Would knees to the head of a grounded opponent be legal if you cover your kneecap with your hand?

[Sticko]

Was watching Carla Esparza vs Tecia Pennington II earlier today, at one point Carla got Tecia in north-south for a while and this thought occurred to me. Is it technically a knee strike if there's no direct knee-on-head contact?

1) it's probably not going to hurt their head as much as a regular naked knee
2) it's probably gonna hurt your hand quite a bit as well
3) using one arm to cover your knee is going to make it way easier for your opponent to escape the position

So one could argue that because of these disadvantages, IF the technique still works, it's not unfair. It's not a mere cosmetic difference, it's actually a very different strike.

I could see the hand-covering-knee strike being used to finish a gassed oopponent on the ground late in a fight.

What say you, Sherdogpack?

 

[Danespina]

lol love this question.

 

[dogsdonutsdragons]

this is a nice little piece you crafted here pal.

 

[Khaosan]

 

[StrikerKing]

If only Mark Coleman thought of this but with headbutts.

 

[Lord Pyjamas]

Was watching Carla Esparza vs Tecia Pennington II earlier today, at one point Carla got Tecia in north-south for a while and this thought occurred to me. Is it technically a knee strike if there's no direct knee-on-head contact?

1) it's probably not going to hurt their head as much as a regular naked knee
2) it's probably gonna hurt your hand quite a bit as well
3) using one arm to cover your knee is going to make it way easier for your opponent to escape the position

So one could argue that because of these disadvantages, IF the technique still works, it's not unfair. It's not a mere cosmetic difference, it's actually a very different strike.

I could see the hand-covering-knee strike being used to finish a gassed oopponent on the ground late in a fight.

What say you, Sherdogpack?

You could just throw a punch or elbow instead at the gassed opponent not actively choosing to damage yourself.
But what do I know. Maybe this really is the new thing for MMA just like the jab turned out to be.

 

[kingmob6]

what if you use your cup to ram an opponents head?

 

[TheMoa]

If only Mark Coleman thought of this but with headbutts.

Mark Coleman be like:

 

[Subline]

That seems super impractical

 

[theleerygoose]

is it still a headbutt if you bang your head into someones fist?

 

[Bowel-forged Stool]

A Kamala approach to world leadership!

 

[Khaosan]

A Kamala approach to world leadership!

Get used to saying President Harris.

 

[TommyBikes]

Why would you knee your own hand?

 

[Dr. Rose]

If only Mark Coleman thought of this but with headbutts.

He probably could have used them on the drop knees that he used to do as well.

 

[humdizzle]

i can see Herb laying on the canvas to see if the hand is blocking the knee

i guess you could also block your opponent from grounding themselves by sticking your foot under their downed knee. would have worked great for Yan against Aljo.

 

[Khaosan]

Why would you knee your own hand?

Damage is the #1 criteria.

 

[HOLA]

what if you use your cup to ram an opponents head?

That's how Robbie Lawler beat Amagov. You could see in the replays the knee missed.

 

[Jackonfire]

what if you use your cup to ram an opponents head?

 

[FrankDux]

Was watching Carla Esparza vs Tecia Pennington II earlier today, at one point Carla got Tecia in north-south for a while and this thought occurred to me. Is it technically a knee strike if there's no direct knee-on-head contact?

1) it's probably not going to hurt their head as much as a regular naked knee
2) it's probably gonna hurt your hand quite a bit as well
3) using one arm to cover your knee is going to make it way easier for your opponent to escape the position

So one could argue that because of these disadvantages, IF the technique still works, it's not unfair. It's not a mere cosmetic difference, it's actually a very different strike.

I could see the hand-covering-knee strike being used to finish a gassed oopponent on the ground late in a fight.

What say you, Sherdogpack?

 

[Mutdog]

what if you use your cup to ram an opponents head?

I've seen this before in the UFC..I can't remember where exactly...I want to say GSP did this during a title defense...he had top control and he was really hip high on dudes face..I looked can't find a clip of it. someone has done it...i clearly remember seeing it lol