OKTAGON MMA, a European-based promotion, has announced its decision to implement open scoring for all its fights, starting with the upcoming Oktagon 51 event in Prague on December 29, 2023. Open scoring involves revealing judges’ scores after each round, providing transparency and allowing fighters, coaches, and fans to better understand the fight’s progression.
The promotion believes that open scoring is a step towards increased transparency in MMA judging. While some critics argue that it might lead to fewer action-packed bouts if fighters know they are ahead, OKTAGON MMA co-founder Pavol Neruda sees the benefits outweighing the downsides. He emphasized that open scoring could alter fight strategies, creating more excitement for both fighters and fans.
OKTAGON 51, headlined by UFC veterans Bojan Veličković and Andreas Michailidis in the welterweight tournament finals, will showcase this new scoring system. The promotion plans to continue using open scoring in all its future events.
Invicta FC is currently the only major U.S. promotion consistently employing open scoring, subject to approval by state athletic commissions. OKTAGON MMA’s decision to adopt open scoring marks a significant move in the European MMA scene, and the promotion aims to provide a unique and transparent experience for fighters and fans alike.
Pavol Neruda expressed excitement about being the first European organization to implement open scoring, believing it’s the right step for the sport. Special graphics will be incorporated into the live event and broadcast production to showcase scores to the audience, contributing to a new level of excitement for MMA fans. The decision was influenced by past fights, like the one between Karlos Vemola and Patrik Kincl, where knowing the scorecards in real-time might have influenced the fighters’ strategies. OKTAGON MMA hopes that open scoring will contribute positively to the overall quality of its events.