What Is the ‘UFC’ in Sports?

“UFC” stands for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

It is the premier organization for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the world.

Think of the UFC exactly like the NFL or NBA.

• MMA is the sport (like football).
• UFC is the league (like the NFL).

(You will sometimes hear people say “I train UFC,” but that’s actually incorrect! It’s like saying, “I play NFL.” They actually train in MMA).

Key Facts to Know

• The Setup: Fights take place in an eight-sided cage called “The Octagon.”
• The Rules: Fighters use a mix of boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu to defeat their opponent.
• The Format: Most fights are 3 rounds (5 minutes each). Championship fights and “Main Events” are 5 rounds.
• Weight Classes: Just like boxing, fighters only compete against people their own size, ranging from Flyweight (125 lbs) up to Heavyweight (265 lbs).