CSAC official calls for ban on oblique kicks in MMA

A top official from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) is calling for a ban on oblique kicks in mixed martial arts due to the risk of severe, permanent injury to fighters.

Andy Foster, an executive at the CSAC, stated that the technique—a straight stomp to the knee—poses risks that outweigh its benefits. He noted that the kick can cause the ‘unhappy triad,’ a simultaneous rupture of three knee structures that requires extensive rehabilitation and can lead to lifelong complications. Foster argued that because fighters have a limited professional window, the potential for permanent damage is an unacceptable tradeoff.

The technique was a signature move for retired UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who used it to control distance and punish opponents throughout his career. The push for a ban follows several injuries sustained by UFC fighters from oblique kicks in 2026.