Issue 136
December 2015
‘Playing the game’ won’t save you from a knee to the face
Marc Goddard
FO’s resident Octagon third man continues his monthly breakdown of the Unified Rules
Following last month’s column about fence grabbing, this issue’s review of the Unified Rules of MMA comes on the back of an incident at UFC 192, involving Julianna Pena and Jessica Eye.
During their fight, whilst Pena was in top side control, Eye threw a knee strike while she was flat on her back that landed on the head of her opponent. The referee called for time and stood the fighters up due to the illegal strike to Pena, who was on the ground at the time.
Under the Unified Rules, kicking or kneeing to the head of a grounded fighter is an illegal technique, but this regulation isn’t as clear cut as it sounds. Allow me to explain.
Rule break
Kicking or kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
Breakdown
A ‘grounded’ fighter is one who has anything other than/or in addition to the soles of their feet on the canvas. A referee can make the assessment that a fighter with their fingertips touching the canvas whilst they’re standing will not be classed as a grounded. In that case, kicks and knees to the head can be considered legal blows.
A fighter who is deemed as being held up by the fence or ropes can also be classed as a downed fighter. Only the referee can make this assessment.
In action
In an instance like Pena vs. Eye, a referee should always consider where the combatants are at the time of the foul – particularly the fouled fighter.
If the fouled fighter is in the top position like Pena was, then the fight must be restarted in the same position once the referee has made their assessment and deducted points if it’s warranted. It’s important that the fouled contestant’s position or benefit is not removed or compromised.
It’s also important to address referees’ judgement calls about what constitutes a grounded opponent. Some fighters try to ‘play the game’ by putting their fingertips on the canvas to remain grounded and avoid eating a painful knee. This often happens while they’re against the fence and getting back to their feet.
This places the referee’s judgement at the forefront. A downed fighter is afforded the protection that they need, but one that is playing the game should not be. Trying to draw a foul by deliberately putting your fingers on and off the canvas as your opponent throws a knee or kick to the head is not sportsmanlike conduct and shouldn’t be tolerated. The referee has the discretion to penalize a fighter who is ‘touching down’ like this with a warning or point deduction. I have used this assessment many times.
It’s also worth mentioning that point deductions can be different for kicks and knees to grounded fighters. These are contrast with other fouls because they’re concussive and damaging blows – unlike fence grabs or holding of the shorts. They can drastically alter the outcome of a fight and that’s why they could warrant a more severe penalty than other infringements. Many fans don’t know that if a referee deems a foul like this as intentional and it causes injury then a two-point deduction is mandatory.
Fortunately, these instances are extremely rare as a referee must be sure that the fighter both knew and then intentionally threw an illegal strike that caused significant danger, and then harm to their opponent. Most MMA fighters are fair and respectful, so we rarely need to take such action.
All change
Rule review
The Unified Rules of MMA were amended in 2013 to stop fighters ‘playing the game’ and avoiding knee strikes by placing one hand on the mat.
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