UFC CEO Dana White has backed a proposal to ban oblique kicks in MMA, aligning himself with California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster following discussions sparked by UFC 331.
The debate gained fresh attention last Saturday at UFC 331 in Los Angeles when middleweight contender Edmen Shahbazyan repeatedly complained to referee Mike Beltran about Brunno Ferreira targeting his knee with side kicks. While the technique is currently legal under the Unified Rules of MMA, Foster believes that could soon change.
Speaking during a California State Athletic Commission debrief after the event, Foster reportedly pushed for lateral knee kicks, commonly known as oblique kicks, to be added to the list of illegal techniques in MMA.
When asked about the proposal following the latest episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, White made it clear he supports Foster’s position.
“Listen, he is the most powerful guy in the commission anywhere in the world, and he’s the best,” White said. “And yeah, we don’t disagree.”
The discussion around oblique kicks has intensified in recent years due to concerns about the damage they can cause to an opponent’s knee. The technique became widely known through former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who used it effectively throughout his title reign.
Several fighters have since adopted the strike as a key part of their arsenal, including Ian Machado Garry, Khalil Rountree Jr., and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
One of the most notable examples came at UFC Vegas 36, when Rountree landed an oblique kick that severely injured Modestas Bukauskas’ knee and sidelined him for more than a year.
More recently, Michael Page’s use of the technique came under scrutiny after his victory over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Fight Night 287 in Paris. The injury reportedly led to Ruziboev requiring knee surgery, adding fuel to calls for the move to be outlawed.
While no official rule change has been made, White’s endorsement gives significant momentum to the conversation. With Foster leading the push and the UFC boss publicly supporting the idea, the future of oblique kicks in MMA could soon become a major topic among regulators, fighters, and promoters.
If approved, the change would remove one of the sport’s most controversial striking techniques and mark a significant update to the Unified Rules of MMA.
