Abstract

Background: The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has evolved into a global sports leader, experiencing significant changes in its competitive and strategic landscapes over the past two decades.Objectives: This study aimed to analyze and compare the temporal characteristics of UFC male bouts by examining fight duration, number of rounds, and outcome distribution across three distinct two-year periods: 2003-2004 (Period 1, n=77), 2013-2014 (Period 2, n=823), and 2023-2024 (Period 3, n=835). A sensitivity analysis was conducted on 3-round fights (n=1,660) to control for potential confounding effects of 5-round bouts.Results: Significant differences were found in both total fight duration (F=6.477, p=0.002) and number of rounds (F=6.627, p=0.001). Fights in Period 1 were significantly shorter (495.8±362.0 s) and had fewer rounds (1.97±0.01) than those in Period 2 (636.5±358.2 s, 2.4±1.0 rounds) and Period 3 (650.1±361.9 s, 2.4±1.0 rounds). A significant association was found between period and fight outcomes (χ²=12.845, p=0.046). Post-hoc analysis revealed that Period 1 had a higher proportion of KOTKO finishes (45.5%) and differed significantly from Periods 2 (p=0.008) and 3 (p=0.014). The sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings, with an even stronger association for outcomes in 3-round fights (χ²=75.67, p<0.001).Conclusion: UFC fights have become longer and more frequently decided by judges’ decisions over the past 20 years. The greatest change occurred between the early 2000s and the 2010s, with the last two decades reflecting a state of competitive balance.