Khabib Nurmagomedov, a former UFC lightweight champion, suggested a drastic idea in a recent interview: getting rid of rounds in UFC fights. Khabib is known for his unbeaten record and powerful grappling style. He thinks that rounds in MMA are unimportant and get in the way of the natural flow of combat. His comments sparked significant discussion within the MMA industry and led some to question whether the UFC should alter its operational methods.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Wants Continuous UFC Fights
On The Hustle Show, Khabib said clearly, “I’d change the rules.” There shouldn’t be any rounds. He said rounds are mainly for TV breaks and to make the sport more fun, not for the sport itself. Khabib thinks that a non-title bout should last 15 minutes and that championship battles should go 25 minutes without any pauses or going to corners, just fighting.
He made it clear that other safety regulations, such as no groin blows or eye pokes, would still be in effect. However, fighters would fight nonstop until one of them wins or the time runs out.
GSP and Joe Rogan Have Made Similar Suggestions
Khabib isn’t the first elite fighter to question how MMA rounds work. Back in 2018, Georges St-Pierre, a UFC legend, claimed on Joe Rogan’s podcast that rounds are “stupid” and make the fight less fun. He believed that rounds benefit wrestlers who secure late takedowns and maintain control rather than pursue finishes.
Joe Rogan has even suggested that fighters should start new rounds from the same position they finished the previous one in. For example, if a fighter ends round one in mount, they should also start round two in mount. All of these notions go against the artificial stop-and-start nature of present-day MMA.
Pros and Cons of Removing Rounds in the UFC
Removing rounds from UFC fights might make the action more continuous, improve fighters’ cardio, and increase the chances of finishes. Additionally, it could enhance the naturalness of MMA and lessen its TV-like feel. Judging fights as a whole, rather than in separate rounds, could potentially simplify the process. But this change raises fundamental concerns: without recovery periods, fighter safety could be at risk, the UFC’s broadcast structure would be affected, and the current standards set by athletic commissions would need to be completely changed. Additionally, the constant fighting would require fighters and camps to drastically alter their preparation and strategy planning.
Conclusion
While Khabib Nurmagomedov’s proposal to eliminate rounds in UFC fights presents a bold vision rooted in martial arts tradition, its implementation would require fundamental changes to the sport’s structure. Balancing fighter safety, viewer experience, and regulatory standards is essential before considering such a shift. As MMA continues to evolve, discussions like these emphasise how important it is to refine the sport, not just for entertainment, but for fairness, clarity, and the integrity of competition.
Watch Khabib’s full interview with The Hustle Show below.
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