How does the UFC scoring system work?

The purpose of the UFC scoring system is to determine the winner of a fight in the event that there is no knockout or submission. Over the years, the criteria for UFC scoring have been modified, with the current version giving priority to damage over other factors.

Judges are anticipated to use it as a basis for determining the winner of each round, taking into consideration the most important scoring criteria. However, what are the additional criteria? In fact, what is the system’s internal functioning?

Understanding the Scoring System in UFC

Ideally, every fighter’s goal is to secure a victory through either a knockout or submission in their fight. A finish eliminates the possibility of judges making a wrong decision. However, it is not always feasible to achieve a finish. Therefore, UFC fighters remain cautious of the three judges who observe their performances at ringside.

The judges’ decision is required after 15 minutes for non-main events and/or non-title fights, and 25 minutes for main event and/or title fights. The scoring system used by the promotion follows the Unified Rules of MMA, which relies on points to determine the winner of a bout. The fighter with the highest number of points at the end of a match is declared the victor.

This is based on a 10-point scoring system where a winner is expected in each round. It is highly uncommon for rounds to result in a draw with a score of 9-9. Therefore, close rounds, as well as majority of the rounds, are typically scored as 10-9, with the victorious fighter receiving 10 points and the defeated fighter receiving 9 points.

Nevertheless, extreme cases of domination can result in 10-8 rounds. This typically occurs when a fighter gets knocked down or is significantly hurt, while also failing to land significant offensive strikes compared to their opponent.

In rare instances, a fighter’s domination can reach the almost legendary level of 10-7, a feat that has only been achieved four times in the history of the UFC. One such example is Ilia Topuria’s fourth-round domination of Josh Emmett.

The Scoring System in UFC Fights

Judges are advised to prioritize assessing damage over other factors. However, this can pose a challenge at times as damage may not always be apparent, particularly in closely-contested fights where there are no obvious cuts, bruises, blood, or knockdowns. Nevertheless, judges frequently consider strikes that visibly impact an opponent.

For instance, a light kick that barely touches an adversary’s leg is deemed significantly less harmful than a powerful overhand right that connects solidly, potentially resulting in a knockdown, staggering, or at least evident harm. These are commonly referred to as ‘effective strikes.’

Another significant aspect that judges take into account is the volume of strikes. This refers to the quantity of strikes a fighter successfully lands compared to their opponent. If a fighter manages to outstrike their opponent, meaning they land more strikes, they have a higher chance of winning the round, unless they are rocked or knocked down.

In addition to striking, MMA also involves wrestling and grappling. These are important components of the sport, as effective grappling involves executing takedowns and achieving dominant positions in order to ultimately win a fight. This is another example of the importance of striking in MMA.

Ground-and-pound, also known as effective striking on the mat, was first introduced by Mark Coleman and is an effective way to inflict damage. In addition, submission attempts play a crucial role in effective grappling and can help improve one’s dominant position, such as transitioning from top half-guard to full mount.

Lastly, but to a lesser extent, octagon control is a factor in the scoring criteria. This involves dominating the center of the octagon and dictating the location of striking exchanges and grappling exchanges.

The process of selecting judges and the qualifications required

Despite some conspiracy theories, the UFC does not choose judges for its events. Instead, the athletic commission of the American state where the event is being held is responsible for selecting judges. Similarly, for international events, the governing sports body of the host country will appoint judges.

Nevertheless, there are specific requirements that judges must fulfill in order to be eligible to determine the victors in fights. These requirements include having at least five years of experience in MMA, which is necessary before they can preside over a UFC match. Additionally, possessing a considerable understanding of the sport is another crucial criterion.

It is necessary for judges to possess knowledge of a diverse range of techniques utilized in MMA, including takedowns, strikes, and submissions.

Why is UFC scoring a topic of debate?

Despite the UFC scoring system being comprehensive, there have been numerous contentious scorecards throughout the promotion’s history. Some have even been criticized as being unfair. This is mainly due to the subjectivity of certain scoring criteria.

Octagon control or control time on the mat may hold greater significance for certain judges. In other scenarios, the opinions of commentators from previous events may sway the judges’ decisions.

One notable instance is when Dominick Cruz faced criticism for his belief that a cut sustained in the first round could potentially impact the scoring in the third round if it continued to bleed.

Despite this, the amount of blood lost by a fighter after sustaining a wound is not taken into consideration. As a result, there are often contentious scorecards, with Derek Cleary gaining notoriety for his widely criticized rulings.