Dana White backs Andy Foster's bid to ban oblique kicks from MMA rulebook

UFC CEO Dana White has publicly backed California State Athletic Commission Director Andy Foster’s proposal to ban oblique kicks from MMA, adding significant weight to a rule change that could reshape how fighters approach striking.

The debate resurfaced at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, where middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan defeated Brunno Ferreira by unanimous decision in a preliminary bout that carried a degree of controversy. During the fight, Shahbazyan complained to the referee about Ferreira’s side kicks to the knee — a technique he appeared to believe was already illegal, though it is not under the current Unified Rules of MMA.

Speaking at the Commission meeting following the event, Foster reportedly stated his intention to amend the Unified Rules to make lateral knee kicks illegal. White confirmed his support when speaking with media after a recent episode of Contender Series.

“Listen, he’s the most powerful guy in the commission anywhere in the world, and he’s the best,” White said. “And we don’t disagree.”

The oblique kick — a straight, downward-angled strike targeting the side of an opponent’s knee — was popularised by Jon Jones during his dominant run as UFC light heavyweight champion and has since been adopted by numerous fighters across the sport. Its capacity for serious injury has long made it a point of contention among athletes, coaches, and regulators alike.

The technique’s potential for lasting damage was underscored at UFC Vegas 36, when Khalil Rountree Jr. stopped Modestas Bukauskas with an oblique kick that tore ligaments in Bukauskas’ knee, keeping him sidelined for 14 months.

Foster’s push would need to be ratified through the formal Unified Rules process, which involves multiple athletic commissions across the United States. With White’s backing, however, the proposal carries considerably more momentum than it might otherwise command.