Foster Considers Banning Oblique Kicks After UFC 331

California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster is pushing to ban oblique kicks to the knee, a legal but polarizing striking technique that came under scrutiny following UFC 331 last weekend.

Foster raised the issue during a CSAC debrief after the Sept. 19 card at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, according to MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter. The topic surfaced after middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan complained to the referee during his unanimous decision win over Brunno Ferreira, apparently unaware that side-kicks to the knee are permitted under current unified rules.

What Oblique Kicks Are and Why Foster Wants Them Out

Oblique kicks — lateral strikes aimed at an opponent's knee joint — are considered cheap shots in most training gyms and typically banned in sparring. While the technique looks subtle, it can cause serious ligament damage when landed at certain angles. Foster now wants the technique reclassified as a foul, Bronsteter reported on X.

Foster also outlined two other potential rule changes at the debrief. He proposed reclassifying fouls from the current intentional-versus-unintentional system to three tiers: incidental, reckless, or malicious. "He believes that will make fighters keep their hands closed and reduce eye pokes," Bronsteter wrote. Foster also wants medical professionals to weigh in on legalizing a specific peptide that accelerates cut healing without enhancing performance.

The CSAC has not announced a timeline for formal discussions on any of the proposed changes.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Controversial MMA technique could be banned following UFC 331