Nick Lembo not impressed with all new Unified Rules changes

New Jersey State Athletic Control Board Counsel Nick Lembo is one of the architects of the Unified Rules of mixed martial arts. These were recently modified, and during a recent appearance on Stephie Haynes‘ Three Amigos podcast, Lembo took exception to some of the changes.

“I’ve never had a fighter request [kidney strikes be legalized],” said Lembo, as transcribed by Haynes for BE. “On the other hand, we have had fighters not make it to the weigh-ins because of kidney issues due to weight-cutting. We’ve had fighters fail pre- and post-fight medicals due to kidney issues… In one case a fighter was hospitalized after taking 30 heel strikes to the kidney. You should see the post-fight urine on some of these fighters – sometimes it looks like mud. It’s dark brown and there’s kidney damage already.”

(1:03:15 mark)
•Introduction/personal history with MMA
•Most proud accomplishment while serving as head of ABC
•Unexpected difficulties with ABC
•Why he stepped away from ABC role
•If he agrees with the new rule changes
•If having different rulesets for different states is safe for the sport
•Which rules NJ won’t be adopting
•Thoughts on USADA’s performance so far
•Weight cutting concerns
•Kidney strikes
•Ali Act
•MMA Associations

This installment of The Three Amigos also featured:
RantyPants™ – 16:20
Sports That Can’t Stop No Double Leg™ – 28:40
Michelle Waterson – 43:40
Nick Lembo – 1:03:15
King Mo Lawal – 1:42:10