In the world of full contact sports, there is a diverse range of fighting disciplines that each pose their own unique challenges. From boxing to judo, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts, each discipline requires its own skill set, understanding of the rules and judging criteria, and athletic build.
There are of course similar traits that belong to the whole family of full contact sports such as strength, resilience, and peak conditioning, but in terms of a sport that requires such a well-rounded fighter, no fight compares to one in a mixed martial arts cage.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has established itself as the leader in MMA, due to its global outreach, with the world’s best fighters looking to secure the various weight category titles. In the heavyweight category, England’s Tom Aspinall was elevated to undisputed champion on 21st June 2025 after Jon Jones retired.
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Edge of your seat action
The world of combat is defined by moments but in the MMA Octagon, the fast and furious nature of the action means that viewers cannot take their eyes off the action for one second. Whereas the striking in boxing is more calculated and the fight generally takes place at a slower pace, MMA fighters possess an agility that can end the bout in a split second, with strikes or grappling exchanges.
The unpredictable nature of MMA fights due to the ability to strike with multiple parts of the body and perform a wider range of grapples, takedowns, and submissions offers a unique spectacle for fans, interested viewers, and experts alike. The clue is already in the name of the sport. The mixture of different skills is what makes MMA a sport unlike any other.
What sets MMA apart from other combat sports is the sheer number of variables involved, from grappling exchanges to judging criteria and sudden stoppages. That complexity shapes how the sport is analyzed across media and rankings and is also reflected on platforms covering MMA betting markets, where volatility is a defining characteristic.
The intricacies of the fighting style mix make it extremely difficult for fans to know exactly who is on top in a fight. And for the judges, who have the unenviable job of deciding the fight, almost every single step needs to be scrutinized.
Just Judging
The judging criteria is another aspect that sets MMA aside from other combat sports. The key number is 10, which is awarded to the fighter who wins a round. In rare cases where a round is considered completely even, a 10–10 score may be awarded, although judges are generally encouraged to select a round winner. For fighters who lose a round, scores of 9 or lower can be awarded, with a score as high as 10-8 indicating a clear win for one fighter.
The judging is scrutinized further by the number of parameters that go into the thinking. Effective striking or grappling, aggressiveness, and fighting area control are all considered when assessing a round. Any fouls such as hair pulling, fish hooking, and biting are heavily punished. A unique spectacle is created by all these elements and many more coming together in one cage.
The technical nature of MMA fighting and the different defence and response maneuvers often leads to an unpredictable fight where neither fighter is dominant. For those outside the cage, not just the judges, analyzing and marveling at the impressive action, there is plenty of evidence in 15 minutes of MMA fighting on display to put MMA in a combat sport bracket of its own.