Royce Gracie vs Matt Hughes in May

[bdk3clash]

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bdk,

That all assumes that the fight is under standard UFC rules. Royce would be foolish to do 5 5 minute rounds.

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I don't think you understand how UFC operates--all their events take place under rules established by the NSAC and are shared by other states UFC events take place in (mainly New Jersey and Florida recently.) NSAC MMA regulations include things like equipment, round structures, rules, and judging.

All fights are done with 5 minute rounds (3 rounds for non-title fights, 5 rounds for title fights, which this will presumably be) and scored with a 10 point must system.

UFC doesn't determine its own rules. They have to petition NSAC for all rule changes (such as allowing restarts on the ground, which was recently introduced.) Other than that they just have to do what NSAC tells them.

Gracie has made weird stipulations when fighting in Japan for Pride (including unlimited 10-minute rounds vs. Sakuraba , no strikes on the ground in the first fight against Yoshida, and no judges decisions in the second fight against Yoshida) but won't be able to make such demands to UFC directly. NSAC might change their rules but I doubt it.