![]() ![]() When kicks and knees are allowed on the ground, the game changes quite slightly. This may seem barbaric to some, but the rules are there to mitigate stalling tactics. This created amazing highlight reels full of soccer kicks (remember Shogun Ruas’s kicks and stomps). Since the 1990s and through the glory days of Pride FC, kicks and even knees to a downed opponent were allowed. While the UFC, Bellator, and all major American and European organizations have adopted them, in Asia, things are different. Not all MMA organizations use the unified MMA rules. Here is an excellent example of an illegal up kick that led to a disqualification (it is also a good example of acting on the victim’s part): In the case of up kicks, if a fighter is in top guard position, at least one of his knees is touching the floor, meaning that up kicks are not allowed. Today, a grounded opponent is considered a fighter who has the palms of both hands, both fists, a knee, or any other body part touching the floor. So, first and foremost, we must define what a “grounded opponent” is, as this is one of the rules that caused the most confusion. Kicks to the head of a grounded opponent are not permitted under the unified rules of MMA, which are widely used, including in the UFC. However, there is one crucial distinction that we must make. In most cases, being on the back is considered a serious disadvantage in the cage, and the up kick is one of the few powerful tools that can help you get out of this less-than-ideal position. Let’s continue the discussion in a bit more detail to clarify what is and what is not legal in MMA, concerning up kicks and some other strikes. But every kick to a grounded opponent is deemed illegal, including the up-kick. Technically, the up-kick is not illegal in MMA. One of the less understood rules in MMA is the up-kick. As free as MMA’s ruleset is, there are still many rules that are there not only to ensure the safety of the fighters but also to guarantee the sportsmanship of the contest. ![]()
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