Perhaps MMA scoring needs some tweaking

(Of course all the pictures on UFC.com of Condit vs. Kampmann show Condit winning.)

Martin Kampmann and Carlos Condit engaged in fantastic bout this past Wednesday. Kampmann rightfully won the bout with a narrow split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29), though many fans are split on this fact. The highly entertaining fight demonstrated a larger issue that currently exists within mixed martial arts judging.

There are several trends that have existed within MMA scoring for some time. For instance, when a fighter knocks down his opponent with a devastating blow, the round is usually scored in his favor. A similar system should be in place for significant submission attempts, like dos Anjos' knee compression of Tyson Griffin. Yet that round was scored in favor of Griffin.

Judges need to start awarding fighters that sacrifice position in favor of a submission attempts. There is a caveat to this argument that judges need to award significant submission attempts not poor ones (where a fighter is not in danger or can easily escape). The trend of judges not awarding the aggressive fighter that sacrifices a dominant position in an attempt to finish the fight is bad for MMA.

Just consider the risk a fighter takes when they sacrifice top position or a takedown when they transition to an armbar, heel hook or guillotine. If the attempt fails you are on the defensive and you are not rewarded by scoring significant points. Submission attempts are quickly becoming a high-risk endeavor. If you succeed you win the fight, but if not you give up position you risk the round being scored against you. No wonder fighters are trending towards standing or simply sitting in an opponents guard.

Fans often lament fighters simply sitting in an opponents guard. While such a strategy has proven itself effective at winning a rounds, it does not make the most visually appealing product; as evident by the boos during the third round of Wednesday's fight. Referees are also culpable in this trend, with the lack of stand ups, when a fighter's guard has neutralized an opponent.

Last Wednesday, Martin Kampmann transitioned away from dominant position several times, most notably was his heel hook attempt. While the submission failed, he did have Carlos Condit in a significant submission attempt. That coupled with the previous significant guillotine attempt, and multitude of takedowns may have won Kampmann the round. Alas, the current scoring method gave the round to Condit.


When I re-watched the first round of the Condit-Kampmann fight I saw Condit land two blows that ultimately gave him the round; one being an elbow that cut Kampmann, the other was a knee. On the other hand, Kampmann secured several takedowns, had a significant guillotine attempt, a heel lock and a second guillotine attempt at the end of the round. In hindsight, who really won that round?

Judging in MMA needs to reward fighters that are trying to finish the fight by sacrificing position.