The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) rules state that Effective Striking/Grappling is the top priority. Heavy power shots that alter the momentum of a round, cause visible damage, or score knockdowns supersede light touches or volume jabs. Deiveson Figueiredo's signature style ("Deus da Guerra") exemplifies this principle: even when being out-landed 30 to 25 in raw strikes, his concussive right hands and lethal front-choke submission attempts routinely secure 10-9 or 10-8 rounds in championship competition.

10-8 Round Criteria: A 10-8 round is awarded when a fighter wins by a large margin across Impact, Dominance, and Duration (the 3 "D"s). If a fighter inflicts heavy damage and forces defensive survival throughout the round, judges are instructed to score 10-8 even without a finish.