What Does No Contest Mean In The UFC?
Not all UFC fights conclude with a definitive winner or loser. One such outcome is a “No Contest.” which can often leave fans and fighters alike puzzled.
So, what exactly does “No Contest” mean in the UFC, and how does it impact the fighters involved?
What Does No Contest Mean In The UFC?
In the UFC, a “No Contest” is an official result indicating a fight ended in a manner preventing it from being declared a win, loss, or draw for either fighter. This outcome often arises from circumstances outside the fighters’ control.
Causes include unintentional fouls, such as accidental eye pokes or illegal strikes like groin shots, which can render a fighter unable to continue. There are also external factors, such as equipment malfunctions or power outages in the arena, that can also lead to a No Contest.
On top of that, post-fight drug test failures can retroactively turn a victory or defeat into a No Contest, nullifying any competitive advantage gained through banned substances.
Unlike a draw, which reflects an equal performance, a No Contest voids the fight’s result as if it never happened, leaving no mark on either fighter’s pro record.
What Causes No Contest In UFC?
Several scenarios can lead to a No Contest in the UFC. Firstly, unintentional fouls play a significant role. For instance, accidental eye pokes or illegal blows, such as groin strikes, can render a fighter unable to continue. If these fouls occur before the fight reaches a decisive point, the bout is often declared a No Contest.
A notable example is the fight between Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier at UFC 211, which was ruled a No Contest due to illegal knees thrown by Alvarez.
Secondly, external factors can also cause a fight to end in a No Contest. Equipment malfunctions, like a broken cage or faulty gloves, can disrupt the fight’s flow. Moreover, environmental factors, such as a power outage in the arena, can lead to the same result.
An example of this is the fight between Brandon Vera and Thiago Silva at UFC 125, where Silva’s positive drug test for banned substances led to the result being overturned to a No Contest.
Lastly, drug test failures by either fighter can turn a victory or defeat into a No Contest. If a fighter tests positive for banned substances post-fight, the result can be overturned to a No Contest by the Athletic Commission, nullifying any competitive advantage gained in a fight.
A well-known case is the fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier at UFC 214, where Jones initially won by knockout, but the result was later changed to a No Contest after Jones tested positive for a banned substance.
Do Fighters Still Get Paid After A No Contest?
Fighter compensation in the UFC includes several components: base pay, win bonuses, and performance bonuses. When a fight ends in a No Contest, fighters typically receive their base pay.
However, they usually miss out on win bonuses and sometimes performance bonuses, depending on the circumstances surrounding the No Contest.
The UFC’s payment structure aims to reward fighters for definitive victories and standout performances. Therefore, the financial impact of a No Contest can be significant, especially for fighters relying on win bonuses to boost their income.
Do Fighters Get an Instant Rematch After a No Contest?
Fighters do not automatically receive an instant rematch after a No Contest. However, the UFC often considers the context and circumstances surrounding the No Contest when deciding whether to schedule a rematch.
If the No Contest resulted from an accidental foul or external factor that prevented a fair conclusion, the UFC might arrange a rematch to give both fighters a chance to compete again under fair conditions.
For example, after the bout between Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier at UFC 211 ended in a No Contest due to an unintentional illegal knee, the UFC scheduled a rematch to resolve the unfinished business.
However, rematches are not guaranteed and depend on factors such as fighter availability, scheduling, and the UFC’s broader matchmaking plans. The decision to grant a rematch considers the interests of the fighters, the organization, and the fans.
For example, Jon Jones never faced Matt Hamill for the second time despite all the controversies. The UFC and Jones simply moved on.
Does No Contest Impact UFC Fighters’ Rankings And Career?
A No Contest can have various implications for a fighter’s career and ranking. Since it is neither a win nor a loss, it generally does not affect a fighter’s record in terms of victories and defeats. However, the circumstances leading to the No Contest can influence public perception and promotional opportunities.
For instance, if a No Contest results from an unintentional foul, it might not drastically impact a fighter’s ranking. Conversely, a No Contest due to a failed drug test can tarnish a fighter’s reputation and hinder their career progression.
Promotions and matchmakers consider the context behind a No Contest when planning future bouts, making it a significant yet nuanced factor in a fighter’s career trajectory.
UFC No Contest Examples
Several notable UFC fights have ended in a No Contest. One famous example is the bout between Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier at UFC 211. An unintentional illegal knee from Alvarez led to the fight being stopped and declared a No Contest. This result set the stage for a rematch, which Poirier won decisively.
Another example is the fight between Matt Hamill and Jon Jones at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. Although initially declared a disqualification win for Hamill due to illegal elbow strikes from Jones, many fans and analysts argue it should have been a No Contest, given the unintentional nature of the fouls.
Additionally, Anderson Silva’s victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 183 was overturned to a No Contest after Silva tested positive for banned substances. This example highlights how drug test failures can retroactively change fight results, impacting both fighters involved.
Is No Contest The Same As a Draw?
A No Contest is not the same as a draw in the UFC. A draw occurs when the judges score the fight evenly, reflecting an equal performance from both fighters. In contrast, a No Contest nullifies the fight’s outcome entirely, often due to external factors or unintentional fouls.
While both results prevent a definitive win or loss, they arise from different circumstances and carry distinct implications for the fighters involved.
Is A No Contest Classified As a Loss?
A No Contest is not classified as a loss. It does not count against a fighter’s win-loss record. Instead, it is a neutral result that signifies the fight ended without a conclusive outcome. However, the context leading to a No Contest, such as a failed drug test, can have repercussions that indirectly affect a fighter’s career, even if it doesn’t officially count as a loss.
Conclusion
In the UFC, a No Contest represents a unique outcome where the fight ends without a definitive winner or loser. Various factors, including unintentional fouls, equipment malfunctions, and drug test failures, can lead to this result.
While fighters typically receive their base pay after a No Contest, they miss out on potential win and performance bonuses. The impact on rankings and careers varies, influenced by the specific circumstances behind the No Contest.
