It is not a secret that in the world of mixed martial arts there are more than a few current rules that need to be adjusted. As the sport becomes more and more mainstream, the spotlight grows larger and larger. Organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship can no longer afford to have important fights mangled due to rules that shouldn’t be in place. Finally, it seems as if the UFC has decided to take action, sending its Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs, Mark Ratner, to make a formal proposal to the Association of Boxing Commissions regarding rules that need to be changed. Here are some suggestions for rules changes that should be included in the request:
Five minutes for recovery from eye pokes
We’ve seen it time and time again. Now, many mixed martial arts fans expect that at least two fighters will be poked in the eye at some point during every MMA event. However, at UFC 159 we saw multiple fights end in odd fashion due to eye pokes. The sudden and unexpected injury makes it difficult for fighters to see, and being immediately asked “can you see?” by the referee isn’t the best way to handle the situation.
Instead, fighters should be given five minutes to recover, just as they are when kicked in the groin. While the groin is very important to life outside of the cage, the ability to see is much more important during competition, and should be given the same consideration, if not more. Giving the fighters five minutes and the opportunity to be examined by the fight doctor will give them the most protection from real damage.
Standard practice for point deductions
Whether it is on purpose or accidental, fouls do occur while competing in mixed martial arts. Eye pokes, groin shots, cage grabs, and other illegal activities happen during the intense action of a fight. Referees are charged with deciding when to take points from fighters they believe are maliciously bending the rules, but not enough of them put sufficient emphasis on the practice.
Giving fighters one warning following by a point deduction upon the second occurrence would set the tone and send the message that they need to be more careful during competition. For example, fighters often open their hands to post against their opponents in order to defend punches. This practice often leads to eye pokes, which, as we have seen, can ruin bouts. Now, refs should immediately warn fighters who do so, and in the instance of an eye poke after said warning, dock a point.
With only 3 or 5 rounds to work during mixed martial arts bouts, losing a point can bring about a dramatic swing in a fight, but that still should not overshadow the fact that rules are in place to protect the best interests of the fighters.
Redefine the definition of a downed opponent
During the growth of MMA it’s been captivating to watch the development of fighter strategy going on in the cage. Now, it has become a common practice for fighters to place their fingertips on the mat when in a vulnerable position to avoid taking knees. This has led to outcry that fighters are using the rule prohibiting knees to a downed opponent in a way it wasn’t meant to be.
A fighter with one hand on the ground should not be considered a downed opponent. This is an entirely different position as being seated or down on one knee. That individual is still standing, and has the opportunity to defend him or herself, or create scrambles if needed. For example, look at the fight between Joe Stevenson and Nate Diaz back at the TUF 9 Finale in 2009. Stevenson used the tactic to avoid knees to the head, which could have turned around the bout in favor of Diaz. Was this “cheating?” Not at all, but the definition of downed opponent should not include anyone who is firmly standing on both of their feet.
It will be interesting to see what comes out of the annual conference that will occur in San Antonio, Texas this July. Hopefully, those with the power to truly influence the sport will make the right calls to create an improved rule set.
A fighter on one knee can also defend him or herself and many use that position to attack via a takedown. A "downed fighter" should be a fighter whose torso or either elbow is touching the canvas. Hands and knees should NOT be included in the definition because having either touch doesn't make a fighter defenseless.