Mixed Fighting Championship

Mixed Fighting Championship is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts (MMA) organization.

History

The MFC had its first fight card on March 13, 2004 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. On the fight card, a team of nine Russian MMA fighters challenged American counterparts. Since MFC 1, the MFC has hosted six other major fight cards.

Rules

The current rules for the MFC were originally established by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board [ [http://www.state.nj.us/lps/sacb/docs/martial.htm Mixed Martial Arts Unified Rules of Conduct, Additional Mixed Martial Arts Rules] , New Jersey Athletic Control Board. Retrieved April 3 2006] . The "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts" that New Jersey established has been adopted in other states that regulate mixed martial arts, including Nevada, Louisiana and California. These rules are also used by many other promotions within the United States and are mandatory for those states that have adopted the Unified Rules, and so have become the standard "de facto" set of rules for professional mixed martial arts across the country.

Rounds

*Each non-championship mixed fighting contest is to be for three (3) rounds, of five (5) minutes duration, and one (1) minute rest period.

*Each championship mixed fighting contest is to be for five (5) rounds, of five (5) minutes duration, and one (1) minute rest period.

Weight divisions

The MFC currently uses five weight classes:

* Lightweight: (145 lb – 154.9 lb)/(66 kg–70 kg)
* Welterweight: (155 lb – 169.9 lb)/(70 kg–77 kg)
* Middleweight: (170 lb – 184.9 lb)/(77 kg–84 kg)
* Light Heavyweight: (185 lb – 204.9 lb)/(84 kg–93 kg)
* Heavyweight: (205 lb – 264.9 lb)/(93 kg–120 kg)

In addition, there are four other weight classes specified in the Unified Rules which the MFC does not use: Flyweight (125 lb and under), Bantamweight (126-135 lb), Featherweight (136-145 lb), and Super Heavyweight (265 lb and above). [http://www.state.nj.us/lps/sacb/docs/martial.htm]

Match outcome

Matches usually end via:
*Submission: a fighter taps on the mat or his opponent three times (or more) or verbally submits.
*Knockout: a fighter falls from a legal blow and is either unconscious or unable to immediately continue.
*Technical Knockout: stoppage of the fight by the referee if it is determined a fighter cannot "intelligently defend" himself or by ringside doctor due to injury.
*Judges' Decision: Depending on scoring, a match may end as::*unanimous decision (all three judges score a win for one fighter), :*split decision (two judges score a win for one fighter with the third for the other), :*majority decision (two judges score a win for one fighter with one for a draw), :*unanimous draw (all three judges score a draw), :*majority draw (two judges score a draw).:*split draw (the total points for each fighter is equal)

A fight can also end in a technical decision, technical draw, disqualification, forfeit or no contest.

Judging criteria

· Unanimous Decision- When all three judges score the bout for the same contestant· Split Decision - When two judges score the bout for one contestant and one judge scores for the opponent· Majority Decision- When two judges score the bout for the same contest and one judge scores a draw

· Draw Unanimous - When all three judges score the bout a draw· Draw Majority - When two judges score the bout a draw· Draw Split - When all three judges score differently

Fouls

The Nevada State Athletic Commission currently lists the following as fouls: [ [http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-467.html NSAC Regulations: CHAPTER 467 - UNARMED COMBAT] . Nevada State Athletic Commission. Retrieved April 3 2006]

In addition, the MFC has declared the following actions as fouls:

· Elbow strikes of any kind and in any position· Butting with the head · Eye gouging of any kind · Biting or spitting at an opponent · Hair pulling · Fish hooking · Groin attacks of any kind · Intentionally putting finger in any opponent's orifice (including laceration) · Small joint manipulation · Strikes to spine or back of the head · Heel kicks to the kidney · Throat strikes of any kind (includes grabbing trachea) · Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh or grabbing the clavicle. · Kicking the head of a grounded fighter · Kneeing the head of a grounded fighter · No stomping of grounded fighter · Holding the fence · The use of abusive language in fenced area/ring · Any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to opponent. · Attacking an opponent on or during the break · Attacking an opponent under the referee's care · Timidity (avoiding contact, intentional and/or consistent dropping of mouthpiece, or faking an injury) · Corner interference · Throwing opponent out of fenced area/ring · Flagrant disregard of the referee's instruction's · Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck · Throwing in the towel during competition

Disqualification occurs after any combination of three (3) fouls or after a flagrant foulA fouled fighter has up to five (5) minutes to recuperate.

Current champions

* Welterweight Champion : Nick Thompson

See also

* PRIDE Fighting Championships
* K-1
* International Sport Combat Federation
* International Kickboxing Federation

References

External links

* [http://www.mfcsport.com/ Official MFC site]
* [http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?organization_id=430 MFC event results at Sherdog]
* [http://www.ultimefanatic.com/modules/news/index.php?storytopic=62 Maximum Fighting Championship news at UltimeFanatic.com]