Mixed martial arts rules
Encyclopedia
Most rule sets for mixed martial arts
competitions have evolved since the early days of vale tudo
. As the knowledge about fighting techniques spread among fighters and spectators, it became clear that the original minimalist rule systems needed to be amended. As rules evolved and regulations added, different branches of mixed martial arts have emerged, with differences between the different rulesets dictating different strategies. Similarly, shoot wrestling
organizations, such as Shooto
, expanded their rulesets to integrate elements of vale tudo into their sport. However, for the most part, fighters accustomed to one ruleset can easily acclimate to a different ruleset, as the basics of fighting remain largely the same.
The most prevalent rule-set in the world being used currently is the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, a set of rules that has been adopted by all state athletic commissions in the United States that regulate mixed martial arts and is used most notably in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
. The Unified Rules are the de facto rules for mixed martial arts in the United States
, and have been adopted by other promotions and jurisdictions worldwide. Other notable sets include Shooto's, which were the first to mandate padded gloves, and PRIDE rules, after PRIDE Fighting Championships, which were also adopted by other promotions worldwide.
Weight classes emerged when knowledge about submission holds spread. When more fighters became well-versed in submission techniques and avoiding submissions
Headbutt
s were prohibited because it was a technique that required little effort and could quickly turn the match into a bloody mess. Headbutting was common among wrestlers because their skill in takedowns allowed them to quickly transfer bouts to the ground where they could assault opponents with headbutts while not being required to alter their position.
Small, open-finger gloves
were introduced to protect fists in punches while still allowing for effective grappling. Gloves were first mandatory in Japan's Shooto league, but are now mandatory in matches for nearly every promotion. Although some fighters may have well conditioned fists, others may not. The small bones in an unprotected and unconditioned fist are prone to break when it hits a torso or forehead with power. Gloves also reduce the occurrence of cuts (and stoppages due to cuts) and encourage fighters to use their hands for striking, both of which enable more captivating matches.
Time limits were established to avoid long fights on the ground with little perceivable action. No time limit matches also complicated the airing of live events. Similar motivations produced the "stand up" rule, where the referee can stand fighters up if it is perceived both are resting on the ground or are not advancing toward a dominant position.
, voted unanimously in favor of regulations that later became the foundation for the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. However when the legislation was sent to California's capital for review, it was determined that the sport fell outside the jurisdiction of the CSAC, rendering the vote superfluous.
In September 2000, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board
began to allow mixed martial arts promoters to conduct events in New Jersey. The intent was to allow the NJSACB to observe actual events and gather information to establish a comprehensive set of rules to effectively regulate the sport.
On April 3, 2001, the NJSACB held a meeting to discuss the regulation of mixed martial arts events. This meeting attempted to unify the myriad of rules and regulations which have been utilized by the different mixed martial arts organizations. At this meeting, the proposed uniform rules were agreed upon by the NJSACB, several other regulatory bodies, numerous promoters of mixed martial arts events and other interested parties in attendance. At the conclusion of the meeting, all parties in attendance were able to agree upon a uniform set of rules to govern the sport of mixed martial arts.
The rules adopted by the NJSACB have become the de facto standard set of rules for professional mixed martial arts across North America. All state, provincial, & municipal athletic commissions that regulate mixed martial arts have assimilated these rules into their existing unarmed combat competition rules and statutes. For a promotion to hold mixed martial arts events in a sanctioned venue, the promotion must abide by the commission's body of rules.
On July 30, 2009, a motion was made at the annual meeting of the Association of Boxing Commissions
to adopt these rules as the "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts". The motion passed unanimously.
or long pants (including gi pants) are not allowed. Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab. A mouthguard and protective cup
are also required and is checked by a State Athletic Committee official before being allowed to enter the cage/ring.
is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points. In New Jersey
, the fewest points a fighter can receive is 7.
When a foul is charged, the referee in their discretion may deduct one or more points as a penalty. If a foul incapacitates a fighter, then the match may end in a disqualification if the foul was intentional, or a no contest if unintentional. If a foul causes a fighter to be unable to continue later in the bout, it ends with a technical decision win to the injured fighter if the injured fighter is ahead on points, otherwise it is a technical draw.
parts of their body but you can not wear a gi top, gi pants, wrestling shoes, kneepads, elbow pads, shin guards or ankle supports.
If a fight is stopped on advice of the ring doctor after an accidental but illegal action, e.g., a clash of heads, and the contest is in its second or third round, the match will be decided by the judges using the same criteria.
to the head and face to be fouls.
In the event that a fighter is injured by illegal actions, then at the discretion of the referee and ring doctor, the round is resumed after enough time has been given for the fighter to recover. If the match cannot be continued due to the severity of the injury then the fighter who perpetrated the action will be disqualified.
PRIDE discontinued Bushido events in late-2006 and their rules were last used for lightweight and welterweight fights at PRIDE Shockwave 2006
. As the lightweight and welterweight divisions will now be on the main PRIDE shows, the rules for the lighter classes are also changing to reflect standard PRIDE rules.
is used, but with tighter ropes and sometimes a barrier underneath the lowest rope to keep grappling athletes from rolling out of the ring. The usage of the ring in these countries is derived from the history of Vale Tudo
, Japanese pro-wrestling
and other MMA related sports such as kickboxing
.
The choice of cage or ring is more than aesthetic however, as it impacts the type of strategies that a fighter can implement. For example, a popular and effective strategy in a cage is to pin an opponent into the area where the fence meets the mat, and then pummel him with strikes. Randy Couture
is well known for this tactic. Defensively, the cage is often used as support to fend off take-down attempts, or as a support to get from underneath and opponent (known as "walking up the cage"). These positions are not possible in a roped ring. On the other hand, the roped ring can result in entangled limbs and fighters falling through the ropes, requiring the referee to sometimes stop the fight and reposition the fighters in the center, as well as carrying the possibility for either fighter to sustain an injury. In either a cage or ring, a fighter is not allowed to grab the fence or ropes. Some critics feel that the appearance of fighting in a cage contributes to a negative image of MMA in popular media.
The following table shows what each MMA organization uses:
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Organization
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Cage or Ring
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Primary Event Location
|-align=center
|UFC
|8 Sided Cage
|
USA
|-align=center
|WEC
|8 Sided Cage
| USA
|-align=center
|Strikeforce
|6 Sided Cage
| USA
|-align=center
|Bellator FC
|Circular Cage
| USA
|-align=center
|King of the Cage
|8 Sided Cage
| USA
|-align=center
|EliteXC
|8 Sided Cage
| USA
|-align=center
|Affliction Entertainment
|Ring
| USA
|-align=center
|IFL
|Ring
| USA
|-align=center
|XFC
|8 Sided Cage
| USA
|-align=center
|Dream
|Ring
|
Japan
|-align=center
|World Victory Road
|Ring
| Japan
|-align=center
|Pride FC
|Ring
| Japan
|-align=center
|ZST
|Ring
| Japan
|-align=center
|DEEP
|Ring
| Japan
|-align=center
|K-1 Hero's
|Ring
| Japan
|-align=center
|MFC
|Ring
|
Canada
|-align=center
|KSW
|Ring
|
Poland
|-align=center
|Cage Rage
|9 Sided Cage
| UK
|-align=center
|BAMMA
|8 Sided Cage
| UK
|-align=center
|M-1 Global
|Ring
|
Russia / 
Europe
|-align=center
|CFC
|6 Sided Cage
|
Australia
|-align=center
|Legend FC
|Ring
|
Hong Kong
|-align=center
|EFC Africa
|6 Sided Cage
|
South Africa
|-align=center
|Art of War FC
|Ring
|
China
|-align=center
|URCC
|Ring
|
Philippines
|-align=center
|ADFC
|Circular Cage
|
United Arab Emirates
|-align=center
|RESPECT.FC
|Ring
|
Germany
|-align=center
|Jungle Fight
|Ring
|
Brazil
|-align=center
In Japan and Europe, there is no regulating authority over MMA competitions, so these organizations have greater freedom in rules development and event structure.
In general, a balanced set of rules with some organization-specific variances has been established and is widely used, and major rule changes are unlikely, allowing for fighters in one organization to transition to others easily.
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
competitions have evolved since the early days of vale tudo
Vale tudo
Vale tudo are full-contact unarmed combat events, with a limited number of rules, that became popular in Brazil during the 20th century. Vale tudo has been considered a combat sport by some observers...
. As the knowledge about fighting techniques spread among fighters and spectators, it became clear that the original minimalist rule systems needed to be amended. As rules evolved and regulations added, different branches of mixed martial arts have emerged, with differences between the different rulesets dictating different strategies. Similarly, shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling is a combat sport that has its origins in Japan's professional wrestling circuit of the 1970s. Professional wrestlers of that era attempted to utilize more realistic or "full contact" moves in their matches to increase their excitement...
organizations, such as Shooto
Shooto
Shooto is a mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, as an organization and as a particular fighting system derived from shoot wrestling. Practitioners are referred to as shooters,...
, expanded their rulesets to integrate elements of vale tudo into their sport. However, for the most part, fighters accustomed to one ruleset can easily acclimate to a different ruleset, as the basics of fighting remain largely the same.
The most prevalent rule-set in the world being used currently is the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, a set of rules that has been adopted by all state athletic commissions in the United States that regulate mixed martial arts and is used most notably in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
. The Unified Rules are the de facto rules for mixed martial arts in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and have been adopted by other promotions and jurisdictions worldwide. Other notable sets include Shooto's, which were the first to mandate padded gloves, and PRIDE rules, after PRIDE Fighting Championships, which were also adopted by other promotions worldwide.
Evolution
Some main motivations for these rule changes included:- Protection of the health of the fighters: This goal was partially motivated to clear the stigma of "barbaric, no rules, fighting-to-the-death" matches that MMA obtained because of its vale tudo and no holds barred roots. It also helps athletes avoid injuries which would otherwise hamper the training regimens that improve skill and ability and lead to better fights in the future.
- Providing spectacle for spectators.
Weight classes emerged when knowledge about submission holds spread. When more fighters became well-versed in submission techniques and avoiding submissions
Headbutt
Headbutt
A headbutt is a strike with the head, typically involving the use of robust parts of the cranium as areas of impact. Effective headbutting revolves around striking a sensitive area with a less sensitive area, such as striking the nose of an opponent with the forehead...
s were prohibited because it was a technique that required little effort and could quickly turn the match into a bloody mess. Headbutting was common among wrestlers because their skill in takedowns allowed them to quickly transfer bouts to the ground where they could assault opponents with headbutts while not being required to alter their position.
Small, open-finger gloves
MMA gloves
MMA gloves or grappling gloves are small, open-fingered gloves used in mixed martial arts bouts. They usually have around 4-6 oz of padding and are designed to provide some protection to the person wearing the glove, but leave the fingers available for grappling maneuvers such as clinch fighting...
were introduced to protect fists in punches while still allowing for effective grappling. Gloves were first mandatory in Japan's Shooto league, but are now mandatory in matches for nearly every promotion. Although some fighters may have well conditioned fists, others may not. The small bones in an unprotected and unconditioned fist are prone to break when it hits a torso or forehead with power. Gloves also reduce the occurrence of cuts (and stoppages due to cuts) and encourage fighters to use their hands for striking, both of which enable more captivating matches.
Time limits were established to avoid long fights on the ground with little perceivable action. No time limit matches also complicated the airing of live events. Similar motivations produced the "stand up" rule, where the referee can stand fighters up if it is perceived both are resting on the ground or are not advancing toward a dominant position.
Ways to victory
- KnockoutKnockoutA knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
(KO): as soon as a fighter becomes unconscious due to strikes, his opponent is declared the winner. As MMA rules allow ground fighting, the fight is stopped to prevent further injury to an unconscious fighter. - Technical Knockout (TKO)
- Referee Stoppage: the referee may stop a match in progress if:
- a fighter becomes dominant to the point where the opponent is unable to intelligently defend himself from attacks, which may occur as quickly as a few seconds;
- a fighter appears to have developed a severe injury: the referee will call for a time out if a fighter's ability to continue is in question as a result of apparent injuries, such as a large cut. The ring doctor will inspect the fighter and stop the match if the fighter is deemed unable to continue safely, rendering the opponent the winner. However, if the match is stopped as a result of an injury from illegal actions by the opponent, either a disqualification or no contest will be issued instead.
- Corner stoppage: a fighter's corner men may announce defeat on the fighter's behalf by throwing in the towel during the match in progress or between rounds.
- Retirement: if a fighter feels unable to continue after the conclusion of a round, s/he may inform or have the corner inform the referee that s/he forfeits the match to his opponent.
- Referee Stoppage: the referee may stop a match in progress if:
- SubmissionSubmission (combat sport term)A submission is a combat sports term for yielding to the opponent, and hence resulting in an immediate defeat...
: a fighter may admit defeat during a match by:- a tap on the opponent's body;
- a tap on the mat or floor;
- verbal announcement.
- Technical Submission: a referee may intervene and call a stop to the contest when:
- a fighter appears to be unconscious from a grappling hold;
- a fighter appears to have suffered a serious injury from a grappling hold.
- Decision: if the match goes the distance, then the outcome of the bout is determined by three judges. The judging criteria are organization-specific.
- Unanimous Decision: if all three judges on the panel score a bout unanimously in favor of one fighter
- Split Decision: if two judges on the panel score a bout in favor of one fighter, with one judge scoring the bout in favor of the other
- Majority Decision: if two judges on the panel score a bout in favor of one fighter, with one judge scoring the bout a draw
- Draw: if all three judges on the panel score a bout unanimously in favor of neither fighter.
- Split Draw: if one judge on the panel score a bout in favor of one fighter, the second in favor of his opponent, and the third in favor of neither fighter
- Majority Draw: if two judges score the bout a draw, with one judge scoring the bout in favor of one fighter
- Technical Decision: if a fighter behind or even on points commits an intentional foul during the course of the match, and the opponent is unable to continue due to the injury or injuries inflicted by the foul at any subsequent point in the fight, the match is stopped and awarded to injured fighter
- Technical Draw: if a fighter ahead on points commits an intentional foul during the course of the match, and the opponent is unable to continue due to the injury or injuries inflicted by the foul at any subsequent point in the fight, the match is stopped and awarded to injured fighter
- Forfeit: a fighter or his representative may forfeit a match prior to the beginning of the match, thereby losing the match.
- Disqualification: a "warning" will be given when a fighter commits a foul or illegal action or does not follow the referee's instruction. Three warnings will result in a disqualification. Moreover, if a fighter is injured and unable to continue due to a deliberate illegal technique from his opponent, the opponent will be disqualified.
- No Contest: in the event that both fighters commit a violation of the rules, or a fighter is unable to continue due to an injury from an accidental illegal technique, the match will be declared a "No Contest".
Fouls
The following acts are universally considered fouls in the mixed martial arts world:- Headbutting
- Eye gougingEye-gougingEye-gouging is the act of pressing or tearing the eye using the fingers, other bodyparts, or instruments. Eye-gouging involves a very high risk of eye injury, such as permanent eye loss. It is disallowed in combat sports, but some self-defense systems teach it...
- Hair pulling
- Spitting
- Biting
- Fish-hookingFish-hookingFish-hooking is the act of inserting a finger or fingers of one or both hands into the mouth, nostrils or other orifices of a person, and pulling away from the centerline of the body; in most cases with the intention of pulling, tearing, or lacerating the surrounding tissue. Forceful fish-hooking...
- Attacking the groin
- Strikes to the back of the head and spinal areaVertebral columnIn human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
(see rabbit punchRabbit punchA rabbit punch is a blow to the neck or to the base of the skull. It is considered especially dangerous because it can damage the cervical vertebrae and subsequently the spinal cord, which may lead to serious spinal cord injury or even death.-Boxing:...
) - Strikes to, or grabs of the tracheaVertebrate tracheaIn tetrapod anatomy the trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the pharynx or larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air. It is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium cells with goblet cells that produce mucus...
- Small joint manipulationSmall joint manipulationSmall joint manipulation, in grappling, refers to twisting, pulling or bending fingers or toes to cause joint locks in the various joints in those appendages...
(control of three or more fingers/toes is necessary) - Intentionally throwing your opponent out of the ring/cage
- Running out of the ring/cage
- Purposely holding the ring ropes or cage fence
- Grabbing or putting a hand inside the trunks or gloves of the opponent
- Pulling or holding onto an opponent's gloves or trunks
Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts
In April 2000, the California State Athletic CommissionCalifornia State Athletic Commission
The California State Athletic Commission regulates professional boxing, professional and amateur kickboxing and professional mixed martial arts throughout the State by licensing all participants and supervising the events....
, voted unanimously in favor of regulations that later became the foundation for the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. However when the legislation was sent to California's capital for review, it was determined that the sport fell outside the jurisdiction of the CSAC, rendering the vote superfluous.
In September 2000, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board
New Jersey State Athletic Control Board
The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board regulates all contests and exhibitions of unarmed combat within the state of New Jersey, including licensure and supervision of promoters, boxers, kickboxers, mixed martial arts fighters, seconds, ring officials, managers, and matchmakers...
began to allow mixed martial arts promoters to conduct events in New Jersey. The intent was to allow the NJSACB to observe actual events and gather information to establish a comprehensive set of rules to effectively regulate the sport.
On April 3, 2001, the NJSACB held a meeting to discuss the regulation of mixed martial arts events. This meeting attempted to unify the myriad of rules and regulations which have been utilized by the different mixed martial arts organizations. At this meeting, the proposed uniform rules were agreed upon by the NJSACB, several other regulatory bodies, numerous promoters of mixed martial arts events and other interested parties in attendance. At the conclusion of the meeting, all parties in attendance were able to agree upon a uniform set of rules to govern the sport of mixed martial arts.
The rules adopted by the NJSACB have become the de facto standard set of rules for professional mixed martial arts across North America. All state, provincial, & municipal athletic commissions that regulate mixed martial arts have assimilated these rules into their existing unarmed combat competition rules and statutes. For a promotion to hold mixed martial arts events in a sanctioned venue, the promotion must abide by the commission's body of rules.
On July 30, 2009, a motion was made at the annual meeting of the Association of Boxing Commissions
Association of Boxing Commissions
The Association of Boxing Commissions is a North American not for profit professional boxing and Mixed Martial Arts organization that provides a framework for undertaking boxing and MMA bouts and record keeping...
to adopt these rules as the "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts". The motion passed unanimously.
Rounds
Every round is 5 minutes in duration with a one minute rest period in-between rounds. Non-title matches must not exceed three rounds (The governing commission can grant dispensation for non-title five round bouts). Title matches can be sanctioned for five rounds.Attire
All competitors must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Shirts, gisKeikogi
or dōgi is a uniform for training, used in martial arts derived from Japan, or budō. . The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro...
or long pants (including gi pants) are not allowed. Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab. A mouthguard and protective cup
Jockstrap
A jockstrap is an undergarment designed for supporting the male genitalia during sports or other vigorous physical activity...
are also required and is checked by a State Athletic Committee official before being allowed to enter the cage/ring.
Judging criteria
The ten-point must system10-point must system
The 10-point must system is a method of scoring a fighting match .Under the system, the judges must give the winner of a round 10 points, and the loser 9 points or fewer...
is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points. In New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, the fewest points a fighter can receive is 7.
Fouls
As set out by the Association of Boxing Commissions:- Holding or grabbing the fence
- Holding opponent’s shorts or gloves
- Butting with the head
- Eye gouging of any kind
- Biting or spitting at an opponent
- Hair pulling
- Fish hooking
- Groin attacks of any kind
- Intentionally placing a finger into any orifice, or into any cut or laceration of your opponent
- Downward pointing of elbow strikes (see Elbow strike)
- Small joint manipulation
- Strikes to the spine or back of the head (see Rabbit punchRabbit punchA rabbit punch is a blow to the neck or to the base of the skull. It is considered especially dangerous because it can damage the cervical vertebrae and subsequently the spinal cord, which may lead to serious spinal cord injury or even death.-Boxing:...
) - Heel kicks to the kidney
- Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea
- Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh or grabbing the clavicle
- Kicking the head of a grounded opponent
- Kneeing the Head of a grounded opponent
- Stomping of a grounded fighter
- The use of abusive language in fighting area
- Any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to opponent
- Attacking an opponent on or during the break
- Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee
- Timidity (avoiding contact, or consistent dropping of mouthpiece, or faking an injury)
- Interference from a mixed martial artists secondsCornermanA cornerman, or simply corner, is a combat sports term for a coach or team mate assisting a fighter during the length of a bout. The cornerman remains outside the combat area during the fight, but in proximity, and can assist the fighter through instruction...
- Throwing an opponent out of the ring or caged area
- Flagrant disregard of the referee’s instructions
- Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his or her head or neck (see PiledriverPiledriver (professional wrestling)A piledriver is a professional wrestling driver move in which the wrestler grabs his opponent, turns him upside-down, and drops into a sitting or kneeling position, driving the opponent head-first into the mat. The most common piledrivers are the basic belly-to-back, or Texas piledriver, and the...
) - Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat
When a foul is charged, the referee in their discretion may deduct one or more points as a penalty. If a foul incapacitates a fighter, then the match may end in a disqualification if the foul was intentional, or a no contest if unintentional. If a foul causes a fighter to be unable to continue later in the bout, it ends with a technical decision win to the injured fighter if the injured fighter is ahead on points, otherwise it is a technical draw.
Medical Requirements
- Contestants shall complete all pre-licensure medical examinations and tests required by the jurisdiction licensing the contest.
- The jurisdiction licensing the contest shall conduct or supervise all pre-contest weigh-ins and may hold or supervise a rules meeting for all contestants and their cornermen.
- Post-Contest medical examination.
- Immediately following a contest, each contestant shall be given a medical examination by a physician appointed by the commission. The medical examination may include any examinations or tests the commission deems necessary to determine the post-contest physical fitness of a contestant.
- Any contestant who refuses to submit to a post-contest medical examination shall be immediately suspended for an indefinite period.
Prohibited Substances
- Use of Prohibited Substances
- The use of any illegal drug, narcotic, stimulant, depressant, or analgesic of any description, or alcohol substance, by a contestant either before or during a match, shall result in the immediate disqualification of the contestant from the match and disciplinary action in accordance with the commission licensing the contest.
- Detection of Prohibited Substances
- In order to detect the presence of any prohibited substance, a contestant shall submit to any pre-contest or post-contest urinalysis or other laboratory procedure that is ordered by the physician appointed by the commission. Refusal to submit to such testing shall result in the immediate disqualification of the contestant from the match and an indefinite suspension from the sport of mixed martial arts.
- Urinalysis:
- All contestants may be ordered to complete a pre-contest urinalysis exam to detect the presence of any drug.
- In addition to a pre-contest analysis, the local commission may, at its discretion, decide to test for the presence of performance enhancing drugs and thereby require additional urine specimens to be produced at any time after the completion of the contest.
- Collection of specimens for urinalysis testing shall be conducted or supervised by a commission official. Refusal to submit to such testing shall result in the immediate disqualification of the contestant from the match and an indefinite suspension from the sport of mixed martial arts.
PRIDE Fighting Championships (defunct)
Historically, PRIDE's rules differed between main PRIDE events and Bushido events. However, it was announced on November 29, 2006, that Bushido events would be discontinued. When holding events in the US, PRIDE abided by the Unified Rules, but added the prohibition against elbows to the head.Rounds
The first round is ten minutes in duration and the second and third rounds are five minutes in duration. There is a two minute rest period between each round. Grand Prix matches are two rounds in length if more than one round is scheduled on one night.Attire
PRIDE allows fighters latitude in their choice of attire but open finger gloves, a mouthguard and a protective cup are mandatory. It is within a fighter's discretion to tapeAdhesive tape
Adhesive tape is one of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Several types of adhesives can be used.-Types:Pressure sensitive tape...
parts of their body but you can not wear a gi top, gi pants, wrestling shoes, kneepads, elbow pads, shin guards or ankle supports.
Judging criteria
If the match reaches its time limit then the outcome of the bout is determined by the three judges. The fight is scored in its entirety and not round-by-round. After the conclusion of the bout, each judge must decide a winner. Matches cannot end in a draw. A decision is made according to the following criteria in this order of priority:- the effort made to finish the fight via KO or submission,
- damage given to the opponent,
- standing combinations and ground control,
- takedowns and takedown defense,
- aggressiveness, and
- weight (in the case that the weight difference is 10 kg/22 lb or more).
If a fight is stopped on advice of the ring doctor after an accidental but illegal action, e.g., a clash of heads, and the contest is in its second or third round, the match will be decided by the judges using the same criteria.
Legal techniques
PRIDE allowed the following techniques:- Stomps to a grounded opponent.
- Soccer kicks to the head of a grounded opponent.
- Knees to the head of a grounded opponent.
Fouls
In addition to the common fouls, PRIDE Fighting Championships considers elbow strikesElbow (strike)
An elbow strike is a strike with the point of the elbow, the part of the forearm nearest to the elbow, or the part of the upper arm nearest to the elbow...
to the head and face to be fouls.
In the event that a fighter is injured by illegal actions, then at the discretion of the referee and ring doctor, the round is resumed after enough time has been given for the fighter to recover. If the match cannot be continued due to the severity of the injury then the fighter who perpetrated the action will be disqualified.
General conduct
- If both fighters are on the verge of falling out of the ring or become entangled in the ropes, the referee will stop the action. The fighters must immediately stop their movements and will then be repositioned in the center of the ring in the same position. Once they are comfortably repositioned, they resume at the referee's instruction.
- If fighters commit the following actions, they shall be given a yellow card by officials: Stalling or failure to initiate any offensive attack, making no attempt to finalize the match or damage the opponent, and holding the opponent's body with the arms and legs to produce a stalemate. A yellow card results in a 10% deduction/fine of the fighter's fight purse.
Bushido rules
PRIDE Bushido events instituted distinct variations to the full PRIDE rules:- Bushido bouts consist of two rounds; the first lasting ten minutes and the second lasting five. Intermissions between each round remain two minutes in length.
- In full PRIDE rules, a total of three yellow cards results in a red card (disqualification). In Bushido, yellow cards can be given out in an unlimited number without disqualification.
PRIDE discontinued Bushido events in late-2006 and their rules were last used for lightweight and welterweight fights at PRIDE Shockwave 2006
PRIDE Shockwave 2006
Pride Shockwave 2006 was a mixed martial arts event held by Pride Fighting Championships on December 31, 2006. In Japan, this event was called...
. As the lightweight and welterweight divisions will now be on the main PRIDE shows, the rules for the lighter classes are also changing to reflect standard PRIDE rules.
Shooto
- Uses A, B, and C levels. The C level is considered for amateurs only.
- Every level has its own rules and restrictions.
- The C level rules require headgear to be worn and prohibit striking on the ground.
- In case of a knockdown (when any part of a competitor's body touches the mat solely as the result of a strike) the referee will perform a 10-count. The competitor has until the count of 10 to return to a standing position. Three knock downs in a single round will end the bout. There is also a mandatory standing 8-count.
ZST
- Uses two 5-minute rounds.
- Does not use judges. The fight is declared a draw if there is no KO, TKO, Submission.
- Allows elbow and knee strikes only if they are covered by padding.
- Does not allow attacking head with strikes when one fighter is in downed position.
K-1 Hero's
(defunct)- Uses two 5-minute rounds, with an extra round option should the judges be unable to determine a clear winner of the fight.
- Prohibits elbow strikes to the head, kicking by a fighter in the standing position to the face and head of a fighter in the ground position (When both fighters are in the ground position, kicking to the face and head of the opponent fighter is allowed). Knee kicking to the face and head of a fighter in the state of any ground position including 4-point position etc. is also illegal.
- Has moved to a tournament format similar to that seen in K-1K-1K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
, with an eight man tournament. However, the final matches are not decided on the same evening, but at later events.
Cage or ring
MMA is often referred to as "cage fighting" in the US as it is associated with the UFC's octagonal caged fighting area. Most major MMA promotions in the US, Canada and Britain use the "cage" as a result of directly evolving from the first UFC events. There are variations on the cage such as replacing the metal fencing with a net, or using a different shape for the area other than an octagon, as the term "The Octagon" is trademarked by the UFC (though the 8-sided shape itself is not trademarked). In Japan, Brazil and some European countries such as the Netherlands an area similar to a standard boxing ringBoxing ring
A boxing ring is the space in which a boxing match occurs. A modern ring, which is set on a raised platform, is square with a post at each corner to which four parallel rows of ropes are attached with a turnbuckle...
is used, but with tighter ropes and sometimes a barrier underneath the lowest rope to keep grappling athletes from rolling out of the ring. The usage of the ring in these countries is derived from the history of Vale Tudo
Vale tudo
Vale tudo are full-contact unarmed combat events, with a limited number of rules, that became popular in Brazil during the 20th century. Vale tudo has been considered a combat sport by some observers...
, Japanese pro-wrestling
Professional wrestling in Japan
Puroresu is the popular term for the predominant style or genre of professional wrestling that has developed in Japan. The term comes from the Japanese pronunciation of "professional wrestling" , which is shortened to puroresu . The term became popular among English-speaking fans due to Hisaharu...
and other MMA related sports such as kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
.
The choice of cage or ring is more than aesthetic however, as it impacts the type of strategies that a fighter can implement. For example, a popular and effective strategy in a cage is to pin an opponent into the area where the fence meets the mat, and then pummel him with strikes. Randy Couture
Randy Couture
Randy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
is well known for this tactic. Defensively, the cage is often used as support to fend off take-down attempts, or as a support to get from underneath and opponent (known as "walking up the cage"). These positions are not possible in a roped ring. On the other hand, the roped ring can result in entangled limbs and fighters falling through the ropes, requiring the referee to sometimes stop the fight and reposition the fighters in the center, as well as carrying the possibility for either fighter to sustain an injury. In either a cage or ring, a fighter is not allowed to grab the fence or ropes. Some critics feel that the appearance of fighting in a cage contributes to a negative image of MMA in popular media.
The following table shows what each MMA organization uses:
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Organization
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Cage or Ring
|align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Primary Event Location
|-align=center
|UFC
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
|8 Sided Cage
|
USA|-align=center
|WEC
World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
|8 Sided Cage
|
USA|-align=center
|Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
|6 Sided Cage
|
USA|-align=center
|Bellator FC
Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. "Bellator", which is Latin for "Warrior", is organized into seasons with each event hosting the rounds of championship knockout tournaments for three-five weight divisions.-History:In its first season,...
|Circular Cage
|
USA|-align=center
|King of the Cage
King of the Cage
King of the Cage, also known as KOTC, is a mixed martial arts promotion based in Southern California, USA.-History:KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features up and coming MMA stars as well as experienced combat fighters....
|8 Sided Cage
|
USA|-align=center
|EliteXC
Elite Xtreme Combat
Elite Xtreme Combat, also known as EliteXC, was a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization owned and operated by ProElite. It was founded as a partnership between Showtime Networks and ProElite and officially announced on December 14, 2006. It was headquartered in Los Angeles, California.The...
|8 Sided Cage
|
USA|-align=center
|Affliction Entertainment
Affliction Entertainment
was an American mixed martial arts promotion company created by Affliction Clothing in 2008. The UFC prohibited its fighters from wearing Affliction clothing after learning Affliction was applying to become an MMA fight promotion. Donald Trump, who owned a significant equity stake in Affliction...
|Ring
|
USA|-align=center
|IFL
International Fight League
The International Fight League was an American mixed martial arts promotion billed as the world's first MMA league. It was founded on January 7, 2006 and closed on July 31, 2008...
|Ring
|
USA|-align=center
|XFC
XFC
Xtreme Fighting Championships is a United States mixed martial arts organization that has produced stadium fight cards in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee, runs MMA-themed gyms...
|8 Sided Cage
|
USA|-align=center
|Dream
DREAM (mixed martial arts)
Dream is a mixed martial arts organization promoted by former PRIDE FC executives and K-1 promoter Fighting and Entertainment Group. DREAM replaced FEG's previous-run mixed martial arts fight series, Hero's. The series retains many of the stylistic flourishes and personnel from Pride FC...
|Ring
|
Japan|-align=center
|World Victory Road
World Victory Road
World Victory Road is a defunct Japanese Mixed Martial Arts organization which promoted the Sengoku Raiden Championship in Japan. The organization was formed in 2007 following the purchase of Pride FC by Zuffa. It operated in conjunction with the Japan Mixed Martial Arts Federation...
|Ring
|
Japan|-align=center
|Pride FC
|Ring
|
Japan|-align=center
|ZST
ZST
ZST is a Japan-based promoting and sanctioning organization of mixed martial arts, and it also holds amateur MMA events. ZST adopts unique rules in the MMA industry. Much like RINGS, strikes to head on the ground are prohibited...
|Ring
|
Japan|-align=center
|DEEP
|Ring
|
Japan|-align=center
|K-1 Hero's
HERO'S
Hero's was a Japanese mixed martial arts promotion operated by Fighting and Entertainment Group, the parent entity behind kickboxing organization K-1. Grown from and branched off of K-1's earlier experiments in MMA, including the K-1 Romanex event and various MMA fights on its regular K-1...
|Ring
|
Japan|-align=center
|MFC
|Ring
|
Canada|-align=center
|KSW
Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, better known by its acronym, KSW, is widely considered to be the premiere mixed martial arts organization in Poland and one of the leading promotions in Europe. To date, most events have been hosted in Warsaw, Poland...
|Ring
|
Poland|-align=center
|Cage Rage
|9 Sided Cage
| UK
|-align=center
|BAMMA
BAMMA
The British Association of Mixed Martial Arts is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It is considered by many as the biggest MMA promotion in the country. It premièred on June 27, 2009 and was shown on the television channel Bravo...
|8 Sided Cage
| UK
|-align=center
|M-1 Global
M-1 Global
M-1 Global is the mixed martial arts promotion based in Russia - The Netherlands which organizes between 40 and 50 competitions per year...
|Ring
|
Russia / Europe|-align=center
|CFC
|6 Sided Cage
|
Australia|-align=center
|Legend FC
Legend Fighting Championship
Legend Fighting Championship is a Hong Kong-based mixed martial arts organization which invites national champion fighters from throughout the Asia-Pacific to compete for regional supremacy...
|Ring
|
Hong Kong|-align=center
|EFC Africa
|6 Sided Cage
|
South Africa|-align=center
|Art of War FC
Art of War Fighting Championship
The Art of War Fighting Championship is the primary Chinese professional mixed martial arts promotion based in Beijing, China. The Chinese title "英雄榜" literally translated means "Gathering of Heroes." Art of War FC has no relation to the defunct US MMA promotion Art of War Undisputed Arena...
|Ring
|
China|-align=center
|URCC
Universal Reality Combat Championship
Universal Reality Combat Championship is the first professional mixed martial arts event based in the Philippines. Its inaugural event was held at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Paranaque City, Philippines on November 23, 2002...
|Ring
|
Philippines|-align=center
|ADFC
Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship
is a mixed martial arts event initiated in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The promotion was initiated and organized by , a leading event management company in the region....
|Circular Cage
|
United Arab Emirates|-align=center
|RESPECT.FC
Respect Fighting Championship
Respect Fighting Championship is a mixed martial arts organization in Germany. It has won the GNP Award for the best German promotion in 2009 and 2010...
|Ring
|
Germany|-align=center
|Jungle Fight
|Ring
|
Brazil|-align=center
Government regulation
In the U.S., state athletic and boxing commissions have played a crucial role in the introduction of safety rules because they oversee MMA in similar ways as they do for boxing. Small shows usually use more restrictive rules because they have less experienced fighters who are looking to acquire experience and exposure that could ultimately lead them to getting recruited into one of the larger, better paying promotions.In Japan and Europe, there is no regulating authority over MMA competitions, so these organizations have greater freedom in rules development and event structure.
In general, a balanced set of rules with some organization-specific variances has been established and is widely used, and major rule changes are unlikely, allowing for fighters in one organization to transition to others easily.