New Unified Rules explained by the very best

At the 2016 Association of Boxing Commissions convention, several changes to the Unified Rules of mixed martial arts were proposed by the ABC rules and regulations committee. The stellar group included Dr. David Watson, fighters Randy Couture, Jeremy Horn, and Matt Hughes, referees ‘Big’ John McCarthy, Robert Hinds and Kevin McDonald, and regulators Sean Wheelock, Matt Woodruff, and Brian Dunn. A number of members of the group have deep expertise in multiple areas. McDonald and Dunn, for example, are former fighters. Wheelock was at UFC 1, as was of course McCarthy.

The group proposed to remove the old prohibitions on heel kicks from bottom guard, and grabbing the clavicle. A prohibition was added to reduce eye pokes. There is a refining of the definition of a downed fighter, new judging criteria, and more. More complete details can be found here.

The new rules passed with near unanimity. Rhonda Utley-Herring, representing the New Jersey Athletic Commission, voted no, and offered a detailed explanation as to why. The membership did not find it compelling. Mississippi voted not present. And there was an abstention from Tennessee, which no longer has a functioning athletic commission.

The rules are set to take effect on January 1, although some commissions instituted them quicker. The influential California State Athletic Commission adopted the new rules at the December 10 meeting.

Now CSAC commissioner Andy Foster has released an invaluable explanation of on the New Unified Rules of MMA by ‘Big’ John McCarthy.

Via the California Department of Consumer Affairs YouTube channel.