A TKO, or technical knockout, is a term used in combat sports such as boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts. It is declared when the referee decides during a round that a fighter cannot safely continue the match for any reason, or when a fighter is overwhelmed by the attack of their opponent and is "unintelligently defending themselves". In contrast, a KO, or knockout, is declared when one participant falls to the canvas and is unable to rise to their feet within a specified period of time, typically because of exhaustion, pain, disorientation, or unconsciousness. In boxing and kickboxing, a KO is usually awarded when a fighter is knocked down and is unable to continue the fight within a ten-second count. In MMA bouts, the referee may declare a TKO if a fighter cannot intelligently defend themselves while being repeatedly struck.