Changes To Unified MMA Rules
by Robert Sargent
Spearheaded by former UFC official "Big" John McCarthy, the Association of Boxing Commissions met earlier today in Montreal, Québec, where a number of changes and clarifications were made to the "Unified Rules" of mixed martial arts.
Curiously absent from the list of changes was the proposed inclusion of knees to the head of a downed opponent, which is one of the most contentious items of debate in MMA today.
While knees to the head on the ground will remain illegal for now, changes in the rules include the abolition of the downward "12 to 6" motion elbow strike rule, which caused confusion for many years. Originally, the rule was inacted to prevent downward, direct elbow strikes to the base of the neck and spine. However, the rule was mistakenly applied to all downward elbow strikes.
Downward elbows will now be legal, even in the "straight down" motion, as long as they do not strike a restricted area, such as the neck or spine.
Also clarified was the rule pertaining to strikes to the back of the head. After controversy at UFC 85, McCarthy publicly stated that referees, including UFC official Herb Dean, do not understand the true definition of the back of the head, as it pertains to the rule.
The rules now state that a strike to the back of the head is only illegal if it falls within a one inch radius, to the left or right, of the centre of the back of the head (spine). This is commonly referred to as the "Mohawk Rule."
Further, fighters will no longer be able to use their hands to cover the mouths of opponents to restrict their breathing. This does not apply to legitimate submission holds, but rather to fighters laying in their opponent's guard and pawing at the opponent's face with their hands.
Perhaps the biggest change was in the various weight classes and divisions in the sport. Rather than having large gaps between divisions, weight classes will now be spaced evenly by ten pounds.
Beginning at 105 pounds, each class will extend 10 pounds upwards. One of the significantly affected is the welterweight division (formerly 156-170 pounds), which will now be 165-175 pounds. Light heavyweights will now be between 205 and 225 pounds, with heavyweights between 225 and 265. At present, the newly-formed 195-205 pound weight class has yet to be named.
Weight classes were also defined for women's MMA as well, with ten total divisions.
Promotions will not be implicitly required to adopt the new weight classes, but if they choose not to do so, they will not be using the "Unified Rules" of MMA.
In total, forty regulatory bodies were present at the meeting, with notable exceptions being the California and Nevada State Athletic Commissions. The sanctioning bodies are now permitted to adopt the new rules into their state or province's respective officiating, or tweak them slightly, as needed.
While the lack of inclusion of knees to the head on the ground is disappointing, this is nonetheless a first step into restoring some order to the often-confusing rules of mixed martial arts.
