Johnson vs. McCall to feature UFC Sudden Death debut

Demetrious Johnson, the talented bantamweight that now has the opportunity to be the first flyweight champion in the UFC, has signed a landmark bout agreement with ZUFFA for a ‘sudden death’ round for his fight with Ian McCall at UFC on FX 2. The agreement stipulates that if, after 3 rounds, the judges are undecided on a winner, the fight will go to a 4th round, also called “suuden death.” In a recent interview with TapouT Radio, Mighty Mouse detailed the particulars.

“I don’t know if anybody has said anything about it, and this is the first time I’m mentioning it, is that we (McCall and himself) had to sign for a ‘sudden death’ bout. If it goes to three rounds, and the judges can’t decide who the winner is, then we’ll do a fourth round.”

When asked if this new agreement was specific to his fight, or if it was universal for the entire card, Johnson had this to say,

“I’m assuming that it’s for me and Ian McCall. I can’t say if it’s going to be for Joseph (Benavides) and Yasuhiro (Urushitani), because I’m not gonna say that the UFC made those guys sign, too. I’m telling you, specifically, that I signed a contract for an extra round on the bout agreement. I’m not gonna say that they did. I’m assuming, in my unprofessional opinion, that they did as well.”

Whether this addendum is designed for the introduction of the flyweight division and accompanying tourney, or if it’s something the UFC is instituting for overseas and domestic cards in general, the concept is a good one. For all those times we, as fans, have said ‘One more round!’, this could be the game changer. Hopefully, we get some clarity on the permanence, or lack thereof, for this new twist.

I'd imagine its just for the tournament. I'm not a fan of this for other circumstances

bobbitt15 wrote:

I'd imagine its just for the tournament. I'm not a fan of this for other circumstances

Same here.

Yeah this kind of thing has no place in other kinds of fights. But in a situation where you MUST have a winner barring a freak occurrence that forces a no contest due to accidental headbutt or something, I'll allow it.

I donno, this should be standard issue in the event of any three round draw imo. What does a fourth round hurt? HW slop fests are seldom scored draws anyway so it isn't like this will mean a lot of shitty MMA or anything.

Uncle Creepy gonna tax dat ass. I hope my T-Shirt arrives in time.

I could get behind this for all fights. I like my idea better though. gotta find it.

That ain't happening.

My old idea on time and rounds.

Championship only are 5, 5 minute rounds like they are now. If it's a draw after 5, 5 more minutes with only 2 point deductions for infractions in the final round.

All other fights including main events are 4, 4 minutes rounds with a fifth round if necessary with again 2 point deductions for infractions.

GDPofDRC wrote:

That ain't happening.

My old idea on time and rounds.

Championship only are 5, 5 minute rounds like they are now. If it's a draw after 5, 5 more minutes with only 2 point deductions for infractions in the final round.

All other fights including main events are 4, 4 minutes rounds with a fifth round if necessary with again 2 point deductions for infractions.

This sounds like a crazy goofball freakzilla reform

Why? It creates a system where there are no possibilities for a draw ever occurring while making under card fights more exciting.

Four minute rounds suck, would increase lay and pray as three minute rounds tend to do, my biggest issue, also it would mean less fights per card or at least longer events, less televised fights. More injuries training for potentially longer fights, as five rounders would be pretty common considering how likely 2-2 would be. just some downsides I see.

So you think that rounds longer in length would incite more activity as compared to a round whose time has been compressed. I disagree. Also, how is going from training for a 16 minute fight with three breaks(20 with four breaks if it is a stalemate after 16) some huge leap that is gonna hurt a bunch of fighters compared to a 15 minute fight with two breaks? And what percentage of cards have ever not been complete no matter how many decisions there were, I can think of one in the UFC where the main event was not the final match of the night, also, less bs fluffer videos and more in cage action is the tradeoff of that.

The UFC also would be hampered by that as the need for more advertising space for free cards would be compressed. 4 and 3 minute rounds lead to more heavy takedown games typically, and I think a lot of fights would become 20 minute fights. and that is a lot of extra fighting. No upside, as there are only a small number of draws every year, a handfull.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

The UFC also would be hampered by that as the need for more advertising space for free cards would be compressed. 4 and 3 minute rounds lead to more heavy takedown games typically, and I think a lot of fights would become 20 minute fights. and that is a lot of extra fighting. No upside, as there are only a small number of draws every year, a handfull.

Advertisement problems? Come on man. Advertising problems, tell my why you need more ads? How about the latest Ritz commercial read by Goldie in that round 3 break? Why do you think that rounds longer in length would incite more activity as compared to a round whose time has been compressed, why would one less minute create a more takedown heavy approach? A lot of times before the horn sounds guys pick it up and try to do something to get a finish before letting their opponent bet to the break, one more chance for that to happen. And I guess I missing something about why you want less actual fight on your cards? This wouldn't mean every decision would be 4 round draw in need of a 5th you know, maybe on or two a card, or if there are some really good fights even more.

The UFC cant sustain with PPV, needs to move to a traditional sports model. Though I hate free cards for that reason.

The traditional sports model typically gives each side one last chance to finish if it's a tie at the end of the contest before declaring a draw.

Just keep it the way it is and add your four minute round in the advent of a draw.