10-Point Must System
Scoring system in which the winner of a round receives ten points and the loser normally receives nine or fewer.
GLOSSARY
Understand the vocabulary used in MMA, boxing, kickboxing and other combat sports.
49 matching terms
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B
Bout
Fight · MatchupA single contest scheduled as part of an event.
C
Catchweight
A specifically agreed weight limit outside the standard boundaries of a division.
Championship rounds
The fourth and fifth rounds of a five-round fight, especially a championship bout.
Clinch
A close-range position in which fighters tie up or control each other and may strike or throw as the rules allow.
Co-main event
The bout scheduled immediately before an event’s main event.
Corner
A fighter’s coaches and support team, who provide care and tactical advice between rounds.
Cross
Rear straightA straight punch thrown with the rear, usually stronger hand.
Cutman
A specialist who treats swelling and cuts between rounds within the applicable rules.
D
Decision
A result determined by the judges’ scorecards when a bout reaches its scheduled end.
Disqualification
DQA loss imposed for a serious or repeated intentional rules violation.
Draw
A result without a winner when the combined scorecards do not produce one.
E
Effective grappling
Meaningful grappling offense such as dangerous submissions, impactful takedowns, positional advances or reversals.
Effective striking
Effective legal strikes, assessed primarily by their quality and impact rather than raw volume.
Eliminator
Title eliminatorA bout intended to determine a future title challenger; its formal status depends on the organization.
F
Fight card
CardThe complete list and order of bouts scheduled for an event.
G
Ground and pound
Punches and, where legal, elbows delivered on the ground, often from a controlling top position.
Guard
A ground position in which the bottom fighter uses the legs to control or manage distance from the opponent.
H
Hook
A curved punch normally aimed at the side of the head or body.
I
Interim title
A temporary championship an organization may create when its undisputed champion cannot compete for an extended period.
J
Jab
A straight lead-hand punch used to manage range, establish rhythm and set up combinations.
Judge
An official who scores each round under the criteria of the applicable ruleset.
K
Knockdown
A legal knockdown caused by a strike; its precise definition and consequences vary by sport.
Knockout
KOA stoppage because an athlete cannot recover in time or intelligently continue after legal impact.
L
Low kick
A kick to the thigh or, depending on the ruleset, another legal area of the leg.
M
Main card
The primary broadcast segment, normally containing an event’s most prominent bouts.
Main event
The final and officially featured bout of an event.
Majority decision
Two judges select the same winner while the third scores the bout a draw.
Mount
A dominant ground position in which one fighter sits over the opponent’s torso and controls the hips.
N
No contest
NCAn official result with no winner, for example after an early accidental foul ends the contest.
O
Orthodox
A stance with the left foot and hand forward, commonly used by right-handed fighters.
P
Pound for pound
P4PA hypothetical comparison of ability across weight classes, independent of actual body mass.
Prelims
Preliminary cardThe undercard before the main card; major events may also have an earlier early-prelims segment.
R
Referee
The in-ring or in-cage official who enforces the rules and is solely authorized to stop the contest.
Reversal
A ground exchange in which a fighter moves directly from a bottom position into the top or controlling position.
S
Scorecard
A judge’s recorded round-by-round scores, including any applicable point deductions.
Southpaw
A stance with the right foot and hand forward, commonly used by left-handed fighters.
Split decision
Two judges select one fighter while the third selects the opponent.
Sprawl
A takedown defense that drives the hips and legs back to keep the attacking opponent underneath.
Submission
A finish by physical tap or verbal surrender caused by a choke or joint lock.
T
Takedown
An action that brings an opponent from standing to the ground under control.
Technical decision
A scorecard result after an early stoppage when enough of the bout has elapsed for the scores to be used.
Technical knockout
TKOA referee, doctor or corner stoppage, including retirement between rounds, without a conventional knockout.
Technical submission
A submission stoppage without a conscious tap, such as after unconsciousness or an immediate injury in a hold.
Title shot
An opportunity to compete for an undisputed or interim championship.
U
Unanimous decision
All three judges select the same fighter as the winner.
Uppercut
An upward punch, usually aimed at the chin or body.
W
Weigh-in
The official pre-fight weight check used to confirm compliance with the contracted limit.
Weight miss
Missed weightFailure to meet the contracted limit, potentially leading to a fine, changed bout terms or cancellation.