How do we fix the scoring problems in MMA?

Question

I think we can all agree that there are serious problems with the "10 point must" system in mma and Pride's way still resulted in some joke decisions. What are your thoughts on a better way to score mma bouts. God knows something need to be done.

Answer 1

I dont mind the 10pt must scoring system as much, I just think the criteria for gaining points should change, the example you gave about a wrestler laying on top of someone who is actively trying to finish with submissions or improve postion, I think they guy on the bottom should win hands down, the problem is this "octagon control" thing they score with it gets the idea in these boxing judges heads that taking a guy down is worth alot of points because your in control, when in fact the guy on the bottom is in control with his aggresive jits and trying to improve position the top man cant get anything done. That would be like giving points for footwork in boxing, the footwork allows you to be more effective punching, but it isnt punching, it just sets up the punching. I think MMA should be about finishing the fight, things like take downs and jabs shouldnt count for much in points, what you do with that takedown or those jabs is what should count.

Another problem is with submissions, they either end the fight or they count for nothing if not completed, and how could you score a submisison attempt?, or even define a submission attempt? If your on the botton and you shift your hips and try to bring your leg up for an armbar but lose the wrist control is that an attempt? or do you have to go so far as to get your leg over and keep the hand for it to be an attempt? but in general i think submission attemps should be worth more.

I just think they need better educated judges and mostly they need to revise and better define what gains points or is worth points in a round. Personally I think if someone gets a takedown but goes right into someones gaurd its not worth much of anything, however if that person then passes the gaurd thats worth something, even if they dont do much after that. or if you get a takedown into side control, that is worth something, and then if you work for a kimura from there that is worth something even if you dont get it.

One of the best examples of these kinds of fights was Rashad Evans vs. Stephan Bonner. It was a while ago before Evans had much of any skill, Evans just took Bonnar down with ease through the entire fight, and for the most part kept him down and stayed on top. But when they were down there Bonnar was more active, Evans would throw some punches when he got free but he may have really landed 5 the entire fight. Bonnar was looking for submissions and actually throwing more strikes from the bottom than Evans was from the top. eventhough most strikes from the bottom arnt that effective at least he was doing something. When I watched the fight I was thinking that I would actually give the fight to bonnar even though evans took him down easily and was ontop the whole time. on the other hand Joe Rogan was going off about how easily the fight should be scored for evans because he "controled" the fight. Evans won a decision, and im not sure but i think one Judge gave one round to Bonnar and thats it.

I just think "control" needs to be redefined or though about in a different way and shouldnt count for nearly as much as trying to finish the fight.

and i do agree with you that something really needs to be done about it.

Answer 2

I think the 10 point must system is fine except for two things.  First it still favors effective striking/kicking over effective grappling when in my mind they should be equal.  Secondly you have to have judges that are knowledgeable and understand fighting and the ground game as well as the stand up game.  I recently judged a MMA fight that was extremely close.  The person on the bottom continued to work for submissions time and again.  In essence he was still carrying the fight to his opponent.  His skill and knowledge was obvious as well as his preference for trying to win out of that position rather than some other.  Everything being equal the other two judges gave the match to the guy on top because he was in the dominant position even though there were times where he was just laying there, befuddled at times, and even though he was in the dominant position he was ineffective and could not close out the match.  Judges need to understand that operating from the guard position is a strategy some Ju-jitsu stylist favor and that if they are trying to make things happen from that position and work submissions while the other guy is just laying there the guy on top in the dominant position is not fighting.    

Answer 3

I actually do not have the problem with the 10 point must system. How ever it this just might because I have not heard of anything better. The one and only problem that I do have is that If a grappler takes a guy down he gets "points" but if the guy who gets himself back up he is not awarded equal "points". That is a little weird to me. My question is how do you award points to the guy who is setting the pace. does he get two points for thirty seconds or maybe two minutes. Is it who hit harder or who hit more. I guess my thought process maybe a little backwards. I see it as a far to complicated sport to give it a complex point system because in a fight such as the Tyson Griffin/Franky Edgar fight you could almost a have a 100 to 106 score, for the very first round. So if I see something better I will definitely support it but my pea brain can't think of anything

Answer 4

There is nothing wrong with the ten point must system or even that it favours striking if that is what the company wants.

You just need judges that know what is giong on, the judges need to be educated. Get some videos and some graplers in to show what is what in a live demonstration to show that the guard may be the better position.

Answer 5

Add kicking judges and a 6 power kick per round rule and we're in business!!!

Answer 6

the things i think should be done.

1 the fighters coach's should only be allowed to coach in between rounds. it's supposed to be a test of the fighters abillity. not the coaches instructions.

2 there should be no such thing as a judges decision. no points. either a knockout, ref/doctor stoppage, or submission.