10 UFC Rules That Fighters And Fans Get Wrong All The Time

7. Legal And Illegal Strikes To A Grounded Opponent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebGspy3Yv0g Many of the legends of the sport are known for some more brutal techniques that they utilized in the early UFC and Pride Fighting Championships, namely soccer kicks, knees to the head and ground stomps. In fact former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua has been quoted as saying that he'd like to see such techniques brought back. They were no doubt utilized to great effect by fighters such as Rua, and legend Wanderlei Silva who reigned as Pride FC Middleweight Champion (Light Heavyweight stateside) for close to seven years. If one were to actually watch such fights there are definitely some highlight reel knockouts that are entertaining. Regardless, the only place people will see such techniques in a legal setting at the present day is in the Asian One FC promotion as the Unified Rules outlaws any such maneuvers. To be specific, the Unified Rules forbids knees, kicks, and stomps to the head of a grounded opponent. The reasoning behind this rule is that they are supposed to be dangerous techniques that can cause injuries as bad as paralysis. There are arguments against outlawing such techniques though such as that elbow strikes (which are legal under the unified rules) are more dangerous. Also there's the fact that these rules were made in 2001 as a response to several criticisms. It can be frustrating for those used to legal ground strikes but that's how it is.