California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster is planning to bring two major rule changes to MMA, and fans are quite pleased with the news.
For years, fans and media members have been vocal on a confusing rule allowing fighters to be deemed down with one hand, preventing their opponents from landing a knee to the head or risk disqualification. It’s a rule that has marred many fights, and has even left some wanting a RIZIN-style ruleset across all promotions.
Andy Foster says enough is enough.
Andy Foster Vows to Make Sweeping Change to Key MMA Rules
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour,” Foster said that the hand rule will absolutely be a thing of the past.
Andy Foster talks the downed opponent rule.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/z8pA70YCGc
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 29, 2024
“We’re gonna get rid of the hand,” Foster said. “That’s not proposal, we’re gonna get rid of it. If you wanna be down, you need to put something else down. Knee, back, anything other than ─ you can’t be standing up putting your hand on the ground. It’s caused too much confusion. A rule that we put in for safety has, in fact, created an unsafe environment and it’s created an untenable environment for referees to regulate.”
Foster then summed up the problem in one sentence perhaps better than anyone else could.
“You can’t have unified rules where the rules aren’t unified,” Foster said.
What About 12-6 Elbows?
Foster was then asked about his plans to do away with the 12-6 elbow rule, preventing fighters from landing the strike from that motion. It’s what handed Jon Jones the only loss of his pro MMA career back in late 2009.
Foster doesn’t believe anyone should be disqualified for landing 12-6 elbows, and he will propose that the old rule gets axed.
Andy Foster will recommend getting rid of the 12-6 elbow rule.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/PzIdgw2Yfz
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 29, 2024
“I don’t even know if there’s anybody that disagrees with that,” Foster said. “What about 11-5 if we’re gonna use the clock, or 1-7? Those aren’t illegal. 3-9’s an awful hard strike from side control, but that’s not banned. It doesn’t make any sense I guess is the point I’m trying to make. Either you ban elbows or you allow it. I mean, this is the only one that’s not and it’s poorly enforced.”
MiddleEasy will update you when and if one or both rule changes are made.
