New to the UFC? Learn how fights are scored, what counts as a foul, and why weight cuts matter. This beginner’s guide breaks down the essential UFC rules clearly and simply.
Introduction
Embed from Getty ImagesThe crowd is roaring. The cage door clangs shut. Two fighters touch gloves, and the matchup is underway.
But hidden behind every punch, takedown, or attempt at submission is a strict set of UFC rules, which will unfold the nature of the outcome, depending on each fight.
If you’ve watched a UFC fight before and thought, “Why did the referee stop the fight?”, or, “How did that fighter win when it looked tired?” — you aren’t alone.
This guide lays out all the critical UFC rules; scoring, fouls, and why the weight cut is so important.
Understanding UFC Scoring: How Judges Decide Who Wins
One of the most misunderstood categories in UFC fights is scoring. While fans are looking at aggression and power, judges are looking at technical performances based on strict standards.
1. The 10-Point Must System
Each round is scored using a 10-Point Must System in which the winner earns 10 points and their opponent earns a total of 9 points or less. If a round is at a score of 10-8, it generally reflects that one fighter thoroughly dominated the other. A draw (10-10) round happens seldomly and means that both fighters performed equally well.
2. UFC Scoring Criteria
Judges consider three areas of performance — effective striking & grappling, aggression, and Octagon control.
Effective scoring, which includes clean and damaging strikes or successful takedowns, scores better than simply being active; the intent is to reward a fighter who delivers a more effective offense versus simply delivering more offense.
3. Types of UFC Decisions
Not every fight is finished by knockouts. If a fight goes to the distance, it’s settled on the judges’ scorecards. A fight could go to a unanimous, split, or majority decision, or it could even end in a draw. Any decimal, even just one point, could mean the difference between winning and losing the match.
UFC Fouls: What Fighters Can and Cannot Do
To keep the competition fair and safe, the UFC enforces clear fouls. Breaking these rules can lead to penalties, point deductions, or even disqualification.
1. Common Fouls
In fighting, some moves are strictly off-limits. These include things like eye pokes, groin strikes, headbutts, and hitting the back of the head. Grabbing the fence, kneeing or kicking a grounded opponent in the head, and twisting fingers or toes are also illegal.
2. What Happens After a Foul?
Referees have the ability to issue a warning, take points away, or stop the fight altogether. Deductions for points in a close game can change the outcome significantly – a reminder that control and discipline are just as valuable as skill.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Weight Cut: The UFC’s Most Dangerous Battle
Before a punch is thrown, the fight begins on the scale. Weight cutting is a strategic and controversial part of the sport that tests physical and mental limits.
1. Why Fighters Cut Weight
Fighters will often purposely dehydrate themselves to make the lower divisions, thinking the weight cut would allow for strength gains when they are rehydrated. Certainly, cutting weight puts the body at the limits of human endurance.
2. UFC Weight Classes
Each division of the UFC has specific weight limits. Men’s divisions have weight classes of Flyweight (125 lbs) to Heavyweight (265 lbs) and Women’s divisions range from Strawweight (115 lbs) to Featherweight (145 lbs). These weight classes allow for comparable size while limiting matchup inequities.
3. The Dangers of Cutting Weight
The effects of rapid dehydration can lead to life-threatening events, including dizziness, fainting, or organ stress. While UFC fighters want to gain a competitive advantage, the weight cut can limit the fighter’s stamina and performance long after they arrive at their fight.
Bonus: How UFC Fights End — The Many Paths to Victory
Every fight can end in several ways, and understanding them adds excitement for fans watching every round.
1. Knockout and Technical Knockout
When a fighter becomes unconscious as a result of being struck, this is labeled as a knockout (KO). When a referee determines that one fighter can no longer defend themselves, this is labeled as a technical knockout (TKO).
2. Submission
When a fighter submits due to a choke or joint lock, either by verbally or physically signaling to the referee, this is called a submission. A submission is the result of a technical finish and tactical skill.
3. Decision, Disqualification, and No Contest
If a bout goes the distance, judges’ scorecards determine a winner. Disqualifications can happen as a result of deliberate fouls, while no contests can happen if due to an accidental foul the fight can not continue early on.
Embed from Getty ImagesConclusion: Respect the Rules, Respect the Fight
The UFC is not just about the power of punching and kicking; it’s about precise, controlled, and lawful striking. There is a method to the madness, as every punch, kick, takedown, and point scored is followed by a way to ensure that the match is fair and safe.
Knowing the scoring, fouls, and weight cuts to the UFC will allow you to understand the artistry going on within this chaos. The next time you sit down to watch a fight, you will know exactly what is happening from the first punch until the final decision.
