California Athletic Commission head proposes MMA oblique kick ban

Andy Foster, head of the California State Athletic Commission, has proposed banning oblique kicks in mixed martial arts (MMA) due to safety concerns. The proposal has received public support from UFC CEO Dana White following UFC 331.

Critics and fighters have expressed opposition to the potential ban. MMA commentator Jed Meshew argued that the technique does not meet the threshold for catastrophic injury compared to other legal moves like heel hooks. He suggested that rules should focus on strikes that cause death or permanent disability, such as shots to the back of the head.

Former UFC fighter Thiago Santos, who suffered significant knee injuries during a title bout against Jon Jones, also voiced opposition. Santos stated that the technique is not inherently difficult to defend and that fighters have the option to block or move to avoid the strike. He suggested that officials should instead prioritize enforcing rules against illegal strikes like eye pokes and shots to the back of the head.