Scott Coker asks California State Athletic Commission to consider Ki MMA rule change

Ki MMA wants the request heard at the commission's stakeholders meeting on 1 December. Former fighter Josh Thomson said the promotion is seeking to allow knees to the head of a grounded opponent.

Scott Coker has formally asked the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) to discuss adopting at least one rule from Japanese MMA for Ki MMA, his new promotion. Coker announced the request on Tuesday.

In a statement, Ki MMA said it wants elements of the global MMA rules brought into the unified rules. Soccer kicks, stomps and linear knee strikes would remain excluded under Rule 533. The promotion said it has asked CSAC to discuss the issue at its stakeholders meeting on 1 December. The topic will be heard there only if the commission accepts the request.

According to former fighter Josh Thomson, Coker specifically wants knees to the head of a grounded opponent to be allowed. The current unified rules ban the technique. Permitting it would give fighters another weapon when grappling on the mat.

The UFC and PFL both use a version of the unified rules, which varies depending on where their events are held. Adopting a rule used by promotions such as RIZIN in Japan would set Ki MMA further apart from those major North American organisations. Ki MMA has already broken from them by planning to hold its bouts in a ring rather than a cage.

Coker previously ran Strikeforce and Bellator. He launched Ki MMA in September with his longtime business partner Rich Chou. The new MMA promotion is expected to open with a 32-fighter featherweight grand prix.

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