Jorge Masvidal suggests drastic punishment for eye pokes in MMA

Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal has offered a radical plan to reduce eye pokes in MMA.

Eye pokes are perhaps the most controversial topic in mixed martial arts right now, with several big fighters dealing with the issue during fights.

In undoubtedly the most high profile incident in recent months, UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall was poked in both eyes during the first round of his bout with Ciryl Gane in November.

The British MMA star was unable to continue following the incident and is yet to return to the octagon having undergone several surgeries on both eyes.

Since then, the UFC has faced calls from fans and even fighters to implement harsher punishments for eye pokes in fights, with some suggesting offenders should be immediately disqualified.

But UFC legend Masvidal has argued that a financial punishment needs to be implemented in order to discourage eye pokes, suggesting a 20% purse reduction may be necessary.

Speaking on the Deep Waters podcast, he said: “Hit him with the yellow card right away. Pay deductions and points

"I've been eye poked in a fight two different times and one of them actually stuck with me for, like, three weeks. Colby's b**** ass f***ing dug his nails in my eye and that was, like, three weeks later I was still seeing spots and it was bad and my eye was swollen, I had to go to the doctor to get it checked.

"I’ve never eye poked anybody in my whole career. I’ve got 52, 53 fights, so there is something that it is in our hands.

"I know that things could happen in a fight and you could get poked by accident, but a lot of times as a referee, we can tell when it’s intentional or when this guy’s just doing this stupid s***, you know a little bit Jon Jones-ish, every time you come in I’m going to give you a little eye check. Just step back with my hands open.

"Immediate point deduction, yellow card. Take money from the purse, too. Take 20 percent,”

Two-time champion calls on UFC to deal with eye pokes

Masvidal's comments come just days after two-time women's strawweight champion Rose Namajunas called on the UFC to introduce sterner penalties for eye pokes.

Namajunas, 33, was recently cleared to return to training three months after she was forced to undergo eye surgery to repair damage from her defeat by Natalia Silva at UFC 324.

Agreeing with Masvidal, she said: "I really hope eye pokes will be taken more seriously in the future. I propose instant purse deduction even for an accident.

"An accident that could seriously affect a fighter's health long-term. Anyways, I'm just grateful that it was not more serious."