California MMA regulatory reform proposals

Following UFC 331, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) Executive Director Andy Foster proposed several regulatory changes to mixed martial arts (MMA) rules. These proposals include implementing a three-tier foul system to manage fighter conduct and consulting medical professionals regarding the use of certain peptides to accelerate healing. Foster also criticized officiating and judging accuracy during the event.

A central part of the proposal involves reclassifying lateral knee kicks, or oblique kicks, as fouls due to the risk of serious ligament damage. While UFC CEO Dana White has expressed support for this ban, the proposal has faced opposition from fighters and commentators. Critics, including former fighter Thiago Santos, argue that the technique is defendable and that officials should instead prioritize enforcing rules against strikes to the back of the head or eye pokes.

Expanding on the rationale for the ban, Foster stated that the technique—a straight stomp to the knee—poses risks that outweigh its benefits. He specifically highlighted the danger of 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 push for regulation follows several injuries sustained by UFC fighters from oblique kicks in 2026. The technique was notably a signature move for retired UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who used it to control distance and punish opponents.