Former UFC lightweight champion and current coach to Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is once again making waves in the world of mixed martial arts – this time, not with his fists, but with bold ideas aimed at transforming the sport.
Under current UFC regulations, most fights are scheduled for three five-minute rounds, while main events and title bouts extend to five rounds of the same duration. But for Khabib, that structure is outdated. Speaking on The Hustle Show, “The Eagle” laid out a radical proposal: eliminate rounds altogether.
“Regular fight, 15 minutes. Title fight, 25 minutes,” Nurmagomedov said. “Get rid of rounds. No rounds at all. They just step in and that’s it. What’s the point of rounds?”
Khabib Nurmagomedov said the UFC should completely get rid of rounds 👀
“Regular fight, 15 minutes. Title fight, 25 minutes. Get rid of rounds. No rounds at all. They just step in and that’s it. What’s the point of rounds?”
(via Hustle Show) pic.twitter.com/KwbnHQGDh2
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 27, 2025
It’s a daring concept – one that would dramatically alter the pacing and strategy of MMA bouts.
Without the built-in breaks between rounds, fighters would be forced to maintain a relentless pace, with little opportunity to recover or reset. While this could lead to more explosive action, it also raises concerns about fighter safety, diminished tactical depth, and potentially shorter fights due to exhaustion.
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