(Please like if you agree or think this idea deserves further discussion.)
Two simple tweaks. Big impact.
- 10–9.5 = “Boring win / Razor close”
- 10–8.5 = “Big round” (high aggression + big moments/near-finishes)
That’s it. Only two new scores.
No other decimals unless there’s a point deduction or a future KICK adds them.
This respects close rounds, it PENALIZES low aggression/stalling/low output and REWARDS action, aggression and output in a more attainable way.
Why this helps
Right now, a slow control round can score the same as a round where someone’s actually pushing the pace. That doesn’t feel right, and it encourages stalling.
This fixes that. If you win while killing the action, you still win the round, but you don’t get rewarded like it was a great round. And if you go for it and create real danger, you’ve got a bigger score you can realistically chase.
The rule
Allowed scores (standard rounds):
- 10–9.5
- 10–9
- 10–8.5
- 10–8
Decimals policy: No other decimals unless (1) a point deduction happens, or (2) a future KICK explicitly adds them.
How judges use it
- 10–9.5 (“Boring win / Razor close”)
Use it in either case:- Razor close: extremely tight round, one fighter has a small clear edge.
- Boring win: clear winner, but low output and low intent to score.
Examples: unnecessary tie-ups with no work, repeated stalling off the wall, parry-and-run, repeat takedown attempts mainly to burn time.
- 10–9 (“Standard win”)
Clear winner with good/normal aggression. Not dominance. - 10–8.5 (“Big round”)
Clear winner, high aggression, and big moments or near-finishes. Not full-round domination. - 10–8 (“Dominance”)
Very clear winner, high aggression, near-total domination for most of the round.
Why 10–8.5 matters
10–8 is hard to earn. It should be.
10–8.5 is the big round that’s actually attainable, and that changes how people fight:
- Round 1: build a real lead, don’t just edge it
- Round 2: don’t coast, push to extend the lead or swing momentum back
- Round 3: if it’s close, you’ve got a clear path to win by pushing hard
Optional: 20-point display (same idea)
If KC wants no decimals on screen:
- 10–9.5 → 20–19
- 10–9 → 20–18
- 10–8.5 → 20–17
- 10–8 → 20–16
(Optional display choice only.)
Potential Future KICKs that pair well if they were passed (separate votes)
- Half-point penalty for missed weight
- Half-point minimum penalty for all fouls, including the first (no “free foul” warning)
- Half-point for knockdown advantage in a round (only if KC later defines/logs knockdowns)
- Open/live scoring (pairs well because the scoreboard shows momentum)
Example (why this changes outcomes in a good way)
Scenario 1 (current scoring)
R1: A boring round win → 10–9 A
R2: A boring round win → 10–9 A
R3: B exciting round win with big moments → 10–9 B
Total: A 29, B 28 → Boring Fighter A wins
Scenario 2 (with half-points)
R1: A boring round win → 10–9.5 A
R2: A boring round win → 10–9.5 A
R3: B big round win → 10–8.5 B
Total: A 28.5, B 29.0 → Exciting Fighter B wins
Implementation
Update judging guidance and scoring graphics to include 10–9.5 and 10–8.5 with the definitions above.
Please like this post if you agree or think this idea deserves further discussion. Feel free to reply with your ideas, concerns or modifications.
Also how does one actually put up a KICK up for a vote, I didn’t see a poll option for this (Is it because I don’t have enough posts?). Or do the mods and/or executives cherry pick the ideas they like or is there an actual process I can do to put this idea up for a vote (once I consider any concerns or modifications that are mentioned). I think this idea would do very well, I would really like to see the community vote on it and decide for themselves.