they should definitely change the rules.
You can have all the talent in the world. Nothing will change in the octagon if the rules don't change.
Tactics to win will always remain the same.
I'm extremely bored with UFC's handling of MMA. All matches look the same.
PRIDE matches consist of three rounds; the first lasting ten minutes, and the second and third lasting five. Intermissions between each round are two minutes in length.
A "warning" will be given in the form of a yellow card or a green card (The green card gives a 10% deduction of a fighters purse) when a fighter commits an illegal action or does not follow the referee's instruction. Three warnings will result in a disqualification.
Referees can give a fighter a penalty card for lack of activity. This method is aimed to prevent inaction.
PRIDE's rules differ from the Unified Rules of Combat in the following ways:
PRIDE allows kicking and kneeing the head of a downed opponent who is on his back. This is considered a foul in the Unified Rules, which only allows kicks and knees to the head of a standing opponent.
PRIDE allows a fighter to stomp a downed opponent. This is considered a foul in the Unified Rules.
PRIDE allows a fighter to Spike (piledriver) an opponent. This is considered a foul in the Unified Rules.
PRIDE does not allow elbow strikes to the head of an opponent. The Unified rules allows elbows provided they are not striking directly down with the point of the elbow.
PRIDE's matches include a ten minute first round, with two minute rest periods. The Unified rules allow rounds no longer than five minutes, with rest periods not exceeding one minute.
PRIDE's matches are not judged on the ten point must system, rather judges score the whole fight. The Unified rules call for all matches to be judged using the ten point must system.
Decision
If the match reaches its time limit then the outcome of the bout is determined by the three judges. The fight is scored in its entirety and not round-by-round. After the third round, each judge must decide a winner. Matches cannot end in a draw.
A decision is made according to the following criteria in this order of priority:
the effort made to finish the fight via KO or submission,
damage given to the opponent,
standing combinations and ground control,
takedowns and takedown defense,
aggressiveness, and
weight (in the case that the weight difference is 10 kg/22 lb or more).
In Bushido, red cards are issued in a similar way that yellow cards are used in PRIDE FC. A red card results in a 10% deduction of the fighter's fight purse. Red cards can be given out in an unlimited number without disqualification. If fighters commit the following actions, they shall be given a red card by officials:
Stalling or failure to initiate any offensive attack,
making no attempt to finalize the match or damage the opponent, and
holding the opponent's body with the arms and legs to produce a stalemate.
