What MMA allows
Mixed martial arts combines striking and kicking with wrestling and ground fighting. Under the Unified Rules, punches, kicks and knees to legal targets can be used standing. Takedowns, throws, positional grappling, ground strikes and submissions are also part of the sport. The referee can stop the bout when an athlete can no longer intelligently defend.
Rounds and breaks
Professional rounds normally last five minutes with one minute of rest. Most bouts are three rounds, while championships and many main events use five. That produces a maximum of 25 minutes of fight time. Special formats and local commissions can differ.
Major fouls
Headbutts, eye gouging, biting, fish hooking, hair pulling, groin attacks, strikes to the spine or back of the head and twisting individual fingers or toes are key fouls. Holding the fence or an opponent’s equipment is also illegal. Referees can warn, deduct points, allow recovery time or disqualify.
How a fight ends
A bout can end by knockout, technical knockout, submission, technical submission, decision, disqualification or no contest. A TKO includes referee, doctor or corner stoppages. See KO, TKO, submissions and decisions.
Not every promotion uses the same rules
The Unified Rules are the main foundation for UFC, PFL and many OKTAGON events. ONE scores MMA fights as a whole, while RIZIN uses a ring and may allow soccer kicks or stomps. The event’s stated rules and regulator are always decisive.