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Originally Posted by Shax
Not 100% but I think you're only permitted to kick the legs when an opponent is on his back. I can't recall a single fight where I've seen someone take a kick to the ribs when on the ground from someone standing.
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No, that's not correct.
I believe (not certain) this happened at Franklin/Dewees at UFC 44. I know for sure he knee'd him several times to the body, when he was down, in that fight; not 100% sure if he actually kicked him. But that is legal.
We walk a fine line with this sport. It's got a greater range for
potential violence than, say, boxing; but it should retain both an assurance of safety for the fighters and a reassurance to the public, who are converting to MMA fans in great numbers, that this is a
sport, with rules, dignity and honor, and not just human cockfighting.
I think 95% of us on this board agree there is some point where you reach a reasonable balance between dignity of sport/safety, on the one hand, and outright lack of limitations on the other (perhaps 5% here would welcome a descent into true no-holds-barred fighting).
The question then becomes, where do you draw that line - where do you draw a line such that actions on "this" side of the line are dynamic and exciting to watch, yet assure to a high likelihood the fighters' safety as well as preserving the dignity that separates an honorable sport from a streetfight?
I'm with I think most folks here - knees on the ground (and upkicks) should be legal, however I'm not a fan of stomps and soccer kicks. I agree with what someone earlier said - moves like that belong in a streetfight but shouldn't have a place in a dignified sport.
To speak plainly, there's plenty of latitude to really jam someone up as it is, to keep the sport dynamic and exciting, and keep a wide popularity for the sport, as it is without those things being allowed.