When a fight goes the distance, three judges decide it. Each judge scores every round separately using the 10-point must system.
How a round is scored
The winner of a round gets 10 points and the loser 9 or fewer. A close, competitive round is 10-9. A round where one fighter dominates, with clear damage or control, can be 10-8. A 10-7 is rare and reserved for overwhelming rounds. Point deductions for fouls come off the total.
What judges look for
Under the Unified Rules, judges first consider effective striking and grappling: impact and damage, takedowns, submission attempts and reversals that change the fight. Only if that is even do they look at effective aggressiveness, and then fighting area control.
Round lengths
Non-title UFC fights are three rounds of five minutes. Title fights and main events are five rounds of five minutes.
Types of decision
- Unanimous: all three judges pick the same winner.
- Split: two judges pick one fighter, one picks the other.
- Majority: two pick one fighter and the third scores it a draw.
- Draw: the totals leave no winner.
Worked example: UFC 332
Natalia Silva‘s women’s flyweight title fight against Wang Cong at UFC 332 went five rounds and was scored 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 for Silva. A 48-47 card means the judge gave Silva three rounds (10-9 each) and Wang two; a 49-46 card means four rounds to one. All three judges agreed on the winner, so it was a unanimous decision.
| Card | Rounds for Silva | Rounds for Wang | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judge 1 | 3 | 2 | 48-47 |
| Judge 2 | 3 | 2 | 48-47 |
| Judge 3 | 4 | 1 | 49-46 |
Decisions explained
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Unanimous decision | All three judges score the fight for the same fighter |
| Split decision | Two judges for one fighter, one for the other |
| Majority decision | Two judges for one fighter, one scores a draw |
| Draw | Equal totals, or other combinations that produce no winner |
The same system is used in boxing; in both sports, 10-8 rounds are reserved for dominant rounds.
FAQ
What is a 10-8 round in MMA?
A round in which one fighter dominates, usually with significant damage or control, so the judge takes two points from the loser instead of one.
How long is a UFC title fight?
Five rounds of five minutes each.