The little rule change/paradigm shift that could radically change MMA

[PEDRO IVO RUSSO MIRANDA]

Honestly, i think the break between one round and other should be 2mins instead of 1min.

Corners will have more time to give instructions, which I think will make the strategy factor something bigger.
Also, doubling the recovery time, will probably lead into more action packed fights, since they're will come with more energy.

Some figthers like merab, that already have an inhuman cardio could be prejudiced, and late knockdowns could have less value, but I think overall the figths will be better, since we will have less gassed guys into the cage.

 

[Blanqa Blanqua]

Honestly, i think the break between one round and other should be 2mins instead of 1min.

Corners will have more time to give instructions, which I think will make the strategy factor something bigger.
Also, doubling the recovery time, will probably lead into more action packed fighters, since they're will come with more energy.

Some figthers like merab, that already have an inhuman cardio could be prejudiced, and late knockdowns could have less value, but I think overall the figths will be better, since we will have less gassed guys into the cage.

This. is actually pretty good idea, the time flys by and they are always in a rush... so why not!

(also, they can add another two adds per break and make another billion, so it will suit them too )

 

[JohnMandick]

No rounds (like a real fight)

 

[theincognito]

Judging overhaul. Maybe it will eventually be done by AI like the rankings.

It is ridiculous to keep judges who routinely go against what the actual rules say.

Entire styles will change if the actual rules of scoring are followed consistently.

 

[markys00]

I like where you're heading.

Preferred Rules

Control shouldn't be a factor -- cage or ground -- as in SHOULD NOT be a factor for scoring.

Either be actively beating your opponent with legal strikes or fight ending submissions.

Criteria: KO, TKO, Subs, Damage from legal cage violence. Then consider Legal Strikes for points -- and then maybe Fight-ending Submission attempts depending on quality. That's your scoring.

Draws for lack of determinative fight ending action by both fighters. Sanction inactive or nonviolent fighters 10% of their purse. Give fighters a warning of the sanction going into the final round -- let them sort it out.

Lay and Pray, Wall and Stall, Control -- No Points -- they just confuse Judges who struggle to discern a Winner with these baseless factors.

People pay to see other people fight to end a fight -- this isn't a hard concept.

This wouldn't work at the higher level. They'll accept the 10. We see it with weight cutting today. Even under that point system, you still gotta give the guy on top the win. How can you not?

 

[Lord Pyjamas]

Allow strikes to the back of the head.

Slick back takers would go from being annoying to being the most feared and dangerous opponents of all time.

Get the back and elbow the back of the head to Bolivian.

Works wonders!
Taking a wine bottle to the back of my skull is the closest I have ever been to knocked out.
But now they make them in thin environmental glass instead and that will get people killed instead!

 

[Steve Fox]

Allow biting.

 

[MotorCityCobra]

Unless they dramatically change the rules I doubt any real shift will happen. Soccer kicks stomps knees from sprawl position and side control change strategy alot.

Also alot of submissions are harder to pull off due to gloves and also the typically outfit used in cage.

Although I prefer to watch striking not alot is talked about the fact that guys working up a sweat having a little Vaseline and also taped hands under gloves dramatically decreases grappling viability.

People say stuff like calf kicks etc, but it is highly overblown. Right now I've noticed the biggest thing is pace, high workrate and forward pressure are nullifying nearly everything else.

 

[JBJ was here]

Yeah I mean you barely see guys go to side control these days, they usually sit in half as they can control them better. But if knees to a downed opponent became legal side control would be used again.

There are lots of good ways to finish an opponent from side control without resorting to knees to the head, which is why side control is considered a dominant position in BJJ. Learn a fucking arm lock or arm triangle or, if jiu jitsu is too tough for you, a mounted crucifix for god's sake.

The reason MMA fighters don't spend a lot of time in side control is that, while it's easier to finish an opponent from side control, side control is also a much more difficult position to maintain than a top position in full or half-guard, or mount. It's not like you get points in MMA for passing guard or you can only win with a finish; the incentive to maintain position and do enough to win a round 10-9 is pretty high.

 

[Bobby Fischer]

The ref should be allowed to pepper spray the fighters for inactivity and taze them for fence grabs. For eyepokes they keep fighting but the poker has to wear a blindfold for 5 minutes .

Could you imagine someone like Chris Tugnogi deciding when you deserve to get pepper-sprayed, and then watching him do so? Or someone like Marc "I'M IN CHARGE!" running towards you with a tazer? Ouff

1. Knees to a downed opponent from anywhere. 2. Kicks to the body of a down opponent from anywhere. 3. Upkicks to the head from grounded position (anywhere but the back of the head).
I think we’d see ground activity and finishes skyrocket.

You can already kick a downed body from anywhere... did you mean the head?

 

[AmonTobin]

You can already kick a downed body from anywhere... did you mean the head?

Yes. To the face. When they’re both down.

 

[Rubios]

Not a rule change, but a clear tactic from the go:

Calf kicks are becoming less and less of a game-changer because fighters are getting better at checking/avoiding them.

Since prime Aldo, most low kicks in MMA are thrown with no set-up whatsoever.

"Just" implementing a technically sound, legit KB/MT 101 jab-low kick, but going for the calf instead of the thigh, could be decisive.

I'm not talking Ernesto Hoost level here, but a decent punch decoy allowing to hide a calf kick thrown with proper power and torque from a check or a TD.

Landing a couple of them early in the fight could change dramatically the other dude's performance and output.

*"Just" as in "just improve your 3s effectiveness by 10%", but that is what the coaches who sparked the last NBA revolution asked their players.

 

[HavokHarmon]

The ref should be allowed to pepper spray the fighters for inactivity and taze them for fence grabs. For eyepokes they keep fighting but the poker has to wear a blindfold for 5 minutes .

I love where this is going. Do away with decisions and rounds altogether too. Taze fighters for inactivity and for every foul make the punishment fit the crime.

1 eye poke=offending fighter wears an eye patch for 1 minute
2 eye pokes=offending fighter wears a blindfold for 1 minute
Groin strike=offending fighter has legs shackled together for 1 minute
Fence grab=offending fighter has offending hand strapped to his side for 1 minute
2 fence grabs=offending fighter has hands cuffed behind their back
Illegal strikes to a downed opponent=offending fighter has appropriate limb injected with a large amount of Novocain.
Biting=offending fighter has 1 tooth removed by an on site dentist for each offense

 

[kingmob6]

Like calf kicks, i think the fingers in butthole, the ole wrestling move could be sneaky big.

I thought toe stumps would pick up steam at first

 

[Alpha_T83]

Only full mount and back control should be rewarded. No laying inside the guard, or silly wall hugging.

Also 30 seconds of pressing someone against the cage should result in an automatic reset to the center of the octagon.