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THE RULES OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
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. |
The following describes some rules commonly found in MMA competition today.
Ways to victor
- Knockout (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.
- Submission: a fighter may admit defeat during a match by:
- tapping three times on his opponent's body;
- tapping three times on the mat or floor;
- verbal announcement.
- 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 be unconscious from a grappling hold;
- a fighter appears to have developed significant injuries in the referee's view, such as a broken bone.
- Doctor Stoppage: 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. In order to avoid doctor stoppages, fighters employ cutmen, whose job is to treat cuts and hematomas between rounds to prevent them from becoming significant enough to cause a doctor stoppage.
- 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.
- Decision: if the match goes the distance, then the outcome of the bout is determined by three judges. The judging criteria are organization-specific.
- 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".
A fighter tapes his hands prior to putting gloves on.
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Fouls
The following acts are universally considered fouls in the mixed martial arts world:
HISTORY OF MMA | RULES | FIGHTING STRATEGIES | SAFETY
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