The terms “knockout” and “technical knockout” are not foreign to the modern world of boxing. MMA, however, had to come up with rules as its sport has evolved. MMA’s rules have to encompass more rules so they may include ground fighting and striking. Some of the striking rules are similar to the boxing rules. Some of them being what actually define the differences between a TKO and a KO.
Boxing has been around for hundreds of years, its modern Marquis of Queensbury rules were first adopted in 1867. Even then they adopted a difference between the terms TKO and KO. “In Boxing, should the referee count to ten, then the knocked-down boxer is ruled “knocked out” (whether he or she is unconscious or not) and the other boxer is ruled the winner by knockout (KO). A “technical knockout” (TKO) is possible as well, and is ruled by the referee, fight doctor, or a fighter’s corner if a fighter is unable to safely continue to fight, based upon injuries or being judged unable to effectively defend themselves.”
In MMA however, many things can happen that sometimes make it hard to determine the difference between a TKO and a KO. Since New Jersey was one of the first states to come up with MMA rules, we will use them for the comparison. The New Jersey Athletic commission defines a KO as, “Knockout by failure to rise from the canvas.” They go on to say that a technical knockout is determined by, “Referee stops bout, Ringside physician stops bout or when an injury as a result of a legal maneuver is severe enough to terminate a bout.”
Others, like the late PRIDE organization, chose not to include the KO ruling in their rules. PRIDE had only the term “technical knock out” defined as, “If the referee sees that one fighter is completely dominant, to the point of endangering his opponent, the referee will stop the match. In the event that a fighter is injured (via fair methods) and cannot continue the match, his opponent will be declared the winner. The ring doctor will be the one to determine whether the fighter can continue or not. In the event that an injury was caused by illegal methods, the perpetrator will be disqualified. A fighter’s corner throws in the towel.”
Without the 10 second count, like referees in boxing have, MMA referees must quickly decide whether a fighter is defending himself or that he is unconscious. Not only that, but the referee’s ruling will dictate when a fighter can fight again. Depending on weither it is a KO or TKO can as Steve Mazzagatti states, “makes a differnce as to how long the commission will not let a fighter fight.” Maybe to a seasoned referee it isn’t as complicated as it sounds, but in a few fights I have watched and wondered, just what made that a KO and not a TKO?
Sources: Knockout Wiki, PRIDE Organization Rules, Boxing Wiki History Source, MMA Wiki History Source, New Jersey MMA Rules Source
