Why not just take points for all fouls?

[CrimsonFan]

What's the point of all the warnings if nothing ever happens from it?

Groin kick? Take a point

Fence grab, take a point.

Eye poke, take a point.

I bet the fouls would become a lot less common if they just did this and the ref could stfu and get out of the way

 

[Subline]

How Jones vs Stipe goes if they implement this rule

 

[Black Blood]

I think you should get one mulligan for each foul. Like, you get one free eye poke and groin strike and blatant fence grab each fight. A second eye poke though, whether accidental or on purpose, is an automatic point loss.

This is a not a perfect solution, but I don't really think their is one. Yes, fighters might take advantage of this to land a power groin kick (a fight stopped due to intentional illegal strike is still a DQ loss), but you better use that freebee wisely as your next accidental, barely-touches-the-cup goin shot is a lost point.

 

[HHJ]

I think you can give benefit of the doubt one times, depending on how egregious it is.

There are some fouls that are simply unforgiveable like when Mokaev tried to pull Kape's pants off they should have absolutley taken a point for that and warn of a DQ if he does it again

 

[Blayt7hh]

I don't agree completely. Things like fence grabs happen in a flash without a fighter really thinking about it.

Shit like last night though where the ref kept warning that one guy about his fingers all fight long, then an eye poke happens and the ref does nothing is ridiculous. He literally stopped the fight and told the guy "I warned you about the fingers!"... and that was it! Didn't take a point. Ok you warned him that what, you weren't going to do shit about it?

First couple of eye gouges and nutshots are freebies. Ridiculous

 

[BarbellzNbacon]

Might as well let them use tables ladders and chairs. Free warnings, with no point deductions

 

[sdpdude9]

I’ve been in favor of this in the past but the more I think about it, the more unsure I am. MMA is a fast, dynamic sport wherein in your opponent can move unpredictably leading to truly unintentional fouls that do not come from negligence.

The only way you can really punish is by deducting points but that can be overly harsh in many instances in my opinion. But I also don’t like getting free fouls so not sure what the best solution is. Only thing I can think of is changing judging criteria wherein they consider fouls as a negative for the offending fighter akin to taking a big punch. But then again giving the already questionable judges more to think about may not be the move either.

 

[The Siege]

Then fans would complain that the refs are deciding fights (many of them only when the fighter they hate benefits from fouls being called).

Dont get me wrong, I wish they do, but Dana and the overall fanbase want the refs to interfere as little as possible in the fights and I dont know if the current crop of refs are good enough to find the balance.

 

[JBJ was here]

A point deduction is huge in MMA, and taking one for each foul is a straight up stupid idea. Mandatory half-point deductions for striking fouls (eye pokes, groin shots, headbutts) and a few others such as digit manipulation might make sense though.

 

[ClosetVitorFan]

Eye pokes should be immediate point deduction if it's damaging enough. A grazing eye rake is fine for a warning. But a full on poke to ones eye. Take a point.

 

[humdizzle]

yeah zellhuber should have been docked

the problem is fouls often lead to a draw, especially in 29-28 cards. ufc matchmakers dont want that. neither do vegas gamblers.

 

[PEDRO IVO RUSSO MIRANDA]

I think you should get one mulligan for each foul. Like, you get one free eye poke and groin strike and blatant fence grab each fight. A second eye poke though, whether accidental or on purpose, is an automatic point loss.

This is a not a perfect solution, but I don't really think their is one. Yes, fighters might take advantage of this to land a power groin kick (a fight stopped due to intentional illegal strike is still a DQ loss), but you better use that freebee wisely as your next accidental, barely-touches-the-cup goin shot is a lost point.

Lol its ridiculous sanction free eye pokes.

Its hard to deduct point for every foul, cause 1 point in combat sport could change everything, and sometimes it really happens without intention.
And tbh that's an Unwritten rule, the 1st eyepoke usually dont get deduction.

But if we make it a sanctioned rule, EVERY FIGH will have at least one eye poke. I could see a lot of guys eyepoking with will rigth from the get go.

Athletes could became permanently damaged and dirty moves like that aren't cool to watch.

 

[Prologue]

Instead of point deductions, there should be penalty shots. Groin for a groin!

 

[Thy]

i say add a point for eyepokes, they're strong

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

That would take away fighters' "veteran moves" according to Herb Dean.

 

[TheTickG]

How Jones vs Stipe goes if they implement this rule
View attachment 1062943

WAR STIPE!

 

[Blayt7hh]

Instead of point deductions, there should be penalty shots. Groin for a groin!

Like, you just stand there legs spread while he gets to hike one up the middle?

 

[Prologue]

Like, you just stand there legs spread while he gets to hike one up the middle?

Exactly.

 

[markys00]

Thatd be terrible.

The fighters can't even place their hands or feet against the cage without the ref going ballistic. So stupid.

 

[Black Blood]

Lol its ridiculous sanction free eye pokes.

Its hard to deduct point for every foul, cause 1 point in combat sport could change everything, and sometimes it really happens without intention.
And tbh that's an Unwritten rule, the 1st eyepoke usually dont get deduction.

But if we make it a sanctioned rule, EVERY FIGH will have at least one eye poke. I could see a lot of guys eyepoking with will rigth from the get go.

Athletes could became permanently damaged and dirty moves like that aren't cool to watch.

Like I said... not perfect lol. I think more details are needed; you get one mulligan on fouls considered accidental each fight. An intentional eye poke can still get an immediate point deduction or DQ.

In practice you already get a freebee. Usually more than one. And consequences are rare, even though these accidental fouls are changing the course of the fight. You get the benefit of the doubt for the first slip up, but there are consequences for not being mindful beyond that.