The world of mixed martial arts may be on the verge of a significant philosophical shift. Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has recently suggested that the sport should consider removing the traditional round-based format and instead adopt a single, continuous fight structure—similar to the early days of MMA and to how bouts are conducted in organizations like ONE Championship.

Nurmagomedov, known for his undefeated record and dominant grappling style, believes that breaking fights into timed rounds interrupts the natural flow of combat and favors certain styles over others. In his view, grapplers are often disadvantaged by frequent restarts, which reset advantageous positions and stall momentum.

According to Khabib, a single, uninterrupted fight duration—such as a 10- or 15-minute continuous round—would better reflect the reality of fighting and showcase the athletes’ full skill sets. This approach would not only reduce the impact of the clock but would also allow for more natural finishes, fewer decisions, and less controversial judging outcomes.

SHOP: The Kickboxer Collection

This idea is not entirely new. In the early days of the UFC, fights often had no time limits or were only stopped due to submission, knockout, or referee intervention. Over time, the sport adopted a more structured format—typically three 5-minute rounds for regular fights and five 5-minute rounds for title fights or main events—to gain regulatory approval, TV broadcasting compatibility, and athletic commission oversight.

However, as MMA has evolved, so have conversations around fairness, entertainment value, and fighter safety. Supporters of the single-round format argue that it encourages decisive outcomes and reduces the tendency for fighters to “game the clock.” Critics, on the other hand, raise concerns about pacing, cardio, and fighter safety under longer, uninterrupted durations.

READ MORE: George Jarvis Carries Father’s Legacy and Son’s Future Into Regian Eersel Championship War

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram