Cameron Allen
Combat sports come with a variety of rules and regulations that try to minimize the huge risk of life-threatening injuries fighters can face participating in them. One of them is the “No Contest” rule where a fight can be nullified or declared void based on unforeseen circumstances outside of the fighter’s control.
Read below to learn all about this rule, famous examples, and how bets are affected when a fight is ruled as a “No Contest”.
What is no contest in UFC?
In the MMA, which includes the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), a no-contest fight refers to a ruling made by the referee or the governing body of the sport when a fight cannot produce a solid outcome.
This could occur due to many reasons such as accidental fouls, injuries, or other unforeseen interruptions or circumstances that prevent the fight from continuing fairly and competitively.
When a fight is declared a “no contest,” it means that it is essentially nullified, and neither fighter is awarded a win, a loss, or even a draw. The result of the fight is not reflected in the two fighters’ records, and therefore it is treated as if it never took place.
No Contest Rules UFC
In the UFC, a fight can be declared a “no contest” for various reasons. One common instance is if there’s an accidental foul that significantly impacts the outcome of the fight by giving one fighter a significant disadvantage.
An example of this is if a fighter accidentally pokes their opponent in the eye and the injured fighter is unable to continue, in such a case, the UFC fight may be ruled a “no contest.”
Another common scenario is if there’s an issue with the fight itself, like if there’s a malfunction with the cage or the equipment, or if there’s interference from someone not involved in the fight. In cases like these, the fight is stopped and declared a “no contest” by the referee or the governing body like the UFC.
UFC No Contest Example
There are several different examples of when a fight ends with a no-contest decision. Some of them are:
- Illegal Strikes to the back of the head
- Accidental Eye pokes
- Failed Drug test or use of banned substances
- Outside Interference
- Hitting a downed opponent
What Happens to my Bet if the Fight is scored ‘No Contest’?
Regarding betting, what happens to your bet depends on the specific sportsbook or betting platform you use.
Different platforms have different rules when it comes to “no contest” outcomes. Some platforms may consider a “no contest” as a push, meaning your original bet amount is returned to you without any winnings or losses.
Other organizations may have specific rules in place to determine the outcome of the bet. It is common for them to consider the fight a win or a loss based on the progress of the fight before it is declared a no-contest.
It’s always recommended to check the terms and conditions of the betting platform you used or reach out to their customer support for clarification on how they handle “no contest” outcomes before placing a bet.
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Most Famous UFC No Contests
- Anderson Silva vs Nick Diaz- UFC 183: As hyped as this fight was, it was a disappointment. Silva won the fight but he tested posted for anabolic steroids later on, so the fight was turned into an NC. Nick Diaz was also found to be under the influence of pot.
- Eddie Alvarez vs Dustin Poirier- UFC 211: Another highly anticipated fight between two excellent fighters. However, a no-contest decision was given after Eddie Alvarez hit Dustin Poirier with a knee while he was on the ground, leading to a disqualification in the second round.
- Gray Maynard vs Rob Emerson- TUF 5 Finale: Maynard slammed Emerson to the ground but he face-planted onto the canvas as well. While Emerson tapped out due to injury, Maynard was also knocked out momentarily. Hence the ref declared the fight an NC.
- Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier II- UFC 214: The rematch between UFC GOATS Jones and Cormier ended as a knockout win for Jones, until he tested positive for juice. It was hence overturned into a no contest.
What is no contest in Boxing?
When it comes to boxing, a “no contest” occurs when a fight is stopped or deemed inconclusive due to certain unforeseen circumstances. It means that the fight does not have a clear winner or loser. This can happen if there’s an accidental foul causing an injury, or there’s some other unusual situation that prevents the fight from continuing fairly in a competitive manner.
If a boxing match is declared a “no contest,” it’s like the fight never happened, so it doesn’t count towards a either boxer’s win or loss record. It’s a way to ensure fairness and safety in combat sports. It makes sure neither boxer get’s an unfair advantage over the other.
No Contest Rules in Boxing
In boxing, the overall rules for a fight being ruled a no contest are very similar to those of MMA. A boxing match is usually declared a “No contest” when there is some sort of accidental injury, illegal strike resulting in an injury, intentional illegal strikes, outside interferences or equipment malfunctions.
Things like hitting the back of the head and headbutts are common reasons for fights being declared void.
Boxing No-Contest Examples
There are several different reasons for why a boxing match could be prematurely stopped. They are:
- Illegal Strikes to the back of the head
- Accidental Low blow
- Accidental Eye pokes
- Accidental Headbutt
- Failed Drug test or use of banned substances
- Outside Interference
- Failing a drug test
- Hitting a downed opponent
What Happens to my Bet if the boxing fight is scored ‘No Contest’?
When it comes to “No contest” decisions in boxing and other combat sports, what happens with your bet amount depends on the organization. Some organizations will return your amount as it is, while others might use the progress of the fight to decide who would have won.
Most Famous No-Contest Boxing Fights
There have been many memorable fights that ended with a No-contest decision. Below are three of some of the most well-known fights that were ruled a “no contest”.
- Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield II (1997): This is infamously known as the “Bite Fight.” During the match, Iron Mike bit off a piece of Holyfield’s ear in anger, resulting in a disqualification and a “no contest” ruling. It was one of the most shocking and controversial moments in boxing history.
- Andrew Golota vs Riddick Bowe II (1996): In their rematch, Andrew Golota repeatedly landed low blows on Bowe, leading to multiple-point deductions during the fight. Eventually, Golota was disqualified due to excessive fouling, resulting in the fight being ruled a “no contest”. It was a highly anticipated fight that ended in disappointment among fans.
- Lennox Lewis vs. Hasim Rahman II (2001): In their rematch, Hasim landed a powerful punch that knocked out Lewis, this was ruled a “no contest”. However, this ruling was later overturned, and Lewis regained his heavyweight titles. This was just one of the fights that showcased the unpredictability and drama of boxing.
These fights are remembered for their uniqueness and the impact they had on the sport of boxing. They serve as reminders to boxers that anything can happen in the ring, leading to unexpected outcomes and “no contest” rulings. However it should be remembered that these rulings were more common in the past than in modern boxing.
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What is the Impact of No-Contest Rulings on a Fighters’ Record?
When a fight is ruled as a “no contest,” it doesn’t have any impact on a fighter’s record. The result is essentially erased, and it’s like the fight never happened in terms of their win-loss record. A “no contest” ruling doesn’t count as a win or a loss for either fighter.
It’s a way to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the sport. So, fighters can rest assured that their records won’t be affected by a “no contest” outcome. It’s all about keeping things fair and square in the world of boxing
Fighters can still ask for a post-fight appeal but overturned decisions are highly unlikely, especially for an accidental illegal strike resulting in the decision. In the case of UFC legend Jon Jones, UFC President Dana White has tried his hardest to turn Jones’s only loss (via DQ) into a no-contest to protect his spotless record.
How are No-Contest Rulings Decided?
When it comes to deciding “no contest” rulings in boxing, it’s usually up to the referee or the governing body of the sport. They carefully assess the circumstances surrounding the fight and consider factors like accidental fouls, injuries, or any other unforeseen events that may have affected the bout’s outcome.
The decision to declare a fight as a “no contest” is a technical decision made to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the sport. It’s important to have impartial judgment and take into account the rules and regulations of boxing.
So, it’s ultimately the responsibility of the officials overseeing the fight to make the call and determine if a “no contest” ruling is appropriate.
Controversies Surrounding No Contest Calls
Whenever a fight is ruled as a “No contest” fight. Many controversies surface against the incident.
It is common for combat sports fans to say the decision was dramatic or incorrect. The legitimacy and transparency of the governing bodies is often questioned in these sorts of incident, especially for highly anticipated fights.
