What Is No Contest in UFC And Other Combat Sports?

In UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and other combat sports, there are various ways by which a match ends. Almost everyone knows about the three ways with which a match can end, such as by one fighter winning the contest, losing the contest, or with a draw, in which both fighters make equal scores and neither is given a victory. But the most confusing one and almost a rare one is a situation when a match is declared a result of “no contest”. This is a rare term, and people often get confused by this term and don't know what it means. This article will explore this term in a detailed way and clear up any confusion people have regarding this term.

According to the official reports and organizations, a no-contest is defined as the situation in which a match is ended without declaring a victory to any of the fighter due to the reasons or situations which are out of control for a fighter, referee, or UFC organization, i.e., they are left with no other option than to stop the match.

No contest in boxing refers to the same as in UFC. It indicates all the situations that are not in anyone’s control, due to which the match cannot be continued. In all other combat sports, no contest has the same meaning.

There are various situations in which a match can be declared as no contest, but some of the situations are as follows:

Any outside interruption that is unstoppable can affect the match result and cause it to be finished or stopped. This can include a lot of troublesome situations, such as crowds in the arena jumping over into the ring, or even some simple issues, such as an electrical issue.

• If severe injuries happen during the official UFC match to any one of the fighters, then the match is declared a no contest. However, there are some conditions to this situation. One condition is that both fighters should have played less than four rounds. If they have played four or more rounds, then the match cannot be declared as a no-contest. The judges of the match will decide the match winner based on fight scores. 
• The condition is that the injury must be accidental and not intentional. If the injury is intentionally caused by the fighter to their opponent, then the latter will be punished instead of declaring the match a no-contest. If the injury is accidental, then the match will be declared as accidental. The third condition is that the injury must not be ordinary. It should be serious enough to stop the match to confirm that the fighter cannot continue playing.

• The third reason for the stopping of the matches is the failures in drug test results. The fighters are tested to check whether they have been using the drugs or not. If the test is positive then the match is declared as no contest. Fighters often use drugs to boost their stamina levels and also their energy levels so that they can keep on fighting with their opponents with full energy.
• For this reason, fighters are tested for their drug levels in their blood. If the drug levels are detected, then they are not allowed to enter the match and fight. The result is that the match is declared as no contest.

The fourth reason is the violation of the rule by the player. If the fighter, whether during the match while fighting against their oppoent or before the match, violates any of the rules set by the UFC or any other martial arts organization, then he or she cannot fight in the match against their opponent, and the match is declared as a no contest.

Fixing is a common issue in almost all sports played around the world. In fixing, both fighters agree on one match result before the match, and then both play the match according to the pre-decided match result. Today, sports organizations are very good at detecting whether the match is fixed or not. But somehow, the match still gets fixed. If the sports organization notices that the match is fixed, then the match is cancelled, and it is declared a no-contest.

Another reason for declaring the match as no contest is the broken stage or fighting area. Although this is not common. The bigger organizations like UFC maintain their stage, ring, and other things, but in small organizations, it can happen anytime. If the stage or ring is broken or has a crack, either before or during the match, the match is declared a no-contest.

Sometimes the fighter who lost the match thinks that he or she was mistakenly scored or judged, and the match decision was wrong according to which they lost the match; They can go to the high commission in sports and submit their appeal to have the match judged and scored again. If they win, then the match is declared a no-contest. This eliminates the one-loss match from the records of a fighter.

If both fighters knock each other out during the match, then the match is declared a no-contest. It is a very rare moment in any sport. But this is another situation when the match is declared a no-contest.

All other issues, if they are too serious that the match cannot be continued smoothly or as the match was before, then the match has to be stopped. The result is declared as no contest. For example, if any issue is found with the ring at the time of the fight, then the match cannot be played. So, all other issues like this have an effect on the match, and it is called a no-contest match.

The following are some of the famous UFC fights that were declared as no contests:

• The most famous no-contest match is widely considered the bout between Nick and Anderson. Both Nick and Anderson are considered two of the best players in the UFC. Their match became very famous in 2015, in which Anderson won the match by decision. 
• But the celebration for Anderson could not last long, as the drug test, which was conducted before the fight, interrupted his win. Surprisingly, the drug test results declared both fighters were using the drug before the fight. After the drug test result, the most famous Nick and Anderson match was declared a no-contest match. The win, which was added to Anderson’s UFC record, was removed thereafter.

Bernard Hopkins is considered one of the best boxers in boxing history. Bernard has given many famous bouts. In 1998, Bernard was playing against Robert. The referee accidentally pushed Bernard out of the ring. Although this was an accidental push, it was received very badly by Bernard. He got his ankle injured due to the push. His ankle was so severely injured that he was not able to continue the match. So after this accident, the match was stopped, and no one was declared the winner. The match was declared a no-contest.

The John Ruiz vs. James Toney match was the most unexpected thing that happened to boxing fans around the world. The match was played in 2015. It was the final of the World Boxing Association (WBA). James won the match and claimed the WBA boxing heavyweight title. But just like Anderson, James was not able to enjoy his celebrations any longer. The drug test results came after the match. James tested positive for the test results. The match was declared a no-contest, and James was no longer celebrating his heavyweight title win.

No contest is not a commonly used term in UFC and other combat sports, such as boxing, judo, and MMA. However, as a martial arts fan, everyone should know its meaning and concept. Despite everything, all martial arts organizations remain very cautious in detecting any illegal thing done by a fighter or any other thing that is not good for the match to be played smoothly, so they promptly declare the match a no-contest.

Yes! The fighters get their pay despite the result of the match. But their record remains the same. 

It depends on the situation of the match. In most sports, if the match is stopped while both fighters are playing, then no, and if the match has not even started, then yes. The tickets are returned. It also depends on the martial art and the organization conducting the match event.

No! The official martial arts fighting record remains unchanged since he or she did not play the match. The match is not counted as a win, loss, or draw.