Dana White backs Andy Foster’s push to ban oblique kicks in MMA

Dana White supports Andy Foster’s proposed ban on oblique kicks, MMA Fighting reports. The California commission director wants lateral kicks to the knee outlawed under the Unified Rules of MMA.

Dana White has backed California State Athletic Commission director Andy Foster’s push to ban oblique kicks in MMA, MMA Fighting reports.

Kicks of this kind are currently legal. Foster told a commission meeting following UFC 331 that he wanted the Unified Rules of MMA changed to prohibit lateral knee kicks.

Speaking to the media after the latest episode of Contender Series, UFC CEO White praised Foster: “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 issue surfaced during Edmen Shahbazyan’s unanimous decision win over Brunno Ferreira in a middleweight preliminary bout at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on Saturday. Shahbazyan complained about Ferreira’s side kicks to his knee, apparently believing they were illegal.

Jon Jones popularised the oblique kick during his reign as UFC light heavyweight champion. Khalil Rountree Jr. later used one to stop Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Vegas 36, injuring Bukauskas’ knee and leaving him out of action for 14 months.