When most people think about the UFC, they picture brutal knockouts, slick submissions, and fighters pushing their limits inside the Octagon. But what many casual fans don’t realize is that the UFC isn’t a free-for-all. In fact, it’s one of the most carefully regulated combat sports in the world, guided by something called the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.
These rules are there to protect fighters, keep the competition fair, and maintain MMA’s credibility as a legitimate sport. Over the years, we’ve seen how one illegal strike can change the outcome of a fight—or even a fighter’s career. Remember Petr Yan’s infamous knee against Aljamain Sterling? That moment alone proves how important these rules are.
So, what exactly counts as an illegal move in the UFC? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Why UFC Has Illegal Moves
MMA combines striking, grappling, and submissions from disciplines like boxing, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and Muay Thai. Without rules, it could easily become dangerous beyond reason. Illegal moves exist to:
-
Prevent career-ending injuries (like spinal damage from a spike).
-
Ensure fighters are competing on equal terms.
-
Help referees maintain order inside the cage.
This doesn’t mean fighters are wrapped in bubble wrap—far from it. The UFC is still one of the toughest sports on the planet. But there’s a line between toughness and recklessness, and that’s where these rules step in.
Categories of Illegal Moves
For easier understanding, illegal UFC moves can be grouped into three main categories: striking fouls, grappling fouls, and positional fouls. Let’s go through them step by step.
1. Striking Fouls
These are the most common types of fouls and usually happen when fighters get caught up in the heat of the moment.
Headbutts – Using your head as a weapon might work in street fights, but it’s a no-go in the Octagon. Too much risk of concussions and cuts.
Eye gouging – Poking or scratching the eye, even accidentally, can stop a fight instantly. It’s one of the most dangerous fouls because vision damage can be permanent.
Biting or spitting – Obvious reasons here. MMA may be violent, but it’s not primal street fighting.
Hair pulling & fish-hooking – Yanking hair or hooking the mouth with fingers has nothing to do with martial arts skill. Both are banned.
Groin strikes – Whether it’s a kick, knee, or accidental slip, low blows are illegal. Fighters get up to five minutes to recover, but repeated fouls can lead to point deductions.
Strikes to the back of the head or spine – Protects fighters from brainstem and spinal cord injuries. Many fighters complain about this rule’s “gray area,” but referees enforce it strictly.
Throat attacks – Grabbing or striking the trachea is off-limits. It’s too dangerous and can affect breathing instantly.
Illegal strikes to a grounded opponent – Kicks, knees, or stomps to the head when a fighter is down (both hands, knees, or body part touching the mat) are banned in most states. This rule gets debated a lot, but it’s still enforced in UFC events.
Small joint manipulation – Twisting fingers or toes may seem minor, but it can cause immediate damage. Fighters must target larger joints like elbows and knees instead.
2. Grappling and Submission Fouls
Illegal moves don’t just happen when trading punches—grappling has its own set of rules.
Throwing an opponent outside the cage – Wrestling-style slams are fine, but trying to toss someone out of the Octagon? Absolutely illegal.
Grabbing the fence or cage – Fighters can’t hang on to the fence to stop takedowns or gain leverage. You’ll often hear refs yelling, “Let go of the fence!”
Holding gloves or shorts – Same idea. It gives an unfair advantage, so referees will step in immediately.
Spiking an opponent on their head/neck – Think piledriver in pro wrestling. This is banned because it can break the neck or paralyze a fighter.
Small joint submissions – Like finger locks. Fighters must attack bigger joints with recognized submissions such as armbars or heel hooks.
3. Positional and Timing Fouls
Sometimes fouls aren’t about what you throw—it’s about when or how you throw it. These are the kinds of mistakes that can cost fighters points even if they weren’t trying to cheat.
Striking after the bell – Once the round ends, all action must stop immediately. Even a split-second late punch can draw a warning.
Attacking during a referee break – If the ref steps in to separate fighters, all strikes must stop. Hitting during that moment is a foul.
Attacking a defenseless opponent – If a fighter taps out or is clearly unconscious, the opponent must stop right away. Continuing to attack can lead to a disqualification.
Timidity (stalling or faking injuries) – Fighters are expected to engage. Running away or constantly avoiding contact is considered unsportsmanlike.
Using the cage for unfair advantage – Pushing off with toes in the fence or climbing it for leverage isn’t allowed.
Penalties for Illegal Moves
Not every foul ends a fight, but referees have a range of tools depending on the severity:
Verbal warning – For minor or accidental fouls.
Point deduction – Taken off the judges’ scorecards, which can swing the outcome.
Disqualification (DQ) – If the foul is intentional or too damaging, the offending fighter can lose instantly.
No Contest – If an accidental foul makes it impossible for a fighter to continue before enough rounds are completed.
A common example is groin strikes—fighters are given up to five minutes to recover. If they can’t continue and it’s ruled unintentional, the fight might be a no contest.
Famous UFC Fights Changed by Illegal Moves
Illegal strikes have shaped UFC history more than once:
-
Jon Jones vs. Matt Hamill (2009) – Jones landed 12–6 elbows, which were illegal at the time. He was disqualified, marking the only official loss on his record.
-
Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling (2021) – Yan kneed a grounded Sterling, handing him the bantamweight title by disqualification. The controversy kept the MMA world buzzing for months.
-
Anthony Smith vs. Jon Jones (2019) – Jones landed an illegal knee, but Smith chose to continue. If he hadn’t, he could have become champion via DQ.
These moments remind fans and fighters alike: even the best can slip up under pressure.
Rule Changes and Updates
MMA rules continue to evolve as the sport grows. A major update came in July 2024, when the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) voted to:
-
Legalize 12–6 elbows – Once banned, now permitted because studies showed no greater injury risk compared to other elbow strikes.
-
Redefine a grounded fighter – Now, a fighter must place both hands flat on the mat to be considered grounded. No more “fingertip” loopholes that confused fans and refs.
Not every state has adopted these updates yet, which is why UFC rules may differ slightly depending on the location of the event.
Why These Rules Matter
At the end of the day, the UFC is about testing skill, toughness, and strategy—not who can cause the most lasting damage. The rules:
-
Protect fighters’ long-term health.
-
Maintain fairness in competition.
-
Help MMA stay sanctioned as a legitimate professional sport.
Without these guidelines, MMA might have never grown into the global powerhouse it is today.
Conclusion
The UFC may look brutal, but it’s far from lawless. Illegal moves like eye gouges, groin strikes, headbutts, and spikes are banned to balance entertainment with safety. And as recent changes like the legalization of 12–6 elbows show, the rules aren’t set in stone—they evolve as the sport does.
So next time you’re watching a UFC fight and hear the referee shout, “Watch the back of the head!” you’ll know exactly why. The fighters may be warriors, but the rules make sure the battle stays a sport, not a street fight.
FAQs About Illegal UFC Moves
❓ Can you knee a downed opponent in UFC?
No. Knees to the head of a grounded opponent are illegal under the Unified Rules of MMA. A fighter is considered grounded if they have both hands flat on the mat, or any part of their body other than the soles of their feet touching the canvas.
❓ Are soccer kicks legal in UFC?
No. Unlike some promotions such as PRIDE in the past, soccer kicks to the head of a downed opponent are banned in UFC. They’re considered too dangerous for fighter safety.
❓ Can you elbow anywhere in UFC?
Mostly yes—but there’s one exception. Fighters can’t strike the back of the head or spine with elbows. Also, until 2024, 12–6 downward elbows were banned, but they are now officially legal in most jurisdictions.
❓ What happens if a fighter gets hit with an illegal strike?
It depends on the situation. The referee can issue a warning, deduct points, declare a no contest, or even disqualify the offending fighter. If the foul was accidental and the injured fighter can’t continue, the result often goes to a no contest.
❓ Can UFC fighters grab the cage?
No. Grabbing or holding the fence is illegal because it prevents takedowns or gives an unfair advantage. Referees usually warn fighters quickly and may deduct points if it continues.
❓ Are groin strikes always accidental?
Not always. Sometimes they’re truly accidental, but if a fighter repeatedly throws strikes that land on the groin, referees may treat it as intentional. Either way, it’s illegal, and the affected fighter gets up to five minutes to recover.
❓ Why does UFC ban moves that seem normal in street fights?
Because the UFC is a sport. Techniques like eye gouges, headbutts, or spikes carry a high risk of permanent injury and don’t showcase martial arts skill. The rules make sure fighters compete at the highest level without unnecessary risks.
