ABOUT MMA

MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts & is known by many names, like:
'Cage Fighting', 'Prize Fighting', 'Pit Fighting', 'Ultimate Fighting', 'Extreme Fighting', 'No Holds Barred Fighting', 'Anything Goes Fighting' & 'No Rules Fighting'.

MMA fights are generally conducted in a steel chainlink cage, but many are also held inside a standard boxing ring or similar.

The main reason MMA events are conducted inside a cage is the simple fact that the fighters are far more protected in a cage than say in a boxing ring where they can fall out onto the ground. Because of the nature of MMA, the fight can very quickly go to the ground or a fighter is thrown, slammed or backed up & this is where injury can happen if both or a single competitor falls or is thrown out of the ring. Inside a cage there is no risk of this & thus actually much safer for both fighters. The intelligent fighter can also use the cage to their advantage as well. In a boxing ring a MMA event can be stopped/started & fighters pulled into the middle of the ring or restart standing if a fighter has fallen out, not only slowing the match down, but also very frustrating when a fighter is trying to gain a dominant position. The whole concept behind MMA is to truly see who is the better fighter or back in the early days of MMA which is the better style of martial art. These days it is known as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as it is truly that! Fighters can no longer rely on only just one discipline, they must be versed in many & no longer rely in just their one fighting skill set.
If a traditional stand up fighter, like say a boxer is taken to the ground & they have no idea on how to handle themselves on the ground, then it will be a very short lived fight for them. Likewise the traditional ground or submission fighter, like say a wrestler also needs to be able handle themself & be confident in striking exchanges & avoid situations in stand up if it is striking that is their weakness, again it will be a very short lived fight for them. Generally speaking 80% of fights will at some stage go to the ground, but all rounds start from a standing position, so with this in mind all fighters need to be well versed, in the main too forms of fighting, Striking (Stand up) & Grappling (Ground). All of todays MMA fighters need to be good in all areas of their skill set. A one dimensional fighter will generally not do to well in an MMA fight.

Some skills that MMA fighters use include:
Strikes: Punches, Kicks, Elbows, Knees
Stand Up: Cage/Ring Control, Cage/Ring Positioning, Foot Work, Throws
Submissions: Arms, Elbows, Legs, Knees, Necks, Wrists, Ankles
Grappling: Ground Control, Dominate Positioning, Throws, Take Downs, Escapes

Some disciplines that MMA fighters use include:
Boxing, Wrestling, MuayThai, JuJitsu, KickBoxing, Judo, TaeKwonDo, Karate, ValeTudo, the list goes on & on...

The MMA fighter assesses his opponent & decides on what in their own arsenal of skill sets is best used to defeat their opponent. If a fighter is against an extremely good striker, maybe a lot better than their owns striking skills, it makes sense for them to try & take their opponent to the ground, where possibly they are better & impose their will. MMA fighters are possibly the most intelligent type of fighter & many have a game plan in place & have studied their opponent well, prior to even stepping into the cage or ring. It is not a matter of putting two people in a cage/ring & see what happens, these fighters need to be ready for anything, at any time they can be taken down or need to wear a bombardment of strikes & they need to adapt very quickly & 'think without thinking', just react & counter whatever is thrown at them on the spot. Many cage fights are like a 'Human Chess Matches', it takes a very intelligent fighter to be able to advance, defend, take down & avoid, all at once.
Many contests involve bouts going back & forth until someone finally gets the upper hand. A MMA fight can end very quickly & anything can happen, just because someone is dominating the fight, it doesn't mean they will win, many itmes even though winning the fight they have been knocked out or submitted in the blink of an eye, it doesn't take much for the tables to be turned! Remember MMA fighters are generally very skilled in many aspects of fighting so all it takes is one quick, but simple opportunity & it's over.
The main overseas Cage Fights are conducted in an 8 sided chainlink cage, which they call the Octagon, most have two gates, some have only one.
In Australia most Cage Fights are conducted in a 6 sided chainlink cage, a Hexagon, most have only one gate for entry/exit point.

Despite what many people believe, there are quite a few rules designed to protect the MMA fighter.
Below are a list of 'GENERIC or GENERAL' MMA rules for Australia.
PLEASE NOTE: Below are just generic & general rules. Most event holders, companies & organisations will have similar, but not exactly the same conditions & rules, we have listed some below to outlay the general rules currently in place for most MMA events.
Also please note that the weight classes for each event holders, companies & organisations may also differ slightly, but again will be similar & close to the weights/classes listed below.

GENERAL MMA FIGHT RULES (Australian MMA Universal Rules)

Weight classes

  • Bantamweight Under 62kg Under 137lbs
    Featherweight 62kg to 65kg 137lbs to 143lbs
    Lightweight 66kg to 70kg 146lbs to 154lbs
    Welterweight 71kg to 77kg 157lbs to 170lbs
    Middleweight 78kg to 84kg 172lbs to 185lbs
    Light Heavyweight 85kg to 93kg 187lbs to 205lbs
    Heavyweight 94kg to 105kg 207lbs to 231lbs
    Super Heavyweight Over 105kg Over 231lbs
    Open Weight No Weight Restrictions

Bout duration

  1. Fights shall be contested over 2, 3 or 5 rounds as determined by the event holder.
  2. Rounds will be 2, 3 or 5 minutes in duration.
  3. A 1 minute rest period will occur between each round.

Grounded Fighter

    The fighter shall be deemed to be in the "grounded" position when:
  • The fighter is laying on his back
  • The fighter is seated on his buttocks
  • The fighter is laying on his stomach
  • When his hand is touching the mat
  • When one or more of his knees are in contact with the mat

Violations/Rule breaches

    In the event of a breach of the rules the referee has the authority to:
  • Warn the fighter
  • Foul the fighter (1 point lost from round score)
  • Disqualify the fighter

The referee shall consider the circumstances of the breach such as intent and the severity of the breach. A general guideline would be that the referee will progressively discipline the fighter breaching the rules, however, he can in light of the seriousness of the breach act within the extent of the above guidelines and to the extent of the above. The referee may call a time out to allow a fighter to recover after being fouled or to be inspected by a doctor. In the event of such a "time out" the violating fighter shall immediately go to the neutral corner as directed by the referee and remain there until otherwise instructed.

Fouls

  1. Butting with the head.
  2. Eye gouging of any kind.
  3. Biting.
  4. Hair pulling.
  5. Fish hooking.
  6. Groin attacks of any kind.
  7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
  8. Small joint manipulation, no pressure points (less then three digits).
  9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head.
  10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
  11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
  12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
  13. Grabbing the clavicle.
  14. Heel hooks.
  15. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
  16. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
  17. Stomping a grounded opponent.
  18. Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
  19. Spiking an opponent to the mat on his head or neck.
  20. Throwing an opponent out of the cage or ring.
  21. Holding the shorts, gloves or strapping of an opponent.
  22. Spitting at an opponent.
  23. Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes or intends an injury to an opponent.
  24. Holding the wire or ropes or intentionally exiting the cage or ring.
  25. Using abusive language in the cage or ring.
  26. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
  27. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
  28. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
  29. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
  30. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
  31. Interference by the corner.
  32. Knees, Elbows & Forearms are NOT permitted in amateur bouts.

Stagnate fighting

Stagnate fighting will not be tolerated. The referee may restart the round if the fighters reach a stalemate and do not work to improve position or finish. This is not limited to when fighters are on the ground, it encompasses all aspects of the bout. The referee shall first warn the fighters to work prior to this. Fights shall be restarted in the center of the cage/ring or at their desgintated coloured corners or areas; fighters may or may not be dragged into the centre of the ring if they are in the ground position or under or impeded by ropes if the MMA event is held in a ring.

Referees Instructions

    During the bout the referee shall make all instructions to the fighters clear, he will use the following instructions:
  • Fight - Instructing the fighters to fight.
  • Stop - Telling the fighters to stop and remain stopped until further instruction.
  • Break - To break the fighters.
The referee may also call timeout for a doctor's examination, cleaning of the cage/ring or fighter. In the event of a timeout for the attendance of a fighter, the other fighter shall go to the nearest neutral corner and remain there awaiting further instruction. In the event of a timeout the official time clock shall be paused.

Cornermen etiquette

The fighter shall be allowed 1 primary cornerman (towel holder) and 2 secondary cornermen. All corner man shall act in a professional manner during the event.
    Cornermen shall:
  1. Remain in the corner/area during the rounds in a crouched & kneeling position. Including during timeout periods unless instructed by the referee.
  2. Refrain from using obscene language.
  3. Refrain from touching the cage/ropes or pounding on the mat.
  4. Refrain from touching the fighters during the round.
  5. Ensure the fighter is wiped of excess fluid between rounds.
  6. Ensure the floor area is not wet after a round break.

Fighter attire

  • All fighters shall wear an approved mouthpiece and groin protector.
  • Fighters shall wear approved fight shorts. Like: board shorts, bike pants, boxing style, thai style, MMA preferred, NO POCKETS.
  • Fighters shall not wear footwear of any kind. If the event allows shoes to be worn, not kicks will be allowed from that fighter.
  • The event holder shall supply gloves.
  • Minimal supportive strapping is to be used to the hands and any injured areas.
  • An official prior to the fight will inspect all taping & gloves. Hand taping shall be inspected and signed off by an official.
  • VASELINE: Minimal Vaseline to the eyebrow area and facial cuts (along with adrenaline solution) ONLY.
  • BALM: Fighters shall not apply any foreign substance to their body including lubricative substance or heat balm.

Ways to Win

  1. Physical knock out.
  2. Physical tap out.
  3. Verbal submission.
  4. Cornerman throws in the towel.
  5. Technical knockout by the Referee stopping the contest.
  6. Technical knockout by a Doctors stoppage.
  7. Disqualification of opposing fighter.
    Decision Win via the scorecards:
  1. Unanimous decision.
  2. Majority decision.
  3. Split decision.
    Draw, including:
  1. Unanimous draw.
  2. Majority draw.
  3. Split draw.
2 or more judges must award the fighter the bout for him to be declared the winner. Each judge shall render a decision. Win, Loss or Draw.

No contest

    In the event of a fighter sustaining an injury due to an unintentional foul or accidental head clash etc. The fight may be ruled a no contest:
  • In a 3 round fight if that happens after 2 rounds cards will be calculated to determine a winner.
  • In a 5 round fight cards will be scored after the completion of 3 rounds or more.
THIS DOES NOT RELATE TO BLATANT FOULS. If a fighter cannot continue after a blatant, malicious or reckless foul he will be deemed the winner regardless of round number. The referee shall consider such a circumstance upon merit if it occurs.

Judges Scoring (10 point must system)

    Judges shall use the 10 point must system as below. Fighters shall be awarded 10 points at the start of each round. A judge will return a round score:
  • 10-10 Even round.
  • 10-9 Advantage round (10 points awarded to the superior fighter).
  • 10-8 Dominant round (10 points awarded to the clearly dominant fighter).

Judges shall score the rounds under the following criteria:
Effective Grappling Shall encompass all aspects of grappling, both offense and defense, standing and on the ground. A fighter that is sprawling and avoiding or negating the takedown attempts of the other would be viewed to be effectively grappling. Effective submission attempts, clean takedowns, reversals and sweeps would also be considered effective grappling. Effective Striking Shall encompass all aspects of striking both standing and on the ground. Judges shall view the efficiency and effectiveness of the strikes. On the ground position strikes from the top position shall be deemed more effective then the bottom position. Cage/Ring Control This is basically, who is dictating the pace of the fight and where the fight is taking place. Effective Aggression Simply means, who is being the more aggressive of the 2 fighters with reference to above criteria. The key to the criteria is the word 'Effective', swinging and constantly missing is not effective aggression. Judges cards shall be collected after each round by an event official and retained for tallying. Protests and Complaints All official protests or complaints are to be made and lodged formally in writing to the event holder within 24hrs of the event to be considered by the committee. Drug Policy The event holder reserves the right to randomly test contracted fighters for performance enhancing drugs as defined by the Australian Sports Drug Agency.

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