MMA Needs New Judging Criteria

Yes, I am at it again.

I don't mean to be a whiner, but when and how can the MMA find a better method of judging fights?

Not just a more efficient system of judging, but one that's less based on boxing rules that would be more fair in taking into consideration the many disciplines which are quickly becoming major features of the sport.

Currently, three different judges from the boxing community judge on a system that can award up to 10 points a round for each fighter's performance. In the event that there is not a knock out or submission that ends the match before the end of the third round in a regular match and fifth round in a title match, then the fight goes to the judges' decision.

A decision can be either unanimous, where one fighter scores the most points on all three judges cards, or a split decision, when the judges differ, in which case, the fight goes to the fighter scoring the highest on two judges cards.

In addition, there can be a draw, in which the fighters are tied and there is no clear winner.

I have heard many arguments about how fighting should be scored. One of the big questions is which should count for more points: getting an opponent in a hold and dominating him, or escaping from a hold when the other fighter is in a dominant position, but fails to maintain control.

Basically: Is trapping harder than escaping? And which should receive the heaviest weight in a match?

This is a legitimate question. In many matches, one opponent will be able to continuously work and get his opponent in one hold after another while the opponent will escape time after time. Who should score the highest?

As far as striking goes, should the number of strikes landed be weighed the same or greater than the quality of the strikes (whether the striker staggers or knocks down his opponent or simply continues to hit with little affect).

Should difficult maneuvers count more than hand strikes? Do knee strikes and kicks landed count the same as fists making contact? How about elbows or leg strikes, which collectively weaken an opponent, but do not knock or keep him down?

And who should decide on how the sport is judged?

The system of points that is in place now is very inconsistent from fight to fight and often leaves both fighters and fans very frustrated.

Is there a fairer system out there, or should a new system be devised, considering all the new variables that have been added to the sport, making judging more of a challenge?

As an MMA lover that wants to see the sport continue to gain in popularity, I feel there is much to be desired in the current system. This especially appears to be true when everyone in the sport keeps warning, "Don't ever let a fight go to the judges."

It is my belief that it shouldn't be this way, and I would love to find a solution.