Should the UFC Change Its Control-Time Rules After UFC 322?
Last weekend at UFC 322 gave fans an unforgettable night filled with thrilling action and numerous incredible fights across the card. UFC 322 featured a lineup that delivered several spectacular knockout finishes, showcasing striking skill and overwhelming power demonstrated by competitors. The main event between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena carried hype but delivered an anticlimactic result that disappointed fans.
Makhachev entered the bout as the clear betting favourite, with fans expecting an incredible showdown showcasing both fighters’ diverse skillsets. The Dagestani champion ultimately made the contest appear easy, securing a dominant unanimous decision victory after five rounds. However, many fans expressed disappointment afterward, claiming the fight felt boring primarily due to Makhachev’s conservative approach throughout the matchup.
Across five rounds, Makhachev accumulated 19 minutes of overwhelming control time, leaving Della Maddalena unable to mount a meaningful offense. Although experts praised this clinical dominance, many casual fans struggled to appreciate a methodical style that appears uneventful throughout contests. Despite earning double-champion status with this victory, Makhachev still faced criticism and trolling directed at his calculated and controlling performance.
SHOP: Kickboxing Gear
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko dominated Zhang Weili by using her superior size and grappling to dictate every exchange. Despite delivering another decisive title defense, many fans criticised her strategic but conservative performance, calling the champion’s calculated approach disappointingly boring.
Potential change in control-time rules UFC?
The debate surrounding potential changes to UFC control-time rules intensified after UFC 322, with critics questioning whether prolonged control truly deserves heavy scoring. Many argue that extended dominance without notable damage or genuine submission attempts should not outweigh a fighter’s overall offensive effectiveness during competitive rounds.
Concerns continue growing that current judging criteria encourage positional holding instead of meaningful action, ultimately resulting in slower fights that disappoint audiences. Many within the MMA community believe judges should prioritise impactful striking and real submission threats because those actions clearly demonstrate offensive intent.
Others maintain that control time remains essential since it highlights a fighter’s ability to dictate pace, positioning, and overall momentum throughout. In reality, the real problem stems from judges inconsistently applying criteria, creating frustration rather than flaws within the scoring system itself.
READ MORE: Peacehaven’s professional boxer Liam Forrest aims for world title
Recent posts
