Eyepokes should be mandatory point deductions. No exceptions.

[The Clark]

"9. Fingers outstretched toward an opponent’s face/eyes; a. In the standing position, a fighter that moves their arm(s) toward their opponent with an open hand, fingers pointing at the opponent’s face/eyes, will be a foul. Referees are to prevent this dangerous behavior by communicating clearly to fighters. Fighters are directed to close their fists or point their fingers straight up in the air when reaching toward their opponent."

https://www.abcboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/unified-mma-rules-rev-july-2024.pdf

He wasn't reaching forward. There was no forward motion of the arm from Song.

Hand was stationary ready to parry, Cejudo drove his face into it as he punched.

Not a foul, read the rules again.

You're being intentionally obtuse. There was a forward motion of the arm. That's why it was there for Cejudo to run into. Did Song move his arm forward during the poke? No, but I never argued that he did. The whole point of adding that rule is to prevent fighters from placing their hand and fingers in a place where a poke is likely to occur, but you already know that.

 

[shunyata]

You're being intentionally obtuse. There was a forward motion of the arm. That's why it was there for Cejudo to run into. Did Song move his arm forward during the poke? No, but I never argued that he did. The whole point of adding that rule is to prevent fighters from placing their hand and fingers in a place where a poke is likely to occur, but you already know that.

They replayed it over and over again in slow motion. Cejudo's head crashes forward into Song's hand while it is held still in the air. The writing of the ruling is clear, you're choosing to ignore it.

 

[GraafschapDTCNL]

Yes, 'accidentally' cheating is still cheating. And watch the number of eye pokes go down if it is being punished hard. Some of these eye pokes also happen because fighters fight with open hands, which does not have to be necessary.

 

[filthynumber1]

How it should be:

1st foul of any kind = Warning
Subsequent fouls = 1 point deduction

NO EXCEPTIONS

Nope
Were past that point. Way past. Any foul of any kind, intentional or not, automatic point.
First (and only) warning is in the dressing room
No more fucking around

 

[LostMyBlackBelt]

Agree. Might have a little growing pains but I guarantee guys quickly learn how to not put their fingers out.

ANother way Jones cheats...

 

[Hank Grill]

I like the first part where they should be mandatory. These are prize fighters not guys at an optician they can still hang with it without eyes. It's the Gen z getting to these guys not building eye toughness like the vets.

 

[Emjay]

Nope
Were past that point. Way past. Any foul of any kind, intentional or not, automatic point.
First (and only) warning is in the dressing room
No more fucking around

Do that on a trial basis for a year or two to correct the fighter's behavior, then fall back into my method. But actually enforce it.

 

[wrb]

It would only take one message from UFC and then a fight night where its mandatory a point even in the main event and it would never happen again. Fighters would start to train for it and learn to take steps to prevent it. UFC is going to lose some really dedicated fans if they don't fix this problem like they just fixed the double champ bullshit. This is not fair to the athletes and its disgusting that the top 5 might might be using it as a way to get the advantage when they think they are losing. Its fucked up and fucking easy to stop

 

[Black Blood]

Refs should have the discretion to deduct a point immediately if the situation calls for it.

In general you should get the benefit of the doubt and get a mulligan per foul, in general. One poke should be a solid warning and a second should be a point deduction, no matter if accidental or intentional.

 

[wrb]

Refs should have the discretion to deduct a point immediately if the situation calls for it.

In general you should get the benefit of the doubt and get a mulligan per foul, in general. One poke should be a solid warning and a second should be a point deduction, no matter if accidental or intentional.

Is it hard to not eye poke, I don't fight so I really don't know? I know the NFL actually changed the way players tackle and it did not ruin the sport like people said it would.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

One of the biggest reasons for a point deduction is not just a punitive measure, but to actually try and balance out the negative effects a fouled fighter has to continue with. Eyepoked fighters are at an extreme disadvantage going forward, so eyepokers, purposeful or not, benefit greatly. So yeah, I agree, if a ref sees that the fighter is struggling from the foul, then take that point.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

I've been saying this for a long time now.

The warning should be given during fighter meetings and if it happens it's an automatic point deduction because they've been warned.

It is, which is why soft warnings are so dumb. Sometimes, you'll hear a ref say "I instructed you on the rules backstage" which they do not just during a fighter meeting earlier, but also happens in the warm up room before their fight. They get all the warnings in the world before they step into the cage. Foul still happens? Punish them

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

I hear you, the main reason I was annoyed was because there was a groin shot, and two eye pokes. that’s 3 fouls. There’s gotta be reprucussions after three 3 fouls.

NJ commission has a specific wording in their rules that says something like how a DQ can be issued if fouls are intentional / flagrant as usual but also if there were 3 consecutive fouls. Never gets used though. At least not for the big leagues, but I'm sure some minor, near amateur-level fights happening in East Bumfuck, NJ might see a DQ for it

 

[DesiredUserName]

protect yourself at all times... maybe learn one of those Three Stooges defenses... Nyuk nyuk nyuk

 

[WOLVERINEKILLS]

How it should be:

1st foul of any kind = Warning
Subsequent fouls = 1 point deduction

NO EXCEPTIONS

Agreed. If multiple fouls deduct $ from the fighters purse.

 

[JBJ was here]

Automatic full-point deductions under the current scoring system are non-starters. Points are too precious and everyone hates draws. And, in this case, not all eye pokes are the same; a finger pointed up across the eye that brushes the eyeball is not the same as an outstretched finger that hits the eye with a hard poke. Also note that there's already an automatic two-point deduction for any intentional foul that causes an injury that doesn't result in a DQ (such as happened Saturday night - fingers don't magically stretch themselves out towards an opponent's face without intention), and this is almost never called despite being automatic.

 

[Emjay]

Agreed. If multiple fouls deduct $ from the fighters purse.

I like it.

 

[wrb]

Automatic full-point deductions under the current scoring system are non-starters. Points are too precious and everyone hates draws. And, in this case, not all eye pokes are the same; a finger pointed up across the eye that brushes the eyeball is not the same as an outstretched finger that hits the eye with a hard poke. Also note that there's already an automatic two-point deduction for any intentional foul that causes an injury that doesn't result in a DQ (such as happened Saturday night - fingers don't magically stretch themselves out towards an opponent's face without intention), and this is almost never called despite being automatic.

Dude people are going to be pissed and its going to be a shit show for one weekend and then it will probably never happen again. IMO they risk more leaving the situation like it is considering it seems to be happening in championship fights more than in DWC bouts. Is it possible the casinos are involved in this, why did Jason not take a point? The whole thing i out of hand at this point so the people that "don't like draws" can piss off.

 

[Meathead Jock]

How it should be:

1st foul of any kind = Warning
Subsequent fouls = 1 point deduction

NO EXCEPTIONS

I'm good with that but if you can see the person's eyeball bleeding from said poke you skip the warning!

 

[HHJ]

They are never gonna make them mandatory.

Its largely accidental. In Boxing they dont mandatory take points because of a low blow. It's just something that is going to happen no matter what you do.

However in this case, it's egregious as fuck and the referee absolutley needed to take one.