How Many Types of UFC Decisions Are There? Unanimous, Split, and Majority Decisions Explained

When watching the UFC, you may hear the result announced as:

“Unanimous Decision”

“Split Decision”

“Majority Decision”

All of these are decision victories, but the differences can be surprisingly confusing.

You may wonder:

“What is the difference between a unanimous and split decision?”

“What exactly is a majority decision?”

“Is a split decision basically the same as a draw?”

“Can it still be a unanimous decision if all three judges give different scores?”

The simple answer is that there are three main types of regular decisions that produce a winner when a fight reaches the end of its scheduled rounds:

Unanimous Decision

Split Decision

Majority Decision

The Unified Rules also include a Technical Decision, which can occur when a fight is stopped early because of circumstances such as an accidental foul and the result is determined using the judges’ scorecards.

In this article, I explain the differences between unanimous, split, and majority decisions in the UFC, as well as the different types of draws and technical decisions.

What Are the Three Main Types of UFC Decisions?

First, here is a simple comparison.

Decision	Results From the 3 Judges	Meaning
Unanimous Decision	A・A・A	All three judges choose the same fighter
Split Decision	A・A・B	Two judges choose Fighter A, one chooses Fighter B
Majority Decision	A・A・Draw	Two judges choose Fighter A, one scores the fight a draw

The easiest way to remember them is:

All three judges choose the same fighter → Unanimous

Two judges choose one fighter and one chooses the other → Split

Two judges choose one fighter and one scores a draw → Majority

The important point is that these names describe how the three judges’ final scorecards compare with one another.

Who Decides the Winner in a UFC Decision?

UFC fights are generally scored independently by three judges.

MMA normally uses the 10-Point Must System.

In a typical round, the score may be:

10-9

If one fighter wins by a more significant margin:

10-8

In an exceptionally one-sided round:

10-7

A 10-10 round is also technically possible, although it is extremely rare.

Each judge scores every round individually and then adds the scores together to determine which fighter won the fight on that judge’s scorecard.

The combination of those three scorecards produces the final result:

Unanimous

Split

Majority

or another type of decision or draw.

For a more detailed explanation of the scoring criteria:

How Does UFC Scoring Work? 10-Point Must System, 10-8 Rounds, and Judging Criteria Explained

What Is a Unanimous Decision?

A Unanimous Decision occurs when all three judges choose the same fighter as the winner.

For example, if Fighter A faces Fighter B:

Judge 1 → A

Judge 2 → A

Judge 3 → A

the result is:

Fighter A wins by Unanimous Decision

In other words, all three judges agree on the winner.

Does a Unanimous Decision Mean the Fight Was Dominant?

This is an important point.

A unanimous decision does not necessarily mean the fight was one-sided.

For example, all three judges might independently think:

“Fighter A won, but only by a very small margin.”

That would still produce a unanimous decision.

Therefore, unanimous simply means:

All three judges selected the same winner

It does not mean:

The winner dominated the fight

The judges can also give different total scores and still produce a unanimous decision, as long as all three scorecards favor the same fighter.

What Is a Split Decision?

A Split Decision occurs when the three judges are divided:

2 to 1

For example:

Judge 1 → A

Judge 2 → A

Judge 3 → B

The result is:

Fighter A wins by Split Decision

This means one judge actually believed Fighter B won the fight.

Is a Split Decision a Draw?

No.

Because the word “Split” means the judges were divided, some newer fans may think:

“Does that mean the fight was basically a draw?”

But a Split Decision still has a clear winner.

Two of the three judges selected the same fighter, so that fighter wins the fight.

Therefore:

Split Decision ≠ Draw

Does a Split Decision Always Mean the Fight Was Extremely Close?

This is another common misunderstanding.

Because the judges were divided 2-1, people often assume:

“It must have been an incredibly close fight.”

Many split decisions are indeed close.

However, the fact that a decision was split does not automatically tell you how close the actual fight was.

It only tells you that:

Two judges chose one fighter

while

One judge chose the other fighter

Judging can also become controversial, and there are cases where most viewers believe one fighter clearly won even though one judge scored the fight for the opponent.

For that reason, it is better not to judge the entire fight solely from the words:

Split Decision

What Is a Majority Decision?

A Majority Decision occurs when:

Two judges select the same fighter as the winner

and

One judge scores the fight as a draw

For example:

Judge 1 → A

Judge 2 → A

Judge 3 → Draw

The result is:

Fighter A wins by Majority Decision

What Is the Difference Between a Majority Decision and a Split Decision?

This is probably the easiest area to confuse.

Split Decision

A・A・B

Two judges choose Fighter A.

One judge chooses Fighter B.

Majority Decision

A・A・Draw

Two judges choose Fighter A.

One judge scores the fight as a draw.

So the difference is simply what the third judge decided.

The third judge chose the opponent → Split

The third judge scored a draw → Majority

That is the easiest way to remember it.

Is a Majority Decision “Between” a Unanimous and Split Decision?

Not necessarily.

The terms may make it seem like there is a hierarchy:

Unanimous

↓

Majority

↓

Split

as though they represent different levels of how convincing the victory was.

But these terms do not rank the quality or strength of a victory.

They simply describe how the three judges’ final scorecards were divided.

A unanimous decision can still be extremely close.

A split decision can occur even when many viewers believe one fighter clearly deserved to win.

Therefore, it is not accurate to assume:

Unanimous = dominant victory

or

Split = almost a draw

based only on the name of the decision.

Can the Judges Give Different Scores and Still Produce a Unanimous Decision?

Yes.

For a unanimous decision, the three judges do not need to submit identical numerical scores.

What matters is:

All three judges have the same fighter winning the fight.

For example, the exact totals may differ between the judges.

As long as all three scorecards favor Fighter A, the result is still a unanimous decision.

So:

Unanimous ≠ identical scores

Instead:

Unanimous = identical winner

Why Do UFC Judges Sometimes Disagree?

UFC judges watch the same fight, but they score it independently.

Under MMA judging criteria, the primary consideration is:

Effective Striking and Grappling

If that does not establish an advantage, judges may then consider:

Effective Aggressiveness

and, if necessary:

Fighting Area Control

However, some rounds can be difficult to evaluate.

For example:

How much impact did each fighter’s strikes have?

How dangerous was a submission attempt?

Which fighter produced more meaningful offense during grappling exchanges?

Different judges may evaluate close exchanges differently.

That can eventually lead to a split or majority decision.

Does Every Fight That Goes to the Judges Have a Winner?

No.

If the judges’ scorecards do not produce a winner, the fight can end in a Draw.

There are several different types of draws under the Unified Rules.

What Is a Unanimous Draw?

A Unanimous Draw occurs when all three judges score the fight as a draw.

In other words:

Judge 1 → Draw

Judge 2 → Draw

Judge 3 → Draw

Because all three judges reach the same conclusion, it is called a unanimous draw.

What Is a Majority Draw?

A Majority Draw occurs when two of the three judges score the fight as a draw.

For example:

Judge 1 → Draw

Judge 2 → Draw

Judge 3 → A

Because two judges scored the fight as a draw, the overall result is a Majority Draw.

Even though one judge selected Fighter A as the winner, Fighter A does not win the fight.

What Is a Split Draw?

A Split Draw occurs when the three judges reach three different conclusions.

A typical example is:

Judge 1 → A

Judge 2 → B

Judge 3 → Draw

One judge chooses Fighter A.

One judge chooses Fighter B.

One judge scores the fight as a draw.

Because neither fighter receives a majority of the judges’ support, the final result is a draw.

What Is the Difference Between a Split Decision and a Split Draw?

The names are similar, but the results are different.

Split Decision

A・A・B

→ Fighter A wins

Split Draw

A・B・Draw

→ Draw

In other words:

Two judges choose the same winner → Split Decision

All three judges reach different conclusions and there is no majority winner → Split Draw

What Is a Technical Decision?

Under the Unified Rules, there is also a Technical Decision.

This is slightly different from an ordinary decision.

For example, imagine that a fighter is injured because of an accidental foul and later becomes unable to continue.

If the fight has progressed far enough under the applicable rules for the scorecards to determine the result, the judges’ scores up to that point may be used to determine the winner.

That result is called a Technical Decision.

In simple terms:

Ordinary decision:

The scheduled fight time is completed → The judges’ scorecards determine the winner

Technical decision:

The fight ends early because of special circumstances → If the required conditions have been met, the judges’ scorecards determine the winner

The exact conditions can depend on the athletic commission and the specific rules applied to the event.

So How Many Types of UFC Decisions Are There?

The answer depends on what you include.

If You Mean Regular Decisions That Produce a Winner: 3 Types

They are:

Unanimous Decision

Split Decision

Majority Decision

If You Include the Unified Rules “Decision” Categories: 4 Types

Add:

Technical Decision

to the three regular types above.

Draws Are a Separate Category

There are also:

Unanimous Draw

Majority Draw

Split Draw

Technical Draw

So for someone beginning to watch the UFC, the most important three to remember are:

Unanimous

Split

Majority

Once you understand those, learning about draws and technical decisions makes unusual fight results much easier to understand.

What Is the Difference Between a Decision, KO, TKO, and Submission?

A decision generally occurs when the scheduled rounds are completed without a finish such as a KO, TKO, or submission, and the judges’ scorecards determine the result.

By contrast:

KO/TKO

and

Submission

can end the fight before the scheduled time expires.

What’s the Difference Between KO and TKO? UFC & MMA Fight Results Explained for Beginners

What Is a Submission in MMA? Tap Outs vs. Technical Submissions and Common Techniques Explained

When checking UFC fight results, you may see abbreviations such as:

KO/TKO

SUB

DEC

These indicate how the fight was decided.

Frequently Asked Questions About UFC Decisions

How Many Regular Types of UFC Decisions Are There?

There are three main regular decisions that produce a winner:

Unanimous Decision

Split Decision

Majority Decision

What Is a Unanimous Decision?

A unanimous decision occurs when all three judges choose the same fighter as the winner.

What Is a Split Decision?

A split decision occurs when two judges choose one fighter and the remaining judge chooses the other fighter.

What Is a Majority Decision?

A majority decision occurs when two judges choose the same fighter as the winner and the remaining judge scores the fight as a draw.

Does a Unanimous Decision Mean a Dominant Victory?

Not necessarily.

Even an extremely close fight can result in a unanimous decision if all three judges believe the same fighter won by a narrow margin.

Does a Split Decision Mean the Fight Was Close?

It often occurs in close fights, but the word “Split” alone does not tell you exactly how close the fight actually was.

It simply means that two judges chose one fighter while one judge chose the other.

Is a Split Decision a Draw?

No.

Two of the three judges chose the same fighter, so that fighter wins.

Can It Be a Unanimous Decision if the Three Judges Give Different Scores?

Yes.

The numerical totals do not need to be identical.

As long as all three judges choose the same fighter as the winner, it is a unanimous decision.

If One Judge Scores the Fight a Draw, Is It a Split Decision?

No.

If two judges choose the same fighter and one judge scores the fight a draw, the result is a Majority Decision.

Can a UFC Fight End in a Draw?

Yes.

Possible results include a Unanimous Draw, Majority Draw, and Split Draw.

What Is a Technical Decision?

A technical decision can occur when a fight ends before the scheduled time because of unusual circumstances such as an injury caused by a foul, and the applicable rules allow the result to be determined using the judges’ scorecards up to that point.

Conclusion: The Three Main UFC Decisions Are Unanimous, Split, and Majority

There are three main types of regular UFC decisions that produce a winner:

Unanimous Decision

→ All three judges choose the same fighter

Split Decision

→ Two judges choose one fighter, while one chooses the opponent

Majority Decision

→ Two judges choose the same fighter, while one scores a draw

The easiest way to remember them is:

A・A・A → Unanimous

A・A・B → Split

A・A・Draw → Majority

If no winner is determined, results can include:

Unanimous Draw

Majority Draw

Split Draw

The Unified Rules also include Technical Decision for certain unusual circumstances.

The important thing to remember is:

Unanimous ≠ dominant victory

and

Split ≠ almost a draw

The name of the decision simply tells you how the three judges reached their final conclusions.

When watching a UFC fight, it can also be interesting to look at the official scorecards and ask:

“Which round caused the judges to disagree?”

Understanding that can make UFC decisions much more interesting to analyze.

If you’d like to review the basic UFC and MMA rules and beginner knowledge in one place, start here.
→ UFC & MMA Beginner’s Guide｜Rules, Scoring, Decisions, KOs, and Submissions Explained

Related Articles

How Does UFC Scoring Work? 10-Point Must System, 10-8 Rounds, and Judging Criteria Explained

What’s the Difference Between KO and TKO? UFC & MMA Fight Results Explained for Beginners

What Is a Submission in MMA? Tap Outs vs. Technical Submissions and Common Techniques Explained

How Many Rounds Are in a UFC Fight? Round Length, 3 vs. 5 Rounds, and Fight Duration Explained

Main References

UFC Official | Introduction to MMA

UFC Official | Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts

Association of Boxing Commissions | Unified Rules

Association of Boxing Commissions | MMA Scoring Criteria Clarification