Scott Coker's new promotion Ki MMA seeks California approval for grounded knees

The former Strikeforce and Bellator boss has asked the California State Athletic Commission to discuss the rule change at its 1 December stakeholders meeting, ahead of Ki MMA's launch in early 2027.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Wed 21 Oct, 15:31 UK · AI-assisted reporting

coker's ki mma rules graphic — Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

Scott Coker has formally asked the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) to allow knees to the head of a grounded opponent, a strike banned under the Unified Rules of MMA, for his new promotion, Ki MMA.

Coker, who previously ran Strikeforce and Bellator, plans to launch Ki MMA in early 2027. Unlike the UFC, the promotion will hold its fights in a ring, in the style of Japanese MMA.

The proposal stops short of the full Japanese-style ruleset. Coker said the request excludes soccer kicks, stomps and linear knee strikes, and that Ki MMA has asked CSAC to put the subject on the agenda for its stakeholders meeting on 1 December.

Coker wrote: “I’ve always believed MMA should keep evolving.” He added: “Ki MMA has formally requested a rule change to bring elements of the global MMA rules into the unified rules, excluding soccer kicks, stomps and linear knee strikes as per Rule 533.” Former Strikeforce headliner Josh Thomson backed the move, pointing to recent comments from UFC commentator Jon Anik about the sport adopting changes such as new gloves and open scoring. Thomson said: “Scott Coker is leading that charge with what most people want … knees to the head of a grounded opponent!”