MMA rules explained: weight classes, rounds, the 10-point must system and how fights end

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Mixed martial arts combines striking and grappling under one set of rules, and most major organisations, including the UFC, work from the Unified Rules of MMA adopted by athletic commissions in the United States. Other promotions and other countries can differ in detail, but if you understand the outline below you can follow almost any card.

Weight classes

Fighters compete against opponents of roughly the same size. The common divisions under the unified rules are:

Flyweight up to 125 lb (56.7 kg)
Bantamweight up to 135 lb (61.2 kg)
Featherweight up to 145 lb (65.8 kg)
Lightweight up to 155 lb (70.3 kg)
Welterweight up to 170 lb (77.1 kg)
Middleweight up to 185 lb (83.9 kg)
Light heavyweight up to 205 lb (93 kg)
Heavyweight up to 265 lb (120.2 kg)

Women's divisions in the UFC run from strawweight (115 lb) upwards. Fighters weigh in the day before, so many are noticeably heavier by fight night. Missing weight usually means a fine, and the fight may go ahead at a "catchweight" or be cancelled.

Rounds

Rounds last five minutes with one minute of rest.
Ordinary bouts are three rounds.
Title fights, and main events in the UFC, are five rounds.

Ways to win

Knockout (KO): the opponent is rendered unconscious or unable to continue by a strike.
Technical knockout (TKO): the referee stops the fight because a fighter cannot defend themselves, the doctor stops it for an injury, or a corner throws in the towel.
Submission: a fighter taps out (or says so) from a choke or joint lock, or is choked unconscious.
Decision: if the fight goes the distance, three judges' scorecards decide it. A decision can be unanimous, split (2-1) or majority (two judges for one fighter, one scoring it a draw).
Disqualification: for a serious or repeated foul.

A fight can also end as a draw or a no contest, the latter usually after an accidental foul ends it early.

The 10-point must system

Each judge scores every round separately. The winner of the round gets 10 points, the loser 9 or fewer:

10-9: a round won, the usual score.
10-8: one fighter dominated with significant damage or control, or a combination of both.
10-7: overwhelming dominance, which is rare.
A point can be deducted by the referee for fouls, which changes the totals.

The scores of all rounds are added up at the end, and the higher total wins on that card.

How judges decide a round

Judges are told to look first at effective striking and grappling: strikes that do visible damage, takedowns that lead somewhere, and submission attempts that genuinely threaten. Only when that is even do they consider effective aggressiveness (pressing forward and landing, not just walking forward), and after that control of the fighting area. A fighter who holds someone against the fence for five minutes without doing damage should not automatically win the round, although judges vary. This is why decisions are argued about so often.

Common fouls

Strikes to the groin, the back of the head or the throat
Eye gouging, biting, hair pulling and fish-hooking
Headbutts
Small-joint manipulation (bending fingers or toes)
Holding the fence or the opponent's gloves or shorts
Kicking or kneeing the head of a grounded opponent (the definition of "grounded" has been revised over the years)
Spitting, abusive language and attacking during a break or after the bell

An accidental foul that leaves a fighter unable to continue early in the fight usually results in a no contest. Later in the fight it can go to the scorecards as a technical decision.

Watching your first card

A card runs from the early preliminary bouts to the main card and the main event. Start watching the scoring as you would a judge: who landed the cleaner shots in that round? Comparing your card with the official one is the fastest way to learn. Rules differ between commissions and promotions, so check the governing body for an event if something specific matters. Who got you into MMA, and which decision do you still disagree with? Share it in the comments.