Controversial MMA technique could be banned following UFC 331
· Yahoo Sports
California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster
recently discussed some potential rule changes in mixed martial
arts.
UFC 331 went down at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sept. 19. Foster subsequently discussed some rules at a CSAC debrief, touching on oblique kicks, a polarizing and highly effective tool in MMA, among other subjects.
Edmen Shahbazyan earned a unanimous decision win in a middleweight bout against Brunno Ferreira at UFC 331. Shahbazyan was complaining to the referee about Ferreira throwing side-kicks to the knee, seemingly unaware that they are legal.
While kicks to the knee don’t look like much, they can deal dangerous damage to the knee at certain angles. While it is considered a cheap shot in sparring and banned in most gyms, it is perfectly legal in pro MMA. However, Foster now wants to discuss banning side-kicks to the knee. Foster also wants to discuss legalizing the use of a peptide that heals cuts but is not performance-enhancing.
“Foster also wants to discuss making lateral knee kicks a foul and also wants to hold discussions with medical professionals and determine whether a specific peptide that heals cuts and are not performance-enhancing be made legal,” MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter, who attended the debrief, posted on X.
Foster also discussed potentially categorizing fouls. While fouls are now judged on whether they are intentional or unintentional, Foster is considering classifying them as incidental, reckless or malicious.
“Foster also discussed a potential rule change in the unified rules that would classify fouls as being incidental, reckless or malicious rather than unintentional and intentional,” Bronsteter wrote in a follow-up post. “He believes that will make fighters keep their hands closed and reduce eye pokes.”
UFC 331 went down at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sept. 19. Foster subsequently discussed some rules at a CSAC debrief, touching on oblique kicks, a polarizing and highly effective tool in MMA, among other subjects.
CSAC's Andy Foster wants to discuss banning oblique kicks after UFC 331
Edmen Shahbazyan earned a unanimous decision win in a middleweight bout against Brunno Ferreira at UFC 331. Shahbazyan was complaining to the referee about Ferreira throwing side-kicks to the knee, seemingly unaware that they are legal.
While kicks to the knee don’t look like much, they can deal dangerous damage to the knee at certain angles. While it is considered a cheap shot in sparring and banned in most gyms, it is perfectly legal in pro MMA. However, Foster now wants to discuss banning side-kicks to the knee. Foster also wants to discuss legalizing the use of a peptide that heals cuts but is not performance-enhancing.
“Foster also wants to discuss making lateral knee kicks a foul and also wants to hold discussions with medical professionals and determine whether a specific peptide that heals cuts and are not performance-enhancing be made legal,” MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter, who attended the debrief, posted on X.
Foster also discussed potentially categorizing fouls. While fouls are now judged on whether they are intentional or unintentional, Foster is considering classifying them as incidental, reckless or malicious.
“Foster also discussed a potential rule change in the unified rules that would classify fouls as being incidental, reckless or malicious rather than unintentional and intentional,” Bronsteter wrote in a follow-up post. “He believes that will make fighters keep their hands closed and reduce eye pokes.”
Foster also wants to discuss making lateral knee kicks a foul and also wants to hold discussions with medical professionals and determine whether a specific peptide that heals cuts and are not performance-enhancing be made legal.— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 20, 2026
Foster also discussed a potential rule change in the unified rules that would classify fouls as being incidental, reckless, or malicious rather than unintentional and intentional. He believes that will make fighters keep their hands closed and reduce eye pokes.— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 20, 2026
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