What scoring system do judges use in UFC bouts under the Unified Rules?
Answer
The 10-point must system
UFC judges use the 10-point must system under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.
In a standard round, the winner normally receives 10 points and the other fighter receives 9 or fewer. A dominant round can be scored 10–8, while an exceptionally one-sided round may receive a 10–7 score.
Judges assess effective striking and grappling first, followed by effective aggression and effective defense when the earlier criteria are considered equal. The system is applied round by round rather than by awarding a single impression-based score for the entire contest.
The phrase “10-point must” does not mean every round must be scored 10–9. It means the round winner is awarded 10 points, with the opponent receiving fewer points. Officials can also deduct points for fouls.