In the world of mixed martial arts, there are three possible outcomes to a fight: knockout, submission, or decision. A decision is when neither fighter has been knocked out or submitted and the judges decide who won the fight. There are three different types of decisions: unanimous, majority, and split. In this blog post we will discuss what a split decision is and how it is determined.
Table of Contents
What is the definition of a split decision in MMA?
A split decision in MMA is a term used to describe a fight in which one judge scored the bout in favor of one fighter, while the other two judges scored the bout in favor of the other fighter. This type of outcome can also be referred to as a majority draw. In the event of a split decision, neither fighter is typically declared the winner, and the match is recorded as a draw. A draw usually results when both fighters have landed an equal number of strikes, or when neither fighter has been able to dominate the other throughout the match.
A split decision can be a frustrating outcome for both fighters and fans alike. For fighters, it means that they may have put in all the hard work only to come away with no recognition or reward. And for fans, it’s often difficult to determine who actually won or lost a fight that was so closely contested.
While rare, split decisions do happen occasionally in MMA.
Split Decision Vs Unanimous Decision
When two fighters go toe-to-toe in the ring, fans and spectators alike are often left wondering who really won the fight. This is especially true when the match ends in a split decision. A split decision is a term used to describe a fight in which one judge scored the bout in favor of one fighter, while the other two judges scored the bout in favor of the other fighter. This type of outcome can also be referred to as a majority draw. In the event of a split decision, neither fighter is typically declared the winner, and the match is recorded as a draw.
How are rounds scored in MMA?
MMA bouts are scored using a ten-point must system, with the winner of each round receiving 10 points and the loser receiving 9 or fewer points. If both fighters receive the same number of points, it is considered a draw. In order to win a bout, a fighter must either earn more points than their opponent across all three rounds, or have one scorecard that is 10-8 or better.
The scoring system is designed to award fighters for effective striking, grappling and control of the fight. Judges typically give more weight to striking than grappling, but if a fighter dominates their opponent on the ground they can still win rounds. The scoring criteria can be subjective at times, so there is always some degree of debate among fans and pundits about how individual bouts should be scored.
Majority decision v split decision
A majority decision is reached when one fighter has more than half of the total votes from the judges, while a split decision is given when both fighters have received an equal number of points. In a split decision, the fighter who won more rounds (or scored more significant strikes) will be awarded the victory. If there is a tie in terms of rounds won/striking, then the result will be considered a majority draw.
