Unified Rules Revised by ABC
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:15 pm
Unified Rules Revised by ABC
On Thursday the Association of Boxing Commission passed a revised edition of the unified rules of mixed martial arts at the annual ABC conference.
The unified rules, which originally came to be in 2001, called for a restructure of weight classes as well as more thoroughly defined present rules.
One hot spot for debate in regards to rules is what defines the back of the head. Some have stated that it is the center of the back of the head – something commonly referred to as the “Mohawk”. Others have instead said that if you were wearing a pair of headphones, the entire area behind the ears would count.
The revised rule set defines the back of the head in accordance with the “Mohawk” definition.
As far as weight classes, things have been changed significantly. Major changes include adjusting the light heavyweight division to 205-225 and the heavyweight division to 225-265. The weight classes begin at 105 pounds and move in ten-pound increments up until 265 pounds. In total ten female weight divisions and fourteen male weight divisions were defined.
Another inclusion regarding women’s MMA were rules for amateur female competition. The revised unified rules call for three three-minute rounds with ninety-second rest periods between rounds.
A common occurrence in mixed martial arts when two fighters are on the ground is the top fighter placing his hand over his opponent’s mouth and nose to disrupt his breathing. The revised unified rules now deem this an illegal foul, with the only exception being choke attempts and the like where an arm may end up in that position.
Another confusing rule that was taken care of had to do with downward elbow strikes – specifically the “12 o-clock to 6 o-clock” (ceiling to floor) use of the elbows. It was stated that the original purpose of the rule was to prevent dangerous elbow strikes to areas such as the spine. Now the rule has been thrown out, leaving the only illegal elbow strikes as blows to illegal target zones (such as the back of the head or the throat).
Promotions do not need to change their weight divisions if they do not wish, nor do athletic commissions need to adopt the rule changes. The revised unified rules may also be altered by athletic commissions at their own discretion.
PDG MMA NEWS
On Thursday the Association of Boxing Commission passed a revised edition of the unified rules of mixed martial arts at the annual ABC conference.
The unified rules, which originally came to be in 2001, called for a restructure of weight classes as well as more thoroughly defined present rules.
One hot spot for debate in regards to rules is what defines the back of the head. Some have stated that it is the center of the back of the head – something commonly referred to as the “Mohawk”. Others have instead said that if you were wearing a pair of headphones, the entire area behind the ears would count.
The revised rule set defines the back of the head in accordance with the “Mohawk” definition.
As far as weight classes, things have been changed significantly. Major changes include adjusting the light heavyweight division to 205-225 and the heavyweight division to 225-265. The weight classes begin at 105 pounds and move in ten-pound increments up until 265 pounds. In total ten female weight divisions and fourteen male weight divisions were defined.
Another inclusion regarding women’s MMA were rules for amateur female competition. The revised unified rules call for three three-minute rounds with ninety-second rest periods between rounds.
A common occurrence in mixed martial arts when two fighters are on the ground is the top fighter placing his hand over his opponent’s mouth and nose to disrupt his breathing. The revised unified rules now deem this an illegal foul, with the only exception being choke attempts and the like where an arm may end up in that position.
Another confusing rule that was taken care of had to do with downward elbow strikes – specifically the “12 o-clock to 6 o-clock” (ceiling to floor) use of the elbows. It was stated that the original purpose of the rule was to prevent dangerous elbow strikes to areas such as the spine. Now the rule has been thrown out, leaving the only illegal elbow strikes as blows to illegal target zones (such as the back of the head or the throat).
Promotions do not need to change their weight divisions if they do not wish, nor do athletic commissions need to adopt the rule changes. The revised unified rules may also be altered by athletic commissions at their own discretion.
PDG MMA NEWS
