The Ultimate Fighter FAQ

  • Why aren't the fights during TUF reflected in a fighter's record?
  • What do the UFC doctors do when somebody is knocked out or choked out?
  • How are fights decided?
  • How can someone be in the UFC if they didn't win the contract in the TUF when they appeared on the show?

 

Why aren't the fights during TUF reflected in a fighter's record?

With the exception of the season finales, fights on The Ultimate Fighter are sanctioned by the Nevada Athletic Commission as exhibition matches and do not count for or against a fighter's professional record. This is done to keep the results from going public before the air date.

What do the UFC doctors do when somebody is knocked out or choked out?

Before the fight, all of the fighters are required to have a functional magnetic resonance image. The fMRI is a picture of their brain in its healthy, undamaged state (if otherwise, the fighter won't be cleared to compete).

Immediately following a KO, the doctors move into the ring and attend to the immediate physical side effects. When KO'd some people can stop breathing, so the docs make sure they are breathing on their own and without difficulty. Next, they check for obvious signs of a devastating injury - are the athletes eyes able to focus and distinguish between objects? Are there any massive cuts, bleeding, or contusions? Is the athlete complaining of abnormal pain anywhere? They may also ask whether the athlete knows their name, where they are, what day it is, etc.

Following a KO, the athlete is now required to get another fMRI. This time, the docs will compare the new one to the one that was taken when they were healthy. They will perform regular follow ups until such time as the fMRI and brain function have returned to a normal state. They will also be keeping an eye on them for any signs of brain swelling, cerebro-spinal fluid loss, etc.

How are fights decided?

There are several ways a match can end:

Knockout (KO): When a fighter becomes unconscious due to strikes, he is knocked out. As MMA rules allow ground fighting, the fight is stopped to prevent further injury to an unconscious fighter.

Submission: a fighter may submit by tapping the floor or other fighter or a verbal announcement

Technical Knockout (TKO)- Referee stoppage: The ref may stop a match in progress if: a fighter becomes dominant to the point where the opponent can not intelligently defend himself and is taking damage a fighter appears to be unconscious from a submission hold or due to a strike a fighter appears to have a significant injury such as a cut or a broken bone

Doctor Stoppage: the referee will call for a time out if a fighter's ability to continue is in question as a result of apparent injuries, such as a large cut. The ring doctor will inspect the fighter and stop the match if the fighter is deemed unable to continue safely, rendering the opponent the winner. However, if the match is stopped as a result of an injury from illegal actions by the opponent, either a disqualification or no contest will be issued instead.

Corner stoppage: a fighter's corner men may announce defeat on the fighter's behalf by throwing in the towel during the match in progress or between rounds.

Decision: if the match goes the distance, then the outcome of the bout is determined by three judges.

Forfeit: a fighter or his representative may forfeit a match prior to the beginning of the match, thereby losing the match.

Disqualification: a "warning" will be given when a fighter commits a foul or illegal action or does not follow the referee's instruction. Three warnings will result in a disqualification. If the foul is blatantly malicious, the fight may be stopped sooner. Moreover, if a fighter is injured and unable to continue due to a deliberate illegal technique from his opponent, the opponent will be disqualified.

No Contest: whenever the win conditions stated above cannot be met for any reason, the fight is ruled a No Conteset. i.e. both fighters commit a violation of the rules, or both fighters are KO'd.

How can someone be in the UFC if they didn't win the contract in the TUF when they appeared on the show?

They may not have won the "6 figure Contract" but depending on their performance they can still be offered a contract to compete in the UFC. This contract may be for less money or fewer fights or with other clauses in place.