California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster
recently discussed some potential rule changes in mixed martial
arts.
UFC
331 went down at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sept. 19.
Foster subsequently discussed some rules at a CSAC debrief,
touching on oblique kicks, a polarizing and highly effective tool
in MMA, among other subjects.
CSAC’s Andy Foster wants to discuss banning oblique kicks after
UFC 331
Edmen
Shahbazyan earned a unanimous decision win in a middleweight
bout against Brunno
Ferreira at UFC 331. Shahbazyan was complaining to the referee
about Ferreira throwing side-kicks to the knee, seemingly unaware
that they are legal.
While kicks to the knee don’t look like much, they can deal
dangerous damage to the knee at certain angles. While it is
considered a cheap shot in sparring and banned in most gyms, it is
perfectly legal in pro MMA. However, Foster now wants to discuss
banning side-kicks to the knee. Foster also wants to discuss
legalizing the use of a peptide that heals cuts but is not
performance-enhancing.
“Foster also wants to discuss making lateral knee kicks a foul and
also wants to hold discussions with medical professionals and
determine whether a specific peptide that heals cuts and are not
performance-enhancing be made legal,” MMA reporter Aaron
Bronsteter, who attended the debrief, posted on X.
Foster also discussed potentially categorizing fouls. While fouls
are now judged on whether they are intentional or unintentional,
Foster is considering classifying them as incidental, reckless or
malicious.
“Foster also discussed a potential rule change in the unified rules
that would classify fouls as being incidental, reckless or
malicious rather than unintentional and intentional,” Bronsteter
wrote in a follow-up post. “He believes that will make fighters
keep their hands closed and reduce eye pokes.”
Foster also wants to discuss making lateral
knee kicks a foul and also wants to hold discussions with medical
professionals and determine whether a specific peptide that heals
cuts and are not performance-enhancing be made legal.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter)
September 20, 2026
Foster also discussed a potential rule
change in the unified rules that would classify fouls as being
incidental, reckless, or malicious rather than unintentional and
intentional. He believes that will make fighters keep their hands
closed and reduce eye pokes.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter)
September 20, 2026