MMA set for controversial rule change as promotion requests return of move UFC banned

Combat sports promoter Scott Coker has officially submitted a request to bring back a controversial MMA move banned in the UFC.

Former Bellator President Coker recently announced the launch of a new global mixed martial arts promotion called Ki MMA, scheduled for an early 2027 debut.

Ahead of their first event, the combat sports promoter has decided to attempt to make a major change, as he hopes to bring the controversial move of knees to the head of grounded opponents back to MMA.

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Banned UFC move could return after Scott Coker request

Under the Unified Rules used by the UFC, a knee to the head of a grounded opponent is completely banned, with the rules agreed more than 25 years ago in April 2001.

But Coker believes that it's time for the move to be reintroduced and has formally requested permission from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) to discuss bringing the controversial knee strike back at its next meeting on December 1.

"I’ve always believed MMA should keep evolving," Coker wrote.

"Ki MMA has formally requested a rule change to bring elements of the Global MMA Rules into the Unified Rules, excluding soccer kicks, stomps and linear knee strikes as per Rule 533. We’ve asked CSAC to discuss this topic at the Dec. 1 stakeholders meeting."

As it stands, fighters can only knee grounded opponents in the body, legs, and shoulders while they are grounded.

A grounded opponent is classed as a fighter with any body part other than their hands or feet touching the canvas, under the updated Unified Rules.

Depending on the referee’s ruling and whether your opponent can continue, the punishment for using the illegal move can be severe,

In perhaps the most notable example, current UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan lost his belt back at UFC 259 on 6 March 2021 after landing an illegal knee to a grounded Aljamain Sterling in the main event.

Referee Mark Smith told Yan that Sterling was grounded, but the Russian still decided to knee Sterling in the head, leading to the American being unable to continue.

The strike was ruled an intentional foul, and was disqualified leading to Sterling becoming champion.

Will illegal knees to the head actually be allowed?

As it stands, it is not known if CSAC will approve the change, but it is believed that the matter will be discussed at the meeting in December.

CSAC executive director Andy Foster has previously voiced a willingness to try new rule sets, with California among the first states to grant licenses for more controversial combat sports like bareknuckle boxing and slap fighting.

Coker is no doubt hoping to bring back the move as it further tries to mimic Japanese mixed martial arts, like the popular PRIDE Fighting Championships.

Already it has been confirmed that Ki MMA fights will take place un a ring, rather than a cage, to appear more like Japanese MMA.