What Are the Different Winning Methods in the UFC?

Cameron Kelly Updated: Mar 12 2026 17:04

Taking down an opponent in the Octagon is the goal for every athlete in the UFC. How they do it, often depends on fighting style strengths, the match-up, and weight class. UFC judges use different classification methods to define a winner.

An important note, is the UFC utilizes referees and judges - they do not share a role. One referee manages what is happening inside the Octagon. Whereas, the three judges sit outside to score the fight based on the rules.

The Key UFC Methods of Victory

Knockout (KO) & Technical Knockout (TKO)

A Knockout (KO) is considered a definitive finish where a referee will stop the fight immediately. It happens when a UFC athlete is unconscious or unable to intelligently defend themselves after a strike from an opponent. A KO is one of the most common finishes in the Octagon.

A Technical Knockout (TKO) is when a referee intervenes because an athlete is visibly injured and not intelligently defending themselves. When an athlete loses their ability to compete safely or if a doctor has to get involved that is considered a TKO.

The main difference between a KO and TKO is whether or not a referee gets involved and stops the contest after the strike or impact.

Common knockout finishing tactics is when an athlete strikes with a punch, kick, or using their knees or elbows to secure a KO/TKO.

The heavyweight division features the highest percentage of KO and TKO finishes. Primarily because of the raw power and strength from the heavier weight class divisions that make their knockout strikes more effective towards their opponent.

Submission (SUB)

There are three subcategories for submission rulings.

Physical Tap Out: This is when an athlete rapidly taps their hand to signify they surrender to their opponent. This is the most common out of the three submission categories.
Verbal Tap Out: An athlete verbally announces their surrender or if an athlete verbally shows signs of distress or pain can also count as a verbal tap out.
Technical: If an athletes bone breaks/dislocates or a person is unconscious this is considered a technical submission.

Weight classes with lighter contenders tend to have higher rates of submission finishes. The fast pace of the lighter athletes makes it more difficult for athletes to keep up with one another. Their elite grappling skills and ability to scramble for periods of time often leads to contests ending in a form of submission.

Decision

Each UFC Fight has three judges that score the fight. If a fight is not finished by a submission, KO, or TKO determining the winner comes down to the judges scorecards.

Unanimous Decision: When all three judges score the fight in favor of one athlete.
Split Decision: When two judges score the fight for one athlete and the third judge score is for the opponent.
Majority Decision: When two judges pick one athlete to win, and the third judge scores the fight a draw.
Draw Decision: When all three judges scorecards do not select a clear winner which declares it as an even match.
Technical Decision: This is the most rare, it is when a fight is stopped due to an injury from an accidental foul. It typically happens after three rounds of a five round contest. Whichever athlete is ahead on points at that moment is declared the winner.

Disqualification or No Contest

A disqualification (DQ) in the UFC is classified as an athlete using intentional and/or sever foul play against their opponent.

No contest (NC) is when the contest ends without a winner or loser. It happens when an accidental illegal move prohibits an athlete from being able to continue.

A recent example, is UFC 321 Tom Aspinall was unable to continue after a double eye poke from his opponent Ciryl Gane. This was the first no-contest in a UFC Title Bout due to eye pokes.