Dana White supports Andy Foster’s stance on banning oblique kicks in MMA.
This past Saturday, UFC 331 took place in Los Angeles, and in a middleweight preliminary fight, Edmen Shahbazyan won a unanimous decision over Brunno Ferreira in a fight with a mild amount of controversy. During the fight, Shahbazyan complained about Ferreira throwing side kicks to his knee, something he evidently believed to be illegal, though they are not.
But California State Athletic Commission Director Andy Foster wants to change that.
Speaking at the Commission meeting following UFC 331, Foster reportedly said he wants to change the Unified Rules of MMA to make lateral knee kicks illegal (h/t Aaron Bronsteter).
And apparently Foster has UFC CEO Dana White’s support. Speaking with the media after the most recent episode of Contender Series, White jumped on board Foster’s plan.
“Listen, he’s the most powerful guy in the commission anywhere in the world, and he’s the best,” White said. “And we don’t disagree.”
The oblique kick was popularized by Jon Jones during his run as UFC light heavyweight champion, and has since gone on to be used by several fighters. Khalil Rountree Jr. even stopped Modestas Bukauskas with one at UFC Vegas 36 that tore up Bukauskas’ knee, forcing him out of action for 14 months.
