🥋Rules MMA

MMA (mixed martial arts) is a full-contact combat sport in which two fighters compete inside a cage (octagon) or ring. It blends striking techniques (boxing, kickboxing) with wrestling and ground grappling (wrestling, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu). The fight can take place both standing and on the ground.

Defeat the opponent by ending the fight early (KO, submission, referee stoppage) or, failing that, by winning the judges' decision after the scheduled rounds.

• •The fight happens both standing (striking) and on the ground (wrestling, submissions).
• •You can win early by KO, referee stoppage (TKO) or submission (the opponent gives up by tapping).
• •If the fight goes the distance, three judges decide the winner.
• •Tapping the mat with a hand (or foot) means submission: the fight stops immediately.
• •Some targets and strikes are forbidden (eyes, back of the head, throat, groin).
• •The referee may stop the fight at any time to protect a fighter.

Each round is scored separately under the 10-Point Must System: the round winner receives 10 points and the loser 9 or fewer (an even round may be scored 10-10). Judges prioritize effective striking and grappling, then effective aggressiveness, then control of the fighting area. A fighter who does not finish early wins if the majority of judges award them the higher total.

A regular bout is 3 rounds of 5 minutes; a championship or main-event bout is 5 rounds of 5 minutes. A one-minute rest separates rounds. Duration can vary by federation and format (notably in amateur competition).

You win by KO, by referee stoppage (TKO), by submission, by the opponent's disqualification, or by judges' decision. A bout may also be ruled a draw or a no contest.