Section 1370.780  Scoring

a)         Scoring shall be by 3 judges in attendance to score each bout, stationed on different sides of the ring, and the referee.  The judges shall watch every phase of the bout and make a decision if the contest lasts the full number of rounds scheduled.  They shall be ready at all times, if requested by the referee, to assist in deciding whether fouls have been committed.

b)         Judges shall evaluate each contestant's mixed martial art technique using the following criteria for scoring:

1)         Effective and efficient striking – determining the total number of legal strikes landed.

2)         Effective grappling – considering the amount of successful executions of legal takedowns and reversals.  Factors to consider are takedowns from the standing position to a mount position, passing the guard to the mount position, and bottom position fighters using an active threatening guard.

3)         Effective control – which contestant is dictating the pace, location and position of the bout.  Factors to be considered are countering a grappler's attempt at a takedown by remaining standing and legally striking, taking an opponent down to force a ground fight, creating threatening submission attempts, passing the guard to achieve a mount, and creating striking opportunities.

4)         Effective aggressiveness – moving forward and landing legal strikes.

5)         Effective defense – avoiding being struck by one's opponent, takedowns or reversals while countering with offensive strikes.

c)         System for Scoring a Contest

1)         The scoring of the contest by the judges will be by the 10-point must system.

2)         Under the 10-point must system, the winner of the round shall be awarded 10 points and the loser of the round shall be awarded 9 or fewer points, except for rare instances of an even round for which each contestant shall be awarded 10 points. 

3)         If the round is even, each contestant receives the full number of points.  No fractions of points are to be used unless otherwise directed by the Division for a particular contest.

4)         If a round is stopped by a referee due to an accidental foul, the round shall be scored.