Types of Knockouts

Competitive fighting includes several dangerous sports that place the combatants in physical danger. Boxing, MMA and other fighting sports includes different rules of victory to help keep participants safe. Knockouts and technical knockouts are the two most common ways a fighter can win in a fight.

  1. Knockout

    • A knockout occurs in combat sports such as boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts. In the match, a fighter will strike his opponent repeatedly. If the fighter strikes her opponent and she hits the ground, it is considered a knockdown. If the opponent is unable to get up after a 10 count, it is considered a knockout and the fighter wins the match.

    How Knockouts Happen

    • A knockout usually occurs after a fighter performs a powerful attack on his opponent. The most common knockouts happen after the opponent is struck in the head. Sometimes, the opponent will lose consciousness for several seconds. Knockouts also happen if a fighter receives significant pain from a strike to a vulnerable area (such as the abdomen, chest and upper body).

    Technical Knockout

    • A technical knockout can occur without the opponent falling to the mat for a 10 count. In this type of knockout, the referee, fighter, ring physician or the fighter's coaches stop the match in progress and determine that a fighter cannot continue the match. If an opponent is far superior in skill and power to his opponent, the technical knockout is used to protect the fighter from suffering debilitating damage.

    Types of TKO

    • There are several ways that a technical knockout (T.K.O.) can be administered. If the fighter has suffered a significant injury during the bout, the doctor may stop the fight, resulting in a T.K.O. The fighter's coach can stop the match if the fighter is getting overpowered by her opponent and can no longer defend herself. If the fighter has been knocked down multiple times in a single round, the referee can decide to stop the match. A TKO can also occur if the fighter decides they don't want to fight any more.