).
  • Technical decision: a very rare case when one fighter is unable to continue because of an unintentional illegal shot. The fight is stopped and goes to the judges.
  • Unanimous draw: all three judges scored the bout as a draw. P.e., all three cards were 28-28 (10-9, 10-9, 8-10).
  • Majority draw🙁 more like a voting), but the third judge scored it a win for one of the fighters. P.eThe fight was scored 28-28, 28-28, and the last judge scored it a win for either of the fighters.
  • Split draw: one judge scored it a win for fighter A, one judge scored it a win for fighter B, and the third judge scored it a draw.
  • Technical draw: the fight ends in the same manner as in the above-mentioned technical decision scenario, prematurely, but the judges scored it as a draw.

This is how the judges score the fighting in all aspects or forms of the game. These are the mma judging criteria 2022This is how the scoring is calculated in MMA .

Conclusion 

 Judges look at two things when scoring a fight: impact and aggressiveness. Judges award fighters who are more aggressive with powerful blows the most points. 

A point is deducted every time a fighter is hit by an opponent or they lose initiative in the match. 

The fighter with the most points after all rounds have ended wins the match. In order to better understand the scoring system for MMA fights, it’s important to also understand what it looks like for a judge to score a round of combat. 

For this example let’s say that you’re fighting in the Welterweight division against another fighter. 

At the end of Round One there are three scores awarded on how each person fought – 10-9 (in favor of you), 10-10 (in favor of your opponent), and 9-9 (a tie). 

It’s not uncommon for this to happen because there could be more action than expected between both competitors during one round so neither scored higher than 9 points.

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