HOW MMA SCORING WORKS
When a fight goes to decision, judges score the individual rounds rather than simply counting total strikes across the entire fight.
How MMA Scoring Works: The 10-Point Must System Explained
A recent breakdown of the 10-point must system and judging criteria.
The 10-point must system
A round is generally scored 10-9 when one fighter clearly wins it. More decisive rounds can receive wider margins, subject to the applicable rules and judges’ assessment.
What judges look at
Effective striking and effective grappling are central considerations under the Unified Rules framework, with aggression and fighting-area control considered when effective offense is otherwise equal.
How to watch a close round
Instead of asking who looked busier overall, ask who created the more significant effective offense in that round. Then consider whether the difference was large enough to justify a 10-8 or other score.
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