how do they measure reach in ufc

They measure UFC “reach” the same way you’d measure wingspan: fingertip to fingertip with arms stretched straight out to the sides, parallel to the ground.

How they measure arm reach

• The fighter stands upright, usually against a wall or in a measurement area.

• They extend both arms horizontally to the sides at shoulder height, forming a straight line.

• A tape measure is run from the tip of the middle finger on one hand to the tip of the middle finger on the other.

• That distance (in inches in the UFC) is the listed “reach” or wingspan you see on the Tale of the Tape.

So if fingertip‑to‑fingertip comes out to 72 inches, the fighter’s official reach is 72".

What about leg reach?

UFC also measures leg reach, though it’s shown less prominently.

• The measurement runs from the hip bone down to the heel of the foot, on a single leg.

• This gives a sense of how long a fighter’s kicking range is, separate from their arm reach.

Why people debate the method

Some analysts argue this method isn’t a perfect picture of striking range.

• It includes shoulder width, which can make two fighters with similar “functional” reach look different on paper.

• Strikes are thrown with closed fists, so some suggest measuring fist‑to‑fist instead of fingertip‑to‑fingertip.

Even with those criticisms, fingertip‑to‑fingertip wingspan is still the standard way reach is listed in UFC broadcasts.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.