Rules of MMA
The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, adopted by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board in April 2001 and now the de-facto global standard, govern almost every modern MMA bout. Explore the rule set across 9 deep-dive articles.
The 2001 regulatory framework that turned no-holds-barred fighting into a sanctioned sport, and how it's evolved across two decades.
How three judges score every MMA round on a 10-point scale, and why so many close decisions look wrong.
How three judges decide every close decision — the strict hierarchy of effective striking, aggressiveness, and cage control.
KO, TKO, submission, decision, disqualification, no-contest — how every MMA bout ends.
All 31 fouls under the Unified Rules of MMA, what triggers a referee warning vs a point deduction vs a disqualification, and the 2024 elbow-rule change.
From the 2015 USADA partnership through the 2024 transition to CSAD — how MMA's PED testing program actually works.
How NSAC, NJSACB, CSAC, and the ABC member commissions actually enforce the Unified Rules differently.
What gloves, wraps, cage, mouthguard, and protective gear are mandated under the Unified Rules.
How PRIDE-style rope rings, RIZIN's revival, BKFC's circle, and ONE's permissive cage rules produce different kinds of fights.
At a glance
- Three or five 5-minute rounds (title and main events are five, others three).
- 10-point must scoring with three judges per bout. See 10-Point Must Scoring.
- Six possible outcomes: KO, TKO, submission, decision, disqualification, no contest. See Methods of Victory.
- 31 prohibited fouls. See Fouls Catalog.
- 4-6 oz open-finger gloves, mandatory mouthguard and groin protection. See Equipment Specifications.