Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about UFC.
What is the UFC?
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is a mixed martial arts promotion that stages contests between fighters using a wide range of striking and grappling techniques. It is the largest MMA organization in the world and has been running since 1993.
Who owns the UFC?
The UFC is currently operated under TKO Group Holdings, a parent company formed in 2023 through the merger of UFC's parent WME-IMG with WWE. Before that, the promotion was controlled by Zuffa and, earlier still, by the Fertitta family.
What weight classes does the UFC compete in?
The promotion fields nine men's divisions and seven women's divisions, ranging from strawweight at the bottom up to heavyweight at the top. Champions in each division hold their own belt, and a fighter can only challenge within their own weight class.
What is the Octagon?
The Octagon is the UFC's signature fighting enclosure, an eight-sided cage roughly 30 feet across. The name became so tightly bound to the brand that it is now used as a shorthand for the promotion itself.
How long are UFC fights and how are they scored?
Non-title bouts consist of three five-minute rounds while championship fights go five rounds, with a one-minute break between each. Judges score every round using a ten-point-must system, and a fight can also end early by knockout, submission, or disqualification.
Who are some of the most iconic UFC fighters?
Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Conor McGregor are frequently cited as the promotion's most recognizable stars. GSP's long welterweight reign, Silva's record 16-fight win streak, and McGregor's crossover media impact each defined a distinct era of the sport.
What is a title fight in the UFC?
A title fight is a bout in which a division's championship belt is on the line, pitting the reigning champion against a ranked challenger. These are the only contests in the sport that go five rounds rather than three.
Where can I watch UFC events?
In the United States, regular Fight Night cards stream on ESPN+ while marquee events are sold as Pay-Per-View. International fans access fights through a patchwork of local broadcasters that varies by country and region.
What are some of the most memorable moments in UFC history?
Anderson Silva's 16-fight championship streak, Georges St-Pierre's dominant 2007 title win, and Jon Jones's 2007 heavyweight championship at age 23 are often cited as career-defining. Upsets and long reigns like these keep getting rewatched years later.
What's the difference between a knockout and a submission?
A knockout (or technical knockout) ends the fight when a fighter is rendered unconscious or the referee stops the action because strikes are landing unanswered. A submission ends the fight when a fighter taps out or is medically stopped while caught in a hold that threatens serious injury.