UFC Illegal Moves

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) follows a comprehensive set of rules known as the "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts." These rules, originally established by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board, have become the standard framework for professional MMA competitions across the United States. In addition to addressing topics such as weight classes, fight duration, fighter apparel and equipment, scoring criteria, and match outcomes, the document also comprehensively covers illegal techniques and fouls in MMA.

UFC Illegal moves (as of 2024)

1. Head-butting: Deliberately using the head to strike an opponent, which can cause serious injury.
2. Eye-gouging: Inserting fingers or thumbs into an opponent's eyes. This is highly dangerous and can cause severe eye injuries.
3. Biting: Using teeth to bite an opponent, which is not only dangerous but also unsportsmanlike.
4. Hair pulling: Grabbing an opponent's hair to gain an advantage, which is considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
5. Fish-hooking: Inserting fingers into the mouth of an opponent and pulling back on the cheeks or lips. This move is dangerous and considered highly unsportsmanlike.
6. Groin attacks: Any strike or attack directed at an opponent's groin area. These are painful and potentially damaging.
7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent: This includes inserting fingers into any natural openings or wounds on the opponent's body, which is both dangerous and unsportsmanlike.
8. Small joint manipulation: Twisting or applying pressure to the fingers or toes. This targets smaller joints which are more susceptible to injury.
9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head: Hits to these areas can lead to severe spinal and neurological injuries.
10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow: Known as the "12-6 elbow," this involves dropping the elbow from a vertical position down onto an opponent and is particularly damaging.
11. Throat strikes of any kind, including grabbing the trachea: This includes any attack directed at the throat, which is extremely dangerous.
12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh: These actions can cause unnecessary pain and injury and are not permitted.
13. Grabbing the clavicle: Seizing the collarbone area, which can lead to serious injury.
14. Kicking to the kidney with the heel: This is particularly harmful due to the potential damage to the kidneys.
15. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on the head or neck: This involves throwing or driving an opponent head or neck first into the ground. It's extremely dangerous and can lead to serious neck and spinal injuries.
16. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent: Striking the head of an opponent who has one or more points touching the ground, other than the soles of their feet.
17. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent: Similar to the above, it involves delivering a knee strike to the head of an opponent in a grounded position.
18. Stomping a grounded opponent: This involves stepping on or driving the foot into a grounded opponent, which is dangerous and prohibited.

Fouls in UFC (Other Prohibited Conduct as of 2024)

1. Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area
2. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent
3. Spitting at an opponent or the referee
4. Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent
5. Holding or grabbing the ropes or the fence
6. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area
7. Attacking an opponent on or during the break
8. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee
9. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of a round
10. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee
11. Timidity, including avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury
12. Interference by the corner
13. Throwing in the towel during competition
14. Applying any foreign substance to the hair, body, clothing or gloves that could result in an unfair advantage
15. Striking an opponent who is helpless as a result of previous blows and supported by the ring or fenced area
16. Striking deliberately at the part of the body over the kidneys
17. Intentionally spitting out the mouthpiece
18. Fouls against a grounded opponent

Track the fascinating evolution of UFC rules, from the no-rules era to modern-day regulations, in this article.

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What is the difference between Illegal Moves and Fouls? 

In martial arts, the terms "foul" and "illegal move" are related but not necessarily the same. Here's how they differ:

1. Illegal Move: This refers to a technique or action that is not allowed in the specific ruleset of a martial arts competition or sparring session. For example, striking to the back of the head in boxing, or certain joint locks in judo, might be considered illegal moves. These are predefined in the rules and are usually aimed at ensuring the safety of the participants.
2. Foul: A foul is a broader term and can include illegal moves, but it also encompasses other types of prohibited behavior. This might include actions like unsportsmanlike conduct, using excessive force, or not obeying the referee's commands. A foul is often a violation of the rules or the spirit of the competition, and it can be intentional or accidental.

In summary, all illegal moves are typically considered fouls, but not all fouls are illegal moves. The exact definitions and distinctions can vary depending on the specific martial art and the rules of the organization overseeing the competition or practice.

Foul Procedures

Only the referee has the authority to assess a foul. If the referee doesn't call a foul, the judges are not allowed to assume a foul occurred on their own. This means judges cannot include unassessed fouls in their scoring calculations.

Referee Procedures Following a Foul:

• The referee will first call time to pause the fight.
• The next step is to check the condition and safety of the fighter who has been fouled.
• Following this, the referee assesses the foul to the offending fighter. This includes the deduction of points and informing the corners’ seconds (assistants), the judges, and the official scorekeeper of the foul and its repercussions.

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Handling Fouls Committed by the Bottom Contestant:

1. In a situation where the fighter on the bottom (in a grounded or inferior position) commits a foul, and the top fighter (in a dominant or superior position) is not injured, the fight will continue. This is to avoid compromising the top contestant's advantageous position.
2. The referee will verbally notify the bottom contestant of the foul committed.
3. At the end of the round, the referee will then assess the foul and communicate the details to both fighters' corners, the judges, and the scorekeeper.
4. In cases of particularly flagrant fouls, the referee has the discretion to terminate the bout. In such extreme cases, the fighter who committed the egregious foul may be disqualified.

These foul procedures are crucial in maintaining fairness and safety in mixed martial arts competitions, ensuring that all parties are clearly informed of any infractions and their consequences.

Still unsure about the difference between MMA and UFC? Find a clear explanation here.

Further reading: The Start of UFC