How an MMA fight works

1. Mixed martial arts lets two fighters strike and grapple, standing or on the ground, inside a cage or a ring.
2. A fight can end early by knockout, by the referee stopping it (a technical knockout), or by submission, when a fighter gives up in a hold.
3. If it goes the distance, three judges decide. Each scores every round on the ten-point must system: 10 for the winner of the round, 9 or fewer for the loser.
4. A unanimous decision means all three judges picked the same fighter; a split decision means two did and one did not.

How long

Rounds last five minutes, with one minute of rest. Most fights are three rounds; no bout may be longer than five.