By Hakon on February 16, 2009

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has come a long way in the last several years, as anyone who has read an article about the growing mixed martial arts phenomenon in the US, as well as the world, already surely knows. We’ve all read the stories about how Zuffa, and specifically, Dana White, took the UFC’s reins and doggedly worked to build the sport up to respectability. Inconsistencies and falsehoods notwithstanding (for example, the UFC had a rule set, weight classes and gloves before Zuffa took over), Zuffa has done a lot to establish the UFC as the biggest brand in MMA, and one of the up and coming names in all of sports. The thousands of articles that have been written about MMA defeating the traditions of boxing are a testament to that. However, it may be time for the UFC to use some of the leverage they now have.

Years ago, the UFC was in no place to bargain with athletic commissions, many of whom were far too quick to dismiss mixed martial arts as an uncivilized blood sport. However, times have changed, and now the UFC (as well as a few other high profile organizations) are making those very same athletic commissions a lot of money. Therefore, it is probably safe to say that the proverbial shoe is on the other foot, and the UFC can now start negotiating about a more appropriate set of rules.

One rule that needs to be done away with in all MMA fights, not just the UFC’s, is the rule that bars fighters from kneeing to the heads of downed opponents. This rule is often packaged in with the rule that prohibits kicking or stomping the heads of downed opponents, but there is a big difference between a “soccer kick” and a knee. For one, knees to the head of downed opponents in Pride, as well as other organizations, never led to any serious injuries. For another, they absolutely change the dynamics of a fight; much more so than does a kick to the head of an opponent who is most likely done for, anyway.

How many times have we seen one fighter shoot in for a takedown on his opponent, only to have his takedown stuffed, which leaves him face down on his knees, usually grasping at one or both of his opponent’s legs? This happens all the time, but unfortunately, it usually leads to a dull stalemate. The fighter working for the takedown does not want to give up on taking his opponent down, and knows that he is not in significant danger by “camping out” on the mat for a minute. Meanwhile, the fighter defending the takedown has a limited number of options. If he punches his vulnerable opponent, he has less control over him and may just get taken down after all. All he can do is push away, or attempt to take his opponent’s back.

Imagine if the fighter defending the takedown could knee the head of his opponent. It would only take one or two of those to convince the grappler that he must re-evaluate his strategy, or commit to better takedown attempts. He would not be able to “camp out” in the position, and would have to keep moving or get out of there entirely. He would also have to think twice about further takedown attempts, which would help to level the playing field between grappling and striking specialists.

Furthermore, in American MMA organizations, the “side mount” position, where one fighter is on top of his opponent, laying sideways across his opponent’s torso (but past his legs) is fairly useless. It is sometimes a hard position to maintain, and is an awkward one to strike from. Also, there are only a couple of good submissions from the position. Now, if the fighter on top (or even on the bottom!) could knee to the head in this situation, it would once again create a situation where the opposing fighter would have to stay active and get out of there as soon as possible, to avoid losing altogether. Simply put, it would keep the action moving instead of letting fighters rest.

The UFC, as well as many fight fans, wants only the best, most exciting fights available. One thing that has to happen for fights to become more exciting is for antiquated rules, such as the rule that bars knees to the head of a downed opponent, to be done away with. With the UFC having the status of an exploding company in a sport that has nowhere to go but up, now may be the best time to start making some changes.

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