Brief background of the sport and its rules for those who are unfamiliar.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground, incorporating techniques and elements from numerous different martial arts. Although modern MMA has its roots firmly planted in its premier promotion the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) which held its inaugural event in 1993, numerous different disciples of martial arts have been combined and practiced for over 6,000 years.
Unified Rules of MMA
· Bouts consist of 3x 5-minute rounds (5 rounds for title fights and main events in some promotions), with one minute resting periods in between rounds
· Either contested in a fenced area or a ring
· Fights are decided by knockout/technical knockout, submission/technical submission, judge’s decision, disqualification, or can be ruled as a no contest or a draw
· Adopts Boxing’s 10-point-must scoring system
· Judges score based on: effective striking, effective grappling, control of the fighting area, and effective aggression and defence
· All competitors must wear mouthpieces, 4 ounce gloves and males must wear groin protectors
· Only the referee has the authority to stop the contest
Fouls include:
· Headbutting
· Eye gouging
· Biting
· Spitting
· Hair pulling
· Fish-hooking
· Groin attacks
· Small joint manipulation
· Strikes to the spine or back of head
· Kicking or kneeing the head of a grounded opponent
· Holding the fence
· Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
· Abusive language
· Ignoring referee instructions
Any foul can result in a point deduction at the referee’s discretion. Disqualification may occur after a combination or flagrant foul at the discretion of the referee.
Weight classes
· Strawweight: Up to 115lbs
· Flyweight: 115-125lbs
· Bantamweight: 125-135lbs
· Featherweight: 135-145lbs
· Lightweight: 145-155lbs
· Welterweight: 155-170lbs
· Middleweight: 170-185lbs
· Light Heavyweight: 185-205lbs
· Heavyweight: 205-265lbs
If an opponent weighs in over the weight limit by more than 1lb, their opponent has the option to decide whether they want to fight them or not in a catchweight bout, at the commission's discretion.
MMA Records
Largest attendance: 71,000 – PRIDE: Shockwave, Tokyo, Japan, 2002
Largest gate (ticket sales): $17.7million – UFC 205, Madison Square Garden, New York, 2016
Highest pay-per-view buys: 1.65million – UFC 202, 2016
Most consecutive UFC title defences: 11 – Demetrious Johnson (Flyweight)
Youngest UFC champion: 23 – Jon Jones (Light Heavyweight)
Oldest UFC champion: 45 – Randy Couture (Heavyweight)
Most UFC title reigns: 5 – Randy Couture (Light Heavyweight & Heavyweight)
Fastest knockout: 3 seconds – Mike Garret vs Sam Heron, WCMMA 14
Fastest submission: 3 seconds – Liana Jojua vs Tao Li, Kunlun Fight MMA 7