What do unanimous, split and majority decisions mean in MMA?
B · Beginner · How fights end and how they are scored · 5 of 6If a fight goes the distance, three judges' scorecards decide it. A unanimous decision means all three scored it for the same fighter. A split decision means two scored it for one fighter and one for the other. A majority decision means two scored it for one fighter and the third had it level. A fight can also be a draw.
How it works
- Three judges at least: each scores every round.
- Each card: the round scores added up, less any points the referee deducted.
- Unanimous decision: all three judges for the same fighter.
- Split decision: two for one fighter and one for the other.
- Majority decision: two for one fighter and one a draw.
- Unanimous draw: all three score it a draw.
- Majority draw: two score it a draw.
- Split draw: all three score differently, and the result is a draw.
- Technical decision: a fight stopped early by an injury from an accidental foul, with one fighter ahead on the cards.
The glossary has the decision, the unanimous decision, the split decision, the majority decision, the draw and the judges.
Tricky cases
The cards read 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29. What is that?
A split decision. Two judges scored the bout for one fighter and one judge for the opponent.
The cards read 29-28, 29-28 and 28-28. What is that?
A majority decision. Two judges scored it for the same fighter and one scored a draw.
The cards read 29-28, 28-29 and 28-28. Who wins?
Nobody. All three judges scored differently and the total results in a draw, which is a split draw.
Is there an extra round after a draw?
Not in the unified rules, which list the draw as a result. Extra rounds are used in some tournament formats under other rules.
Why the rule exists
Three judges give a majority whenever they disagree about the winner. Naming the decision by how the cards fell tells the public how close the judges thought it was, which matters in a sport where a single round can be read two ways.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All three for one fighter | Unanimous decision | ABC Types of decisions f |
| Two against one | Split decision | ABC Types of decisions f |
| Two for one, one level | Majority decision | ABC Types of decisions f |
| Two level | Majority draw | ABC Types of decisions g |
| Stopped by an accidental foul after half the rounds | Technical decision | ABC Accidental fouls 2 |
From the rule book
Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (as amended 23 July 2024; California State Athletic Commission copy), the judging criteria (a) and the types of decisions (f and g). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (adopted commission by commission).