What does the referee do when there is a foul in MMA?
A · Advanced · Fouls · 3 of 4When a foul is committed the referee calls time, checks the fouled fighter and decides on any point deduction. A fighter hit in the groin or poked in the eye may take up to five minutes to recover. An intentional foul that causes an injury costs two points if the fight goes on, and that deduction is mandatory.
How it works
- Step one: call time.
- Step two: check the fouled fighter's condition and safety.
- Step three: assess the foul for point deductions and time.
- No coaching: during any time-out.
- Groin strike or eye poke: up to five minutes to recover, if the fighter can continue.
- Eye poke: a cold compress or wet towel is allowed, and the fighter is given time to compose themselves and say "yes" or "no" to whether they can see.
- Other fouls that need a doctor: up to five minutes for evaluation, at the referee's discretion.
- Intentional foul causing injury, fight continues: two points, mandatory.
- A cut from a foul: the referee may call the cutman in during the five minutes to work on that cut only.
- A fighter who is hurt while trying to foul: gets no help from the rule. The injury is treated as if caused by a fair blow.
The glossary has the foul procedure, the point deduction, the intentional foul, the accidental foul, the referee and the corner.
Tricky cases
Does a fighter get five minutes after any foul?
No. The five minutes are for a groin strike or an eye poke, or for a foul serious enough to need the doctor. They are not given to recover from a legal strike.
Must the referee give a warning before taking a point?
No. The rules set out no warning ladder. The referee assesses each foul for a deduction.
A fighter poked in the eye says they cannot see. What happens?
The fight cannot continue. The result then depends on whether the foul was intentional or accidental and on how many rounds have been completed.
How many points is an accidental foul worth?
Not fixed. Mandatory deductions are laid down only for intentional fouls that cause injury. For other fouls the referee decides.
Why the rule exists
A fouled fighter should not be worse off for it, so the clock stops and recovery time is given. Coaching is banned in the break so that the fouled corner cannot turn it into an extra team talk. Making the two-point deduction automatic for a deliberate, injuring foul takes that decision out of argument.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Groin strike or eye poke | Up to five minutes | ABC Time consideration 1 |
| Foul needing a doctor | Up to five minutes, at the referee's discretion | ABC Time consideration 2 |
| Legal strike | No time-out, unless there is a cut | ABC Time consideration 3 |
| Intentional foul with injury | Two points, mandatory | ABC Intentional fouls 2 |
| Fence grab with a real effect | One point may be deducted | ABC Foul 14 |
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 sections on intentional fouls, foul procedures, the eye poke procedure, time consideration and the cutperson. Compared with the same association's text as amended 1 August 2018. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (adopted commission by commission).