One of the most talked about rules in the MMA rule set is that of the definition of what a ground fighter actually is.
The Association Of Boxing Commission & Combative Sports (ABC) recently held their annual meeting and they have voted unanimously to make an alteration to what a grounded fighter is according to a report from ESPN.
According to ESPN, a grounded fighter under the altered rules is going to be a “grounded fighter is constituted as any fighter who has anything but the soles of his or her feet on the canvas, with the exception of his or her fingers. A fighter can put a single fist or palm on the ground and be considered grounded, but not solely one or two fingers.”
Under the old rule, a grounded fighter was “a fighter must have both palms or fists, or any other body part besides the soles of the feet, on the mat to be considered grounded.”
Mike Mazzulli, who is the head of the ABC and the Mohegan Tribe Department Of Athletic Regulation, states that his state (Connecticut) should adopt the new rule almost immediately. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) and New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (NJSACB) are both expected to pass the rule alteration as well according to ESPN.
UFC and Bellator MMA officials also spoke during the annual meeting, stating that they are both in favor of the rule alteration.
