What is a No Contest in UFC? (Ultimate Guide)

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In UFC, the NC means no contest. This is a result that can happen if there is an accidental foul, or if both fighters cannot continue due to injury. If this happens, the match is considered a draw, and neither fighter gets a win or loss on their record. There are other reasons why a bout might end in a no contest, but those are the most common ones. Check out this article for more information on what exactly constitutes an NC in UFC.

What is no contest in UFC?

There are a few reasons that could cause a “no contest” in the UFC. The first, and most common, is an accidental foul. This could be something like a headbutt, low blow, or an illegal strike to the back of the head. If a fighter accidentally commits one of these fouls, and the other fighter is unable to continue, the fight ends in a no contest. It is not always in the fighter’s control, accidents happen.

Another potential cause of a “no contest” is an injury to one or both fighters. If a fighter is unable to continue because of an injury, or if their injuries are severe enough that they cannot safely compete anymore, the match will also result in a no contest.

Lastly, a “no contest” can also occur if both fighters are unable to continue. This could be because of fatigue, dehydration, or any other reason. If both fighters are unable to continue, the fight will end in a no contest.

These are the three most common reasons that a UFC match could end in a no contest.

Do Participants Get Paid for No Contest?

Yes, UFC fighters get paid for an appearance. If a bout ends in a no contest, the fighters will still get paid their appearance fee. The amount of money that they receive typically depends on their ranking and the length of the match. Overall, most UFC fighters stand to make money for each match, regardless of whether it ends in a win, loss, or no contest.

Example of a Famous No Contest UFC Fight

Brock Lesnar vs Mark Hunt

On the UFC 200 card, there was a heavyweight bout. Lesnar won the fight by unanimous decision, but after the fight, it was revealed that Lesnar had taken a banned substance. His win was revoked and the fight was called a no contest.

Eddie Alvarez vs Dustin Poirier

In this lightweight fight in UFC 211, the fight was stopped due to illegal strikes. During the second round, Eddie Alvarez had Dustin Poirier up against the fence and landed three illegal knees to Poirier’s head. The third knee downed Poirier. The fight was stopped momentarily before calling it off as a no contest.

Yair Rodríguez vs Jeremy Stephens

This was a highly anticipated fight. UFC Fight Night 159 ended with a no-contest due to an inadvertent eye poke from Rodriguez. In the first round, as Rodriguez was pushing away from Stephens after engaging with him, he accidentally poked Stephens in the eye. Since Stephens’ eye could not open even after the 5-minute referee timeout, the fight was called off and declared NC.

Anderson Silva vs Nick Diaz:

This rematch fight between Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz was highly anticipated. However, the fight ended as a no-contest because Silva tested positive for Drostanolone metabolites. Drostanolone is an anabolic steroid that helps keep muscle strength. Androsterone is a drug that enhances athletic performance. Diaz’s testing positive for marijuana was also accounted for.

Other fights include:

  • Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier: Failed drug test
  • Kevin Holland vs Kyle Daukaus: accidental head clash
  • Greg Hardy vs Ben Sosoli: illegal use of an inhaler
  • Gray Maynard vs Rob Emerson: self TKO
  • Yair Rodriguez vs Jeremy Stephens: eye poke

What are some of the consequences of an NC in UFC, both for the fighters and for the organization itself?

There are several possible consequences of a no contest in UFC. For one, it may affect the fighters’ careers in various ways. Some fighters may experience negative consequences such as injuries, reduced sponsorship opportunities, or decreased payouts.

Additionally, a no contest can also hurt the UFC organization itself by damaging its reputation and credibility among fans and fighters alike. As such, the UFC must take steps to prevent no contests from happening in the first place, through stricter regulation of matches and fighters as well as increased safety measures.​

Possible reasons for NC:

  • Accidental Injury
  • Failed drug test / positive drug tests
  • Eye pokes
  • Accidental illegal strike
  • Groin strikes
  • Illegal knee
  • Ring issues
  • Judges decision
  • Double knockouts

How can fighters avoid having their fight end in an NC?

There are several things that fighters can do to avoid having their fight end in a no contest.

  • First and foremost, they need to be aware of the rules and regulations governing UFC matches.
  • Second, they should make sure to warm up properly and condition their bodies for the physical demands of the sport.
  • Lastly, they should always be mindful of their safety and the safety of their opponent, and take any necessary precautions to avoid serious injuries.​

Is there anything that fans can do to help minimize the chances of an NC happening during one of their favorite fights?

Yes, there are a few things that fans can do to help minimize the chances of a no-contest happening during one of their favorite fights.

  • First and foremost, they should make sure to educate themselves on the rules and regulations governing UFC matches. This will help them to understand what is and is not allowed during a fight, and therefore what to look out for.
  • Second, they can help to create a positive and supportive atmosphere at UFC events. This includes refraining from booing or jeering fighters, and instead of cheering them on in a respectful manner.
  • Lastly, fans can also play a role in promoting safety by reporting any unsafe behavior or illegal techniques that they witness during a fight.​

FAQ

What was the first no contest result in the UFC?

Benji Radach vs. Steve Berger at UFC 37 resulted in the UFC’s first-ever No Contest.

What Happens if You Bet on a Fight and it’s a No Contest?

If you bet on a UFC fight and it ends in a no contest, there are several possible outcomes. One option is that your bet may be refunded if the bookmakers offer a “no contest” wager. Another possibility is that your bet may be graded as a loss or void, depending on the specific terms of your wager. To avoid any confusion or disputes, it is always best to read the fine print before placing a bet on a UFC fight.​

How often do fights result in an NC?

While no contests are relatively rare, they do happen from time to time. And, when they do, it can be confusing for both fans and bettors alike.

Is No Contest a Draw?

No, a no contest is not the same as a draw in MMA(mixed martial arts). A draw occurs when both fighters are deemed to have won the fight at the same time, or if neither fighter wins or loses. In contrast, a no-contest occurs when one or both fighters cannot continue due to an accidental foul, injury, or another external factor.

What is match-fixing?

Match-fixing is the act of illegally manipulating the outcome of a UFC match. This can be done for financial gain, personal revenge, or any other reason. Match-fixing is a serious crime that can result in prison time and large fines. It is also something that the UFC takes very seriously, and anyone found guilty of fixing a match will be banned

Contest decision vs no contest decision?

There are several key differences between a contest and a no-contest. First, a contest basically means competition with a winner and loser, whereas a no-contest does not have a winner or loser. Second, a contest may be stopped early due to an injury or another external factor, whereas a no-contest will always be stopped by the referee due to an accidental foul or other rule violation. Finally, a contest may be decided using various scoring criteria, such as points, judges’ decisions, or knockouts/submissions, while a no-contest is usually determined by a technical decision.

What percentage of fights end in no-contest?

Throughout UFC history, on average, less than 1% of all bouts end in no-contest.

What percentage of bouts end in technical knockout?

Depending on the weight class, the average TKO is between 30-50% of all fights in each given division.

Does a boxing match of NC?

Yes, boxing matches can end in a no-contest if one or both fighters are unable to continue due to an accidental foul, injury, or another external factor. However, this is relatively rare, and most boxing matches will result in a winner being declared.

What is a unanimous decision victory?

A unanimous decision victory occurs when the judges score a bout in favor of one fighter, but there is no clear winner according to the scoring criteria.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, no contests in MMA are relatively rare, but they can have serious consequences for fighters and the organization as a whole. To help minimize the risk of an NC occurring, fighters should be aware of all applicable rules and regulations, as well as take steps to warm up properly and condition their bodies.

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