How to Win at the Ultimate Fighting Championships

In fact there are rules and these are the ways a fighter can win.

• A Knockout occurs as soon as a fighter becomes unconscious and his opponent is declared the winner but as UFC rules allow ground fighting the referee must play close attention and can declare a Technical Knockout.

• A Technical Knockout (TKO) occurs if the fight is stopped in progress by either the referee, a doctor summoned by the referee, the fighter's own corner or the fighter himself. A stoppage is likely if a fighter becomes so dominant that his opponent can no longer defend himself or a fighter appears to have developed significant injuries such that the fight cannot continue.

• A fighter can concede defeat at any time by way of a submission. This is usually indicated by a tap on his opponent or the floor or given verbally.

• A Technical Submission is called by the referee if a fighter either appears unconscious during a hold or to have a serious injury.

• If the fight goes the distance and no fighter is knocked out or submits then the outcome is determined by judges decision. Three judges are usually called upon to decide the winner. If all three judges are agreed then the decision is unanimous. Otherwise there can be a split decision in favour of one fighter or the judges can decide that a fight is a draw.

• Fighters can also be disqualified if he breaches the rules or fails to obey repeated warnings. A fighter can also forfeit the contest prior to it taking place or id both fighters are in breach a No Contest is declared.

The presence of clearer defined rules has ensured that the Ultimate Fighting Championships are a proper sporting contest and were introduced following public opposition to the sport in the 1990s. UFC is now very much a mainstream sport enjoyed by sports fans around the world.