The Association of Boxing Commissions met Thursday and made some changes to MMA rules.
The biggest change was with regard to weight classes, recognizing 14 weight classes in men's, and 10 weight classes in women's. This could be the big change that might just be getting women's MMA in the UFC or at least WEC.
They also placed a ban on using the hand to smother an opponent. The days when we see competitors laying on the ground and the only action is covering the mouth and nose will be a thing of the past.
- B/R Ticket Guide
They redefined the illegal hit to the back of the head to where it protects the crown of the head down the spine in a strip with one inch on either side of the spine. That should do away with the head getting hit directly behind the ear and resulting in the loss of a point.
The downward elbow strike was re-admitted, since the rule was originally set to stop someone from elbowing in the back of the head. Now that they have a clear definition as to where the illegal blow would be they reinstated the downward elbow strike.
The individual states can tweak the rules as they see fit to meet state legal requirements, but for the most part these rules now are in.
The only rule made optional is the one restructuring new weight classes. The organizations don't have to follow the weight classes, but if they don't they will no longer be fighting under unified rules.
The article entitled "Revamped Rules Expand Weight Classes" posted on Sherdog.com goes deeper into the weight classes, the new rules, and fouls.
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5 months ago
I think this is great that they finally come out and state what is constituted as the back of the head.
5 months ago
I didn't want to copy the exact wording in the article I got it from, but it is pretty precise on what it means.
5 months ago
Wait, so will this potentially affect the UFC's weight classes? I really like the new weight classes and kind of hope so...
from 5 months ago
The UFC will have the choice to implement new weight classes or to leave them.
from 4 months ago
They won't have to have every weight class compete on the UFC. They could leave the ones they want and still have unified rules...as far as I could tell. It is still a little vague on the wording.
5 months ago
I'm glad they redefined the back of the head. Like you said, it should cut down on fighters getting hit in the back of the head.
5 months ago
Too many weight classes added, the back of head deal is just as vague as it is now since it will stlll be the ref's judgement, and did I mention too many weight classes?
I won't have to worry about it though since there is essentially no chance of this having any effect on MMA anywhere.
Eventually I can see one or two new weight classes being added, but what they did here is ridiculous.
from 5 months ago
I like the weight classes. There are lots of tweeners that get screwed over by new weight classes. Especially the people that would be fighting in the 225 pound division. I really like that addition the most. Other than that, what's the big deal about new weight classes? The 20 pound weight difference between 85's and 05's is too big.
Although if they don't actually implement the new weight classes it won't bother me much. I'll just be annoyed that there is no 225 pound class the most. I've been wanting that for a while.
5 months ago
I wonder how the rule about downward elbows will play into Florian vs. Huerta at UFC 87, In his fight with Lauzon, Florian bloodied him with downward elbows from guard in a matter of seonds but was given a warning and the two were forced to restart
from 5 months ago
It won't have any effect...the ABC has no real say in how the rules are applied. Think of it as some guy you've never met telling you how to treat your wife.
from 4 months ago
All in all it boils down to what the State Commissions do with the rules.
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