<P> On July 9, 2016, it was officially announced that the UFC would be sold to a group led by WME--IMG, its owner Silver Lake Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and MSD Capital, for $4.2 billion . At the time, it marked the largest - ever acquisition in sport . Lorenzo Fertitta stated that the new ownership, "with whom we've built a strong relationship over the last several years, is committed to accelerating UFC's global growth", and that they "share the same vision and passion for this organization and its athletes ." Flash Entertainment (owned by the government of Abu Dhabi) will retain its 10% minority stake in the company . White, who owned 9% of the UFC, stayed, having been given a stake in the new business . Shortly after the sale, it was announced that White would remain president . As a result of the sale, Fertitta stepped down as chairman and CEO . </P> <P> The current rules for the Ultimate Fighting Championship were originally established by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board . The set of "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts" that New Jersey established has been adopted in other states that regulate mixed martial arts, including Nevada, Louisiana, and California . These rules are also used by many other promotions within the United States, becoming mandatory for those states that have adopted the rules, and so have become the standard de facto set of rules for professional mixed martial arts across the country . </P> <P> UFC matches vary in maximum length, depending on whether the match is for a Championship title, or is a fight card's "main event" fight . In all fights, each round can be no longer than five minutes . Championship fights last for a maximum of five rounds . Beginning with UFC 138 on November 5, 2011, non-championship "main event" fights (i.e. the final fight on the card) will also last for a maximum of five rounds . Non-main event bouts last for a maximum of three rounds . UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann featured the organization's first two flyweight fights as part of its first flyweight tournament, which consists of bouts that, in the event of a draw, go to a fourth "sudden victory" round held to determine the winner, who advances . There is a one - minute rest period between rounds . </P> <P> The UFC stages bouts in an eight - sided enclosure officially named "The Octagon". Originally, SEG trademarked the concept as well as the term and prevented other mixed martial arts promotions from using the same type of cage, but in 2001 Zuffa gave permission for other promotions to use octagonal cages, reasoning that the young sport needed uniformity to continue to win official sanctioning . Today Zuffa reserves exclusive use of the name "The Octagon". </P>

How long is a round in ufc fight