The Fight Game, Explained

Straight answers about how MMA actually works — the weight cuts, the money, the rankings politics. Written by the team behind Rising Fighter, a free fighter-career sim that models all of it.

Guide

What Do Cornermen Do in MMA?

Three people, sixty seconds, one plan — who's allowed in the corner, what the cutman can legally use, and when the towel comes in.

Guide

What Is Octagon Control?

Commentators say it every round; judges almost never score on it. What cage control really means under the Unified Rules.

Guide

How to Watch MMA: A Beginner's Guide

Where to watch UFC, ONE, and PFL in 2026, how fight cards are structured, and what to look for once the cage door closes.

Guide

MMA Terms Glossary

Underhooks, 10-8 rounds, "and new" — every word you need to follow a fight card, in plain English.

Record

The Longest Win Streak in UFC History

Makhachev's 17 straight is the new record — the full all-time list, and why almost nobody gets past a dozen.

Profile

Who Is Quillan Salkilld?

14-1, 6-0 in the UFC, five first-round finishes — the record, the style, and how fast he got here.

Result

Makhachev vs Machado Garry: UFC 330 Result

He got the record: 17 straight. The result, the scorecards, and an honest grade of the game plan we published.

Free Tool

MMA Weight Cut Calculator

Walk-around weight, target division, weeks left — see if your cut is makeable, heavy, or hospital math.

Guide

How Does MMA Scoring Work?

The 10-point must system, 10-8 rounds, and every decision type on the scorecard, decoded.

Guide

How Do Weight Cuts Work in MMA?

The science, the day-by-day fight week, what goes wrong, and how the rules are changing.

Guide

How Much Do MMA Fighters Actually Make?

Purses, win bonuses, what managers and coaches take, and why most pros keep day jobs.

Guide

MMA Weight Classes Explained

Every Unified Rules division and limit, catchweights, allowances, and picking the right class.

Guide

How Do MMA Rankings and Title Shots Work?

Who votes, what actually moves you up, and why the #1 contender doesn't always get the call.

Guide

How to Become an MMA Fighter

From first gym session to amateur record to pro debut — the honest version.

Reading About It Is the Easy Part

Rising Fighter is a free MMA career sim in your browser: weight cuts, purse negotiations, rankings, rivalries — every call is yours, and every call costs something.

★★★★★ 4.95/5 · 92 player reviews

“Played it all night and got an earful from my wife.” — 앤쵸비바이퍼 (player review, translated)

Play Rising Fighter Free

No download. Runs in your browser.