What happened: MMA judging runs on a written, detailed set of criteria that governs how every round is scored on the 10-point must system. The standards lay out exactly what judges are instructed to prioritize at the moment they fill out a scorecard, rather than leaving decisions to gut feel.

Why it matters: Scoring is one of the sport's most persistent flashpoints, with close decisions routinely splitting fans and fighters. A clear grasp of the actual criteria separates a legitimate bad-call complaint from a misread of how a round was always going to be weighed.

What to watch: The criteria face their next real test whenever a tight fight is left in the hands of the judges.