How many rounds are there in regular and championship UFC fights?

published

The UFC has a different number of rounds in regular and championship fights but the time limit for the many fights is set

The UFC is one of the biggest MMA promotions in the world and events almost take place twice a week during their busy periods.

Dana White’s Contender Series is normally held in midweek while UFC events are conducted on Saturdays.

Dana White confirmed the location of UFC Fight Island
UFC President Dana White looks on during the UFC 225: Whittaker v Romero 2 event at the United Center on June 9, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Each UFC event has a main card and multiple prelim cards, if the event features many stars. The number of rounds per fight seems set for most matches but championship rounds in the UFC are different.

How many rounds are there in a UFC fight?

Regular fights in the UFC are standard events with three rounds each. Championship fights, which are normally the last and second last fights on a UFC card are five rounds each.

The same set of rounds apply for the male and female fighters, even if they are fighting for the belts.

How long are the UFC rounds?

The UFC rounds all are five minutes each with around 30 seconds in between rounds for fighters to be worked on by doctors and paramedics.

Normally, coaches also provide some feedback and pointers to their fighters during the break in between rounds.

Who won the fight at UFC 254?
Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

The time limit for the championship bouts is also five minutes per round, and such clashes have often gone the full distance.

Championship clashes in the UFC are about mental fortitude, toughness and stamina since stars are locked in the Octagon for 25 minutes at least.

When can UFC fights be stopped?

A referee can stop UFC fights when a fighter is knocked out or taps out to a submission. The referee also has the power to stop fights if he or she feels that the fighter cannot protect themselves from an onslaught.

Injuries can also stop UFC fights, something we have seen happen to Anderson Silva in a title fight against Chris Weidman where his leg was broken.

Herb Dean is considered as the best MMA and UFC referee
Referee Herb Dean separates Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia from Conor McGregor of Ireland after McGregor tapped out in their UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

If a fight goes all the way to the end of the rounds, then there are three judges who score each round and award points to a winner.

More UFC news

Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates