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MMA Update: New judging rules, Eddie Alvarez, Sonnen-Rampage, and more

Submitted by Fred Richani on Sat, 07/28/2012 - 18:37

Your mixed martial arts update.

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--In case you missed it, the Association of Boxing Commission made some major changes to the unified rules of MMA last week. 

The most significant changes include:

  • Striking and grappling now holding same weight in a fight.
  • Points will not be awarded for defense and it is not part of the criteria (Sorry, Clay Guida)
  • EFFECTIVE striking, grappling, and aggression redefined 
  • The half point system used during a trial period by some commissions is dead

Information courtesy of ABCBoxing.com:

Unified Rules of MMA – Judging Criteria
Amended July 2012

Part 1

1. Definitions

“Effective striking” is judged by determining the impact of legal strikes landed by a contestant and the number of such legal strikes. Heavier strikes that have a visible impact on the opponent will be given more weight than the number of strikes landed. These assessments include causing an opponent to appear stunned from a legal blow, causing the opponent to stagger, appearance of a cut or bruise from a legal strike and causing the opponent to show pain. Cumulative impact on a fighter will also be weighed. If neither fighter shows an advantage in impact of strikes, the number of strikes will determine the most effective striker.

“Effective grappling” is judged by considering the amount of successful executions of a legal takedown, reversals and submission attempts. Examples of factors to consider are take downs from standing position to mount position, passing the guard to a dominant position, and bottom position fighters using an active, threatening guard to create submission attempts. Submission attempts which come close to ending a fight will be weighted more highly than attempts which are easily defended. Submission attempts which cause an opponent to weaken or tire from the effort required to defend the technique will also be weighted highly in scoring. High amplitude takedowns and throws which have great impact will be scored more heavily than a takedown which does not have great impact.

“Effective aggression” is moving forward scoring with a legal technique or attacking from the guard with threatening submissions.

“Cage/Ring Control” is dictating the pace, place and position of the fight

Part 2

2. Application