However, some fans may remember that headbutts were legal in early UFC events. However, they had to get rid of it soon after because the headshots were too brutal and not suitable for the general public. According to the unified rules of mixed martial arts, several supposedly controversial fighting techniques are illegal in MMA and UFC. Today, we briefly take a look at some of the notable illegal movements banned in MMA sports and the world`s leading MMA organization, the UFC. The rules of MMA cover everything from stitches to groins to cage grabbing. In this article, we will review 15 illegal moves in MMA that can result in disqualification, loss of points, or temporary interruption during a fight. With hair pulling, the position in the grapple sequences could be completely changed. It`s painful and uncomfortable and definitely not something that should be allowed in a sport. But there were times when the UFC was just getting started when it was completely legal. Just watch the following video from the 7:20 mark: performing any of the above illegal moves will almost certainly result in a deduction of points or even disqualification. If you`re interested in how these points affect the outcome of the fight and want to learn more about the ranking of UFC fights, take a look at our article on the UFC fight scoring system. The above illegal movements are the ones that occur most frequently.
But they are not the only ones. Here`s a list of the remaining illegal moves that happen a little less frequently (as the Nevada State Athletic Commission stated): Maybe my view of kung fu movies is distorted, but do the movements that are really meant to hurt exist permanently, and are they legal? A whiplash is a blow to the back of the head or neck. This area of the body is extremely vulnerable and a blow can cause serious and lifelong injuries, and it can even be fatal. This is a technique widely used in boxing as there are a lot of head movements out there. In MMA, this happens less frequently, usually when a fighter climbs on an opponent`s back and has access to that game. When considering blows to the back of the head, the referee must be very careful because they are difficult to detect. Here`s a situation where McGregor knocked out Poirier, and Poirier complained that the shots were illegal (they were legal, but it was a very close call). Groin blows are one of the most important illegal blows you will see in the octagon.
As for biting, hair pulling does not often occur in the cage, even in the women`s section. Of course, this can happen accidentally when fighters are fighting or fighting in the clinch, but it`s rare for this to happen on purpose. A fighter pulling their hair can cause pain or give the fighter a lever to take a position on his opponent / prevent his opponent from gaining position. For this reason, pulling hair in MMA is illegal. Piledriving is the backbone of an opponent on the screen on the head or neck. We see it very often in WWE, but in MMA, where there is an intention to hurt the opponent, it is illegal. It can cause serious damage to the spine. In MMA, this happens very often. To show you a specific example, although somewhat controversial (this one was legal), watch the following video in which Rose Namajunas lost her UFC strawweight belt. While it is perfectly acceptable to kick or kneel at the opponent`s head in a standing position, it is illegal to do so when the opponent is lying on the ground. If a fighter kicks or kneels to an opponent on the ground, it will almost certainly result in a deduction of points or even disqualification. This is something that happens very often during a UFC fight.
It should be noted that these blows are not illegal when exchanging arguments (when both fighters are on the ground). But when standing, it can generate a lot of strength, and a kick or knee on the head can cause serious damage. Speaking of a knee on the head, how can we not mention the ko of Jorge Masvidal by Ben Askren, which led to the fastest finish in UFC history (only 5 seconds)? Like pulling their hair or grabbing the cage, clinging to an opponent`s shorts or gloves can give fighters the opportunity to take a stand on their opponent or prevent their opponent from taking a position. Because it can lead to an unfair advantage – and because it`s just dirty – it`s illegal to grab an opponent`s shorts or gloves during an MMA fight. According to the uniform rules, fighters should not cut off the eyes of their rivals, and you would be immediately disqualified if you do such a thing. However, what we often see are eyes, which are also illegal. This was the dominant idea when the UFC first appeared in the 1990s, but fighting fans and MMA newcomers still don`t realize that there is a long list of moves that aren`t allowed in MMA – illegal moves.