Mixed martial arts is no different from other sports in that the professional bouts are governed by a standard set of rules and regulations. The rules were put into place to lower a fighter's risk of injury as well as ensuring that each fight is as fair as possible in regards to judging, fighting weights and fighting maneuvers.
Organized MMA fighting has been part of the American sporting world since the first UFC fights in the early 1990s, but the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were not adopted officially until 2009. In the earliest days, rules were a bit sketchy and often set by the MMA organization holding the fight. Eventually, state athletic commissions stepped in and created their own sets of rules. In the end, the unified rules are basically the rules that were created by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.
There are many different categories of rules, such as determining weight classes for fighters. The men have nine weight classes, ranging from flyweight to super heavyweight. The flyweight is for fighters 125 pounds or lighter, and the super heavyweight fighters must be at least 265 pounds. Women also have weight classes and while the names are similar, the weights are different. For example, flyweights are fighters who weigh 95 pounds or less and female super heavyweights need only exceed 185 pounds.
The rules of MMA state that bouts consist of three to five rounds, lasting for five minutes with a one-minute break in between rounds. Non-title fights can last for three rounds, and title fights can last for five rounds. Each of these rounds MMA fights can end in several allowable ways. If the fighters make it through all of the rounds, the bout's winner is determined by the decision of three judges. A knockout is another way a fight ends, and this is exactly what it sounds like - one of the fighters has been knocked unconscious. A technical knockout is another way for a fight to end, and this usually means that the referee has ended the fight out of concern for the safety of one of the fighters.
While those first three are similar to boxing, MMA has a few extra ways that a fight can end. A submission is a common way in which a fight can end, and this simply means that a fighter cannot escape from a hold and sometimes the referee will end the fight and sometimes the fighter will tap the mat to end the fight. One more rare way a fight ends is by a no contest ruling, and this occurs when someone injures a fighter unintentionally using a move that is illegal or has taken an illegal substance and tests positive after the fight. It also can occur if both fighters violate the rules. A disqualification also can end a fight if one of the fighters receives three or more warnings during a bout.
There are many other rules that fighters must follow inside the cage, and these were put in place to protect fighters from serious injury. For instance, you will receive a warning from the referee for striking the back of your opponent's head or the spine. You also violate the rules for eye gouging, groin attacks, biting and fish hooking. Even spitting is not allowed and will get you a warning. Once your opponent is on the ground, you are not allowed to hit or knee them in the head. Faking injury or constantly avoiding contact also are not allowed, either, so once you are in the ring, you better be ready to fight.
Organized MMA fighting has been part of the American sporting world since the first UFC fights in the early 1990s, but the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were not adopted officially until 2009. In the earliest days, rules were a bit sketchy and often set by the MMA organization holding the fight. Eventually, state athletic commissions stepped in and created their own sets of rules. In the end, the unified rules are basically the rules that were created by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.
There are many different categories of rules, such as determining weight classes for fighters. The men have nine weight classes, ranging from flyweight to super heavyweight. The flyweight is for fighters 125 pounds or lighter, and the super heavyweight fighters must be at least 265 pounds. Women also have weight classes and while the names are similar, the weights are different. For example, flyweights are fighters who weigh 95 pounds or less and female super heavyweights need only exceed 185 pounds.
The rules of MMA state that bouts consist of three to five rounds, lasting for five minutes with a one-minute break in between rounds. Non-title fights can last for three rounds, and title fights can last for five rounds. Each of these rounds MMA fights can end in several allowable ways. If the fighters make it through all of the rounds, the bout's winner is determined by the decision of three judges. A knockout is another way a fight ends, and this is exactly what it sounds like - one of the fighters has been knocked unconscious. A technical knockout is another way for a fight to end, and this usually means that the referee has ended the fight out of concern for the safety of one of the fighters.
While those first three are similar to boxing, MMA has a few extra ways that a fight can end. A submission is a common way in which a fight can end, and this simply means that a fighter cannot escape from a hold and sometimes the referee will end the fight and sometimes the fighter will tap the mat to end the fight. One more rare way a fight ends is by a no contest ruling, and this occurs when someone injures a fighter unintentionally using a move that is illegal or has taken an illegal substance and tests positive after the fight. It also can occur if both fighters violate the rules. A disqualification also can end a fight if one of the fighters receives three or more warnings during a bout.
There are many other rules that fighters must follow inside the cage, and these were put in place to protect fighters from serious injury. For instance, you will receive a warning from the referee for striking the back of your opponent's head or the spine. You also violate the rules for eye gouging, groin attacks, biting and fish hooking. Even spitting is not allowed and will get you a warning. Once your opponent is on the ground, you are not allowed to hit or knee them in the head. Faking injury or constantly avoiding contact also are not allowed, either, so once you are in the ring, you better be ready to fight.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine likes writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information about a San Diego mixed martial arts gym or to find San Diego muay thai classes, please go to The Arena MMA site now.
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