Ties are rarer than you might expect because points are calculated to one decimal and depend on event level and time value. But they happen, especially in new divisions with few results. KBN uses a simple, public order to break them.
The order
- 1. Points, highest first.
- 2. Verified wins, most first.
- 3. Last name, alphabetically (A to Z).
That is the complete rule. It is stored as a configurable setting (tie_break) so that if the Ranking Committee decides to change it, the change is versioned and applied to everyone at once.
Why verified wins?
After points, the number of verified wins is the most objective measure that is not already in the points. Two fighters with equal points may have got there differently: one through a few big results, one through many smaller wins. Preferring more wins rewards consistent winning and is easy for anyone to check on the profiles.
Only verified wins count. Pending or rejected results make no difference, and neither does any win outside the division being ranked.
Why last name as the final step?
It is neutral, predictable and needs no judgement. It is not a sporting criterion, which is exactly the point: once points and wins are equal, the sporting evidence says the fighters are level. The alphabetical order simply decides who is listed first.
Worked example
| Position | Fighter | Points | Verified wins | Decided by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B. Adeyemi | 120.0 | 4 | More verified wins |
| 2 | D. Alvarez | 120.0 | 3 | Last name (A before M) |
| 3 | C. Martin | 120.0 | 3 | Last name |
All three have 120.0 points. Adeyemi has the most verified wins, so ranks first. Alvarez and Martin are also level on wins, so the last name decides: Alvarez is listed before Martin. Always apply the steps strictly in order: points, then wins, then name. A fighter with more wins but fewer points is never lifted above someone with more points.
Do tied fighters share a rank?
No. Each fighter receives a distinct position in the table after the tie-break is applied. Movement arrows compare each fighter's position with their position 30 days earlier.
Ties in different scopes
The same tie-break applies in all three scopes: world, continental and national. Because the continental and national tables are filtered views of the same calculation, the relative order of two fighters is always consistent across scopes.
Rounding
Bout points are rounded to one decimal, and the fighter's total is the sum of bout points rounded to one decimal. Ties are judged on those rounded totals, which are the numbers shown in the tables.
Where to see wins
The number of verified wins used in the tie-break is the W in the fighter's verified record for that division. It includes wins at any age, including results older than 24 months that no longer score points, because the record keeps every verified result.
Myths and facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Head-to-head decides ties | KBN uses points, then verified wins, then last name |
| Tied fighters share a rank | Every fighter receives a distinct position |
| Recent form breaks ties | Recency is already in the points through the time value |
| The rule is fixed forever | It is a configurable rule; any change is versioned and applied to all |
Why ties are rare
Points depend on event level (×1.0 to ×3.0), time value (100%, 50%, 0%) and base points that vary by method and placement, rounded to one decimal. Two athletes with different careers rarely land on exactly the same total. Ties are most common in new, thin divisions where several athletes have a single identical result.
Ties across disciplines
Tie-breaks are applied within a table. Two fighters in different divisions are never compared, even if they have the same points. And because points never transfer between divisions, a fighter's wins in another discipline or weight class never affect a tie-break in this one.
The example in a chart
Frequently asked questions
QIs the tie-break the same in every discipline?
Yes. The same order applies to every table.
QCan the Ranking Committee change the tie-break?
Yes. It is a configurable rule; any change is versioned and applied to all tables equally.
QDo draws count as wins in the tie-break?
No. Only verified wins count in the second step.
QWhy not use head-to-head results?
Many tied fighters have never met. Points, then wins, then name is a rule that always produces an answer and is easy to check.
Figures in this article are computed from the KBN register at the time of reading. View, like and share counters on this demo site are sample values.