Boxing and MMA are two separate, albeit similar disciplines and one of the most popular combat sports in the world. Still, despite the similarities, these two combat sports have a lot of specific details that make them unique in their own way.
These specifics concern fighting, but also the rules of the game and we have decided analyzes one of those differences in today’s article. So, today’s topic is going to be the difference between KO and TKO in boxing and MMA. Let’s get to know the technical knockout vs knockout difference!
In this Article hide
What Is a Knockout in Boxing and MMA?
The Rules of Knockout in Boxing and MMA1. Knockouts in Boxing2. Knockouts in MMADifference Between a KO in Boxing and MMA:
The Rules of Technical Knockouts in Boxing and MMA1. Technical Knockouts in Boxing2. Technical Knockouts in MMADifference Between a TKO in Boxing and MMA:
In boxing, a KO occurs when fighter losses consciousness and is unable to get back after a 10-second count (in MMA there is no count). In both boxing and MMA, a TKO occurs when a fighter is still conscious but is unable to defend from strikes properly.
| Boxing | MMA | |
| KO | Fighter losses consciousness; 10 second count | Fighter losses consciousness; no count |
| TKO | Fighter still consciouss but unable to fight back | Fighter still consciouss but unable to fight back |
As you just saw, the differences between KO and technical knockout aren’t that big but are significant which is why we thought you might want to know all the details. Let us begin!
What Is a Knockout in Boxing and MMA?
A knockout (often abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports and martial arts, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts (MMA), karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking.
A full knockout is considered any legal strike or combination thereof that renders an opponent unable to get up and continue the bout, usually due to loss of consciousness.
The term is often associated with a sudden, traumatic loss of consciousness caused by a physical blow, usually to the head. Single powerful blows to the head (particularly the jawline and temple) can produce a cerebral concussion or a carotid sinus reflex with syncope and cause a sudden, dramatic knockout that will end the fight. Body blows, particularly the liver punch, can cause progressive, debilitating pain that can also result in a knockout.
In boxing (and kickboxing, too), a knockout is usually awarded when one participant falls to the canvas and is unable to rise to their feet within a specified period, typically because of exhaustion, pain, disorientation, or (most often) unconsciousness.
When a knockout occurs, for example, if a boxer is knocked down and is unable to continue the fight within a ten-second count, they are counted as having been knocked out and their opponent is awarded a victory by KO
In mixed martial arts (MMA fight), no time count is given after a knockdown, as the sport allows submission grappling as well as ground and pound techniques. If a fighter loses “goes limp”, as they say in the sport, as a result of legal strikes it is declared a KO
Even if the fighter loses consciousness for a brief moment and wakes up again to continue to fight, the fight is stopped and declared a KO In MMA, it is also possible to score a KO via ground and pound techniques, which is a common form of victory for grapplers.
Types of Knockouts
Besides the regular knockout we’ve talked about in the paragraphs above, there are some other types of situations we’d like to discuss. They are:
- A technical knockout (TKO or T.K.O.), or stoppage, is declared when the referee decides that a fighter cannot safely continue the match for any reason; this happens during a round. Certain sanctioning bodies also allow the official attending physician at ringside to stop the fight as well, but this rule is not universal. In many regions, a TKO is declared when a fighter is knocked down three times in one round, but this is also not universally applied. In an MMA match, the referee may declare a TKO if a fighter cannot intelligently defend him/herself while being repeatedly struck.
- A double knockout happens when both fighters trade blows and knock each other out simultaneously, and are both unable to continue the fight. In such cases, the match is, of course, declared a draw.
- A knockdown occurs when a fighter touches the floor of the ring with any part of the body other than the feet following a hit but is able to rise back up and continue fighting. The term is also used to describe situations where the fighter is hanging on to the ropes, caught between the ropes, or is hanging over the ropes and is unable to fall to the floor and cannot protect himself. A knockdown triggers a count by the referee (normally to 10); if the fighter fails the count, then the fight is registered as a K.O.
- A flash knockdown is a knockdown where the fighter hits the canvas but recovers quickly enough that a count is not started.
Now that we’ve shown you what a knockout is and how it can manifest itself in a fight, it is time to see the exact rules that pertain to them in boxing and MMA.
The Rules of Knockout in Boxing and MMA
As stated, a knockout (often abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports and happens after any legal strike or a combination thereof that renders an opponent unable to continue fighting, usually due to loss of consciousness. Although not essential, boxing and MMA have different rules when it comes to knockouts, so let us see those differences.
1. Knockouts in Boxing
As we’ve already stated, boxing referees use the so-called 10-second rule to count down a fighter before declaring a knockout; this, of course, only happens when the fighter is not knocked out unconscious. During the countdown, a fighter who’s knocked down needs to get back up and show the referee that he can continue the fight normally. If he is not able to show sufficient signs thereof, the referee will stop the match and declare a K.O.
So, what does this exactly mean? The first situation is clear – a fighter knocks his opponent unconscious and the match is immediately interrupted because it’s obvious that the fighter cannot continue the fight. In the second possible situation, a fighter is not knocked out unconscious but is knocked down on the mat.
The referee starts to count and if he counts to 10, the match is stopped and a KO is registered. If the fighter manages to stand up before that moment, he must show sufficient proof that he is able to continue. If he is conscious and standing, seemingly well, but does not respond to the referee’s questions, the referee will declare a KO despite everything.
2. Knockouts in MMA
The situation in MMA is not very different. If a fighter loses consciousness, the referee immediately declares a KO But, unlike boxing, MMA takes into consideration how the loss of consciousness occurred. For example, if a fighter loses consciousness as a consequence of choking, the fight is not registered as a KO, but rather as a submission.
So, what constitutes a KO in MMA? In the first case scenario, a KO happens when a fighter loses consciousness after being kicked or punched, which is the same scenario as in boxing. But, in MMA, a fight can be registered as a KO even if the fighter is not knocked out unconscious, but rather when he is unable to intelligently defend himself after being repeatedly hit or getting a strong shot to the liver.
The fighter usually falls down and, despite remaining conscious, cannot continue the fight which is why the referee intervenes and stops the fight to prevent further harm.
Another big difference is that MMA doesn’t have counting like in boxing. Namely, since MMA allows for ground pounding, if a fighter is knocked down, the fight can just continue on the ground until one fighter is knocked out or beat into submission, to force an intervention from the referee.
Difference Between a KO in Boxing and MMA:
| Criterium | Boxing | MMA |
| Time | 10 second counting | None |
| Loss of consciousness | Automatic K.O. | Automatic K.O. |
| Knockdown | The fighter has 10 seconds to get up and prove he can intelligently continue the fight | The fight continues normally |
The Rules of Technical Knockouts in Boxing and MMA
A technical knockout (TKO or T.K.O.), or stoppage, is, as we have already explained, declared when the referee decides that a fighter cannot safely continue the match for any reason; this happens during a round. Although not essentially, boxing and MMA have different rules when it comes to knockouts, so let us see those differences.
1. Technical Knockouts in Boxing
A technical knockout in boxing usually occurs when the referee deems the fighter unable to normally defend himself in the middle of a round. For example, if one fighter keeps punching his opponent and he’s just taking shots, without defending himself, the referee will jump in, stop the match and declare a T.K.O., because the opponent, although not knocked down, is clearly unable to continue fighting normally. This might also happen later on, as a consequence of an earlier knockdown. This is the main difference between KO and TKO – a TKO is declared when the fighter is conscious but unable to fight, while a K.O. happens when a fighter is unconscious and cannot continue to fight because of that.
A T.K.O. can also be called due to an injury. If either the referee or the ringside physician declare that the fighter is unable to continue due to an injury, the fight is declared a T.K.O. win for the other fighter.
2. Technical Knockouts in MMA
The situation in MMA is pretty similar. A TKO in MMA occurs when a fighter is being repeatedly hit and cannot defend himself from the barrage, which is why the referee intervenes and stops the fight; this usually happens near the fence or when one fighter has the upper position on the ground. Also, like in boxing, a TKO can occur in case of an injury.
The latter case scenario is more frequent in MMA, because fractures and similar injuries are more frequent in the octagon than in a boxing ring.
Difference Between a TKO in Boxing and MMA:
| Criterium | Boxing | MMA |
| Consciousness | The fighter is still conscious | The fighter is still conscious |
| Injuries | Yes | Yes |
| Who can do it? | Referee, physician | Referee |
Conclusion
A K.O. in a boxing bout is very similar to a K.O. in MMA, and the same goes for technical knockouts. However, there are some small, but important differences. In boxing, a K.O. can happen from a fighter being knocked unconscious, or being deemed unable to continue by the referee after being knocked down during the fight. In MMA fights, a K.O. can also occur from being knocked unconscious, but also from any strike that renders the fighter unable to continue (such as a liver shot) to fight and defend intelligently.
In both MMA and Boxing, a T.K.O. occurs when the referee determines that the fighter is unable to defend himself, despite being fully conscious. A T.K.O. can also be called if the fighter is unable to continue due to injury.
Absorbing the seriousness of a knockout blow, or a technical knockout, it’s clear that combat sports are not just about skill, strength, and speed, but also the paramount importance of safety and protection. For the women engaged in these sports, the choice of equipment can be a make or break factor. If you find this discourse engaging, I strongly recommend you peruse the best boxing gloves for women – an article that seamlessly ties the understanding of technique with the selection of safety gear.
When talking about KOs and TKOs in boxing and MMA, you might ask yourself which sport is more dangerous. We wrote an article about safety in boxing and MMA, so, if you are interested, check it out.
Boxing and MMA KO frequently asked questions
What is TKO in boxing?
In boxing, a TKO happens when the figWhat’s the meaning of TKO?hter cannot defend against a barrage of violent punches or when he is unable to fire back at his opponent. The referee can stop the fight if he thinks the fighter cannot defend intelligently, but a ringside physician can also choose to end it because of the cut.
What’s the meaning of TKO?
According to Collins Dictionary, TKO is a judgment of a knockout given when a boxer is in the referee’s opinion too badly beaten to continue the battle without risk of serious injury.
What is TKO vs KO in boxing?
TKO means that the fighter stayed on his feet, but the referee stepped in and waved off the contest to prevent him from further beatdown. A knockout means the fighter is out cold, or that he was unable to beat the count after he was sent on the canvas due to the opponent’s punch.
Thank you for reading this article and we’ll see you soon! Until next time!
