California's top combat-sports regulator wants knee-targeting "oblique kicks" made a foul. Overdue protection for fighters, or a rule change chasing one complaint?
Andy Foster's push follows Edmen Shahbazyan complaining mid-fight at UFC 331 about his opponent's side kicks to the knee. Foster also wants fouls sorted into "incidental, reckless, or malicious" instead of today's intent-based system. The technique is legal under the current unified rules, even though most gyms ban it in sparring.
What happened
At UFC 331 in Los Angeles on Sept 19, Edmen Shahbazyan beat Brunno Ferreira by decision but complained to the referee mid-fight about Ferreira's oblique (lateral knee) kicks — a legal strike that can cause serious knee damage. California State Athletic Commission director Andy Foster has since said he wants to reclassify the technique as a foul, noting it's typically banned in gyms during sparring even though it's legal in competition.
Why people disagree
Supporters of a ban point to the real injury risk and the fact that most gyms already prohibit the strike outside competition. Opponents note it's a legitimate, skill-based technique that's legal under the current unified rules, and that reacting to one fighter's mid-fight complaint isn't strong evidence it needs banning.
What's still unclear
Whether any rule change actually happens, since it would require coordinated action across state athletic commissions, not just California's.
Sources
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