Grabbing the cage

[Merman]

I've always wondered why fighters get warned to not grab the cage with their hands but not their feet. The fight between Moroz and Stanciu was the first time I've ever heard a ref say don't grab the cage with their feet. Any other examples?

 

[Dragon Punch]

I've seen that quite a few times. I can't think of a specific fight though.

 

[elbowsandwiches]

most fighters don't...
-grabbing the cage with your hand is usually to keep yourself from getting taken down....if you grab with feet you are almost certainly already on the ground.
-easier to snap your toes.
-fighters are less dexterous with toes..

 

[MMAProfessional]

Most only do that to sweep on the ground. I thinks it's because it's pretty rare that they use that because there is little use for it

 

[Goatenstein]

Michael McDonald used feet fence grabbing to cheat to win his last fight.

 

[Primitivo]

You should watch more fights.

 

[snw10mm]

I thought using your toes was legal (mainly because I haven't seen it called)

 

[Arm Barbarian]

Seen Refs warn fighters for foot grabs on the fence too many times to count.

Happens fairly frequently.

 

[Which Doctor]

Michael McDonald used feet fence grabbing to cheat to win his last fight.

They brought in Greg "The Hammer" Valentine during fight camp to work on his ground game.

 

[Which Doctor]

I thought using your toes was legal (mainly because I haven't seen it called)

No, but it's a judgement call by the ref; if your toes look like they are being used as fingers (gripping/grasping) you'll get warned. Once the toe penetrates the fence the judgement call process begins.