The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is one of the biggest names in combat sports, bringing together some of the world’s most skilled fighters. Whether you’re new to the sport or just want to learn more, this quick guide will give you a clear overview of what the UFC is all about. From the basic rules to understanding weight classes, this guide will help you get familiar with the essentials so you can follow the action like a pro.
ProfitDuel, side hustles experts, have put this guide together to help newcomers to the MMA sport.
History Of The UFC
The UFC got its start back in 1993, and it’s fair to say it looked pretty different from the sport we see today. It all began when a group of martial artists wanted to create a tournament to see which fighting style was truly the most effective in a no-holds-barred format. Royce Gracie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, won the first event, putting his family’s grappling style on the map and forever changing how fighters approached mixed martial arts (MMA).
The original idea was simple: pit different martial arts styles against each other, karate vs. wrestling, jiu-jitsu vs. boxing, and see who came out on top. But back then, it was a lot more brutal. The rules were minimal, with almost anything going, and the octagon (the eight-sided cage the UFC is famous for) was just as intimidating as the fights inside it.
The UFC quickly gained a reputation for being wild and violent, and that didn’t sit too well with regulators. In fact, by the late ’90s, many states in the U.S. had outright banned the sport, and it seemed like the UFC might not survive. That’s when the Fertitta brothers, Lorenzo and Frank, along with their business partner Dana White, came in. In 2001, they bought the UFC for $2 million – a steal, though at the time, no one was sure if they could turn things around.
Dana White, now the face of the UFC, was a key driving force in making that turnaround happen. Under his leadership, they revamped the rules, implementing weight classes and safety regulations, and shifted the focus to making MMA a legitimate, regulated sport. That’s when the UFC started to really grow, and by 2005, it exploded into mainstream consciousness, thanks in large part to “The Ultimate Fighter,” a reality TV show that helped introduce MMA to a whole new audience. The show’s success brought in more fans, more fighters, and more sponsors.
From there, the UFC began to break through globally. Huge stars like Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva, and Georges St-Pierre became household names, and by the 2010s, fighters like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey were taking the sport to even greater heights. The UFC continued expanding internationally, hosting events in countries all over the world, and by 2016, the company was sold for a staggering $4 billion – one of the largest sales in sports history.
Today, the UFC is a multi-billion dollar organization with events broadcast to millions of fans worldwide. It’s evolved from a niche, almost underground competition to one of the fastest-growing sports globally. And while the early days were rough, the UFC’s journey has been marked by a series of key moments, driven by big personalities and even bigger fights. Now, it’s at the forefront of MMA, showcasing the best fighters and consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in combat sports.
UFC Basic Rules
Alright, so now that you’ve got some history under your belt, let’s dive into the basics of how the UFC actually works. If you’re new to the sport, it can seem like organized chaos at first glance, but there are clear rules that keep things (mostly) under control.
The Octagon
First off, the iconic eight-sided cage, known as “the octagon,” isn’t just for show. It keeps the fighters in a controlled space and ensures there’s no chance of anyone falling out of the ring during a fight. Plus, it creates a unique environment for strategy – fighters use the cage for leverage, to trap opponents, and even to escape bad situations.
Rounds and Fight Length
Most UFC fights are scheduled for three rounds, each lasting five minutes, with one-minute breaks in between. However, title fights and main events go up to five rounds, which, trust me, can make for some seriously intense, grueling battles. It’s not just about landing big shots, endurance and strategy play a huge role here.
Weight Classes
The UFC organizes fighters into different weight classes to ensure a fair fight. There are several divisions, ranging from flyweight (up to 125 lbs) all the way to heavyweight (up to 265 lbs). This keeps things balanced and means you won’t be seeing a lightweight take on a heavyweight, no David vs. Goliath situations here.
Ways to Win
There are several ways a UFC fight can end:
- Knockout (KO): This is the most straightforward, a fighter gets knocked out and is unable to continue.
- Technical Knockout (TKO): This happens when a fighter is either unable to defend themselves or the referee determines they can’t safely continue, even if they’re not fully out cold.
- Submission: If a fighter locks their opponent into a choke or joint lock, the opponent may tap out (literally tapping the mat or their opponent to signal they give up) to avoid serious injury.
- Decision: If no one gets knocked out or submits after all the rounds, the fight goes to the judges. They score the fight based on things like strikes landed, grappling control, aggression, and octagon control.
- Disqualification: If a fighter breaks the rules (more on that in a second), they could be disqualified, giving their opponent the win.
What’s Not Allowed
Despite the UFC’s reputation for being brutal, there are actually a lot of things fighters can’t do:
- No eye gouging (obviously).
- No hitting the back of the head (that area’s super vulnerable, so it’s off-limits).
- No groin shots (yep, low blows are illegal – don’t need to explain why).
- No headbutts.
- No biting.
- No strikes to a downed opponent’s head with knees or kicks.
Referee’s Role
The ref’s job is to ensure the fight stays safe and within the rules. They can stop the fight if a fighter is in danger or isn’t intelligently defending themselves (you’ll hear that term a lot). They also call out fighters if they’re getting too close to breaking the rules, issuing warnings, point deductions, or even disqualifications.
Judging
If the fight goes the distance and no one is knocked out or submitted, it’s up to the judges. They score the fight round by round, using a 10-point must system (10 for the winner of the round, 9 or less for the loser). Judges look at:
- Effective striking and grappling (who lands more impactful strikes or controls the fight on the ground)
- Aggression (who’s pushing the pace of the fight)
- Octagon control (who’s dictating where the fight takes place)
It can get a bit subjective, which is why fans sometimes get frustrated with controversial decisions, but that’s just part of the game.