What Moves Are Banned in The UFC?

Piledriving is a technique in professional wrestling in which a fighter holds the opponent, flips them over, and drives their head into the mat.

Although it is frequently used in WWE, we are talking about Real Fighting; it is prohibited in MMA as it can cause major damage to the spine.

This technique is perhaps best known to wrestling fans as the Undertaker's signature finishing technique. Given that, Owen Hart's neck was broken by the same technique. Piledriving is also the major reason why Stone Cold left the WWE.

So, before attempting this technique in UFC, consider how it will affect your opponent; remember that UFC is just as legitimate as any MMA competition.

You can see a close example of piledriving in the video below:

The technique of "fish-hooking" involves putting fingers of one or both hands into the opponent's mouth, nose, or other orifices and pushing away; this is typically done to tug, tear, or lacerate the tissues.

One of the worst things someone can do to his opponent is fish hooking. You will undoubtedly get disqualified for this unsportsmanlike behavior.

Fish hooking is strictly prohibited in the UFC and is likely the most unlawful act a fighter can do during a fight. Even though this technique is taught as self-defense in several martial arts, it is strictly forbidden in the UFC and other combat sports.

In the video below, you can see Bryan Caraway fish-hooking Erik Perez:

A headbutt is a precise punch to the head that usually involves using a sturdy part of the skull. The strongest bones in the forehead or back of the skull are used in the most powerful headbutts to hit an opponent's most sensitive areas, including the eyes and nose.

Although head butts are permitted in Lethwei, one of the most deadly MMA, they are not permitted in a UFC match.

This is one of the most controversial illegal UFC maneuvers. Headbutts used to be completely acceptable in the UFC. They are not now. Why? Headbutting an opponent can result in serious brain trauma and lifelong damage that cannot be repaired. If they were permitted, we would probably observe several terrible injuries within the cage because they are relatively simple to do.

A headbutt can cause some terrible cuts and bleeding on sensitive facial parts, such as the nose or eyes.

Do you remember the UFC 259 moment when Cruz Dominick accidentally headbutted Cejudo? Cejudo suffered a terrible cut close to his eyebrow and started bleeding heavily.

You can see Headbutt in the following video:

A 12-6 elbow is a strike used in the fighting sport of mixed martial arts. Officially known as "downward elbow strikes." Elbow strikes move from straight up (12 o'clock on a clock) to straight down (6 o'clock).

There is no question that they need to be prohibited since they can seriously harm the opponent's brain. It is possible to be disqualified for using 12-6 elbows.

Jon Jones must be mentioned when discussing 12-6 elbows. Jones faced Mark Hamill in his fourth UFC bout. Jones hit Mark Hamill with several 12-6 elbows while thoroughly dominating the fight and overpowering him, leading to disqualification for Jones.

12-6 Elbow was banned because of seriously harming the opponents’ brains. It was banned till 1 ^st November 2018. But now, after recent changes in the unified rules of MMA, it is legalized. Anyone can now throw 12-6 elbows on their opponents. ABC voted for the removal of the ban in July 2024. The first match was played on 2 ^nd November 2024 at UFC Edmonton, Canada, after the ban was lifted on 1 ^st November.

Jon Jones, who was disqualified in December 2009 because of using 12-6 elbows in a match against Mark Hamil, is excited after this change in rules made by UFC. He said he has trained extensively for different attacks, including 12-6 elbows. He added that he is eager to play that shot and become the first athlete to use that shot legally.

Jones is also hopeful that the match’s result will be updated. He said the rule is changed now, so his match record should also be updated. He remained in a dominant position in that match till the end, but he was disqualified because of using a 12-6 elbow. He was disappointed at that referee’s decision. After 15 years, he still has not forgotten that and hopes the result will be overturned.

An intentional hit to an opponent's groin region is called a groin strike. Due to the sensitivity of the groin region and genitalia, the technique, which is occasionally employed as a self-defense tactic, can be quickly debilitating.

Blows to the groin often occur accidentally, just as headbutts. Even though fighters are required to wear cups, even accidental kicks to the groin may feel quite painful. A fighter gets five minutes to recover after receiving a punch or kick to the groin. If he cannot recover in the allotted time, the bout may be declared no contest or subject to disqualification.

In 2005 UFC 55, Alessio Sakara accidentally received the most brutal groin strike by his opponent, Ron Faircloth. The bout was declared a "no contest" because Sakara was in terrible pain and unable to continue.

The UFC does not permit strikes or kicks to the throat. Due to the nature of the sport, accidental punches and kicks to the neck or throat are most likely to happen. Although they are prohibited, the referee will not pause the bout because of an accidental hit.

Other than strikes, a player cannot grab the trachea, according to the recent changes made by the UFC in the unified rules of MMA. Both striking and grabbing the trachea are banned by UFC.

The referee would only break up a fight if one participant was injured or tried to strike the opponent's throat. It is against the rules for a fighter to pull their opponent's head back to expose the neck region while using the other hand to attack the throat.

Punches to the throat are extremely dangerous and forbidden in all competitive combat sports.

In the following video, Ramsey Dewey, an MMA coach, explains why throat strikes are illegal.

It is acceptable to kick or knee the opponent in the head while standing; doing so while on the ground is against the law. A fighter will probably lose points or get disqualified for kneeing or kicking a downed opponent.

After the recent changes in rules made by UFC, the definition of opponent on the ground has changed. Before a change in the rule, if any part of the body except the feet touched the ground, he was considered grounded. But now, after the rule change, an opponent will only be considered grounded if he touches or puts his elbows or knees on the ground. This rule was changed by believing that a fighter can touch his palm on the ground to protect himself/herself from the knees and kicks thrown by the opponent.

There is an exception to this rule: when both fighters are on the ground, i.e., their knees or elbows are touching the ground. In that situation, both can kick each other while they are on the ground. This rule applies only when one is standing, and the other one is on the ground.

It's important to note that those hits during grappling exchanges are not prohibited (if both fighters are on the ground). However, it is illegal when one is standing and exerts great force, and a kick or knee to the head can cause significant injury.

The person on top can land a knee to the head while getting up without realizing that their fist or knee is still in touch with the ground. When this occurs, the referee can pause the bout, give the fighter time to recover, and give the other fighter a severe warning.

It is also known as rabbit punching. UFC competitors have the power to strike their opponents while grappling. However, they are not permitted to strike the spine or the back of the skull.

Because of the sensitivity of that part of the body, striking these parts can result in serious, life-long damage and can even be fatal.

Recently, an MMA referee put himself into controversy after not declaring a foul against Jasmine Jasudavicius when she won the match after multiple using band moves. One of the banned moves she used was a strike on the back of the head or back headshots. She was playing against Ariane Da Silva and was throwing multiple banned moves. However, the referee did not declare a foul against her, and she ultimately won the match. After the incident, fans moved to Twitter to express their frustration with the referee. Ariane Da Silva did not appeal any action against Jasmine over using those illegal shots.

Due to the involvement of extensive head movement, it is a common technique in boxing. It happens less commonly in MMA, typically when a combatant back mounts an opponent and gains access to their back. The referee should use extreme caution when examining strikes to the back of the head since they are difficult to spot.

In eye poking, a fighter moves his hand towards the opponent's face with open fingers and hits his eyes. Even though they are forbidden, eye pokes are frequently used in mixed martial arts.

Poking an opponent, whether accidentally or on purpose, can cause serious harm. Eye pokes can occasionally result in a point deduction or even disqualification. But frequently, they escape punishment.

According to unified rules made by MMA, a fighter cannot direct his hands toward the opponent’s eyes. He cannot even direct his hands towards the eyes of the opponent. This rule is made as eye poking can cause serious eye injury. A person can lose his sight due to eye poking. Therefore, both eye poking and directing fingers towards the opponent’s eyes are banned by UFC.

Hair-pulling doesn't usually happen in a cage, even in the female UFC division. Even though it's uncommon, hair-pulling occasionally occurs when martial artists are engaged in the clinch. Fighting by pulling an opponent's hair is extremely painful and can be utilized to gain the upper hand.

As discussed earlier, another banned move used by Jasmine Jasudavicius in a match playing against Ariane Da Silva was hair-pulling. Pics from the game of Jasmine Jasudavicius pulling Ariane's hair went viral on social media. Fans slammed the referee for not deciding against Jasmine over using banned moves. If a player uses any banned move in the match, then after one or two warnings given by the referee to him, he should be disqualified. Jones was disqualified back in 2009 due to using 12-6 elbows, which, however, are legalized now.

This unlawful maneuver can also assist you to escape a locked-in position or prevent your opponent from surpassing you in strength. Therefore, one of the most painful illegal actions in UFC is believed to be hair-pulling.

You can see hair pulling in the video below from the 7:20 mark:

Biting is completely banned in the UFC. However, it occurs very rarely in all kinds of combat sports.

A fighter must understand that a referee may be unable to see all their movements and must alert the referee if they are being bitten during the fight.

Spitting on the opponent is also banned. A player cannot spit on the opponent; otherwise, a foul will be declared against whoever spits.

In a very notorious incident, you can see Mike Tyson bite Holyfield's ear:

In grappling, small joint manipulation is the act of tugging, twisting, or bending an opponent's fingers, toes, wrists, or ankles to lock one or more of the joints in those limbs.

Small joint manipulation is completely forbidden for UFC fighters. Due to how strict this rule is, you hardly ever witness fighters disobeying it. Unlike eye pokes or groin blows, a fighter cannot accidentally break their opponent's fingers or toes.

Although martial arts like Krav Maga teach breaking fingers and toes, you cannot use these techniques in MMA. MMA fighters instead allowed and concentrated on employing BJJ submissions to manipulate big joints like the arms, shoulders, or legs.

Even if joint locks and chokes are permitted, competitors must still put in their best effort to avoid hurting their opponents. When the opponent taps out, or the referee instructs them to stop, they must release the submission. Holding on to submission indicates attempting to harm and break their opponent's arm or leg.

UFC fighters cannot grab or hold the fence using their toes or fingers. Fighters can be observed doing this when defending a takedown against a fence or when attempting to get out of a bottom position.

UFC fighters can, however, lean their hands and feet against the cage. They can even push off the cage with their hands or legs to get out of the clinch or any other position. Everything turns illegal when they begin grabbing the fence to keep the opponent from bringing them to the ground.

Holding the opponent's gloves or shorts is also forbidden when engaging in clinches or grappling maneuvers.

Holding an opponent's gloves or shorts can give an advantage to a fighter, just like holding a fence. Although there is a minimal chance of accident or injury, gripping the shorts or gloves might restrict the opponent and provide a significant advantage, so it is prohibited.

A soccer kick is also known as PK (penalty kick). It is performed by a fighter when the opponent is in a standing or semi-standing position.

Soccer kicks are completely banned in the UFC. These kicks resemble the ones we see when a player kicks the ball in a soccer game. In MMA, competitors use the same action to deliver this kick, but they land it on the opponent bending or attempting to get up. Doctors warn that this kind of kick can cause broken necks and other severe injuries.

Soccer kicks were permitted in the early years of the UFC, but when unified rules were introduced in the early 2000s, they were banned.

Soccer kicks are not banned in MMA promotions like Rizin Fighting Championship and ONE FC. Both promotions allow fighters to use soccer kicks on the opponent’s body or head.

• A fighter cannot use abusive language in the fighting area, neither with the opponent nor the referee.

• A fighter cannot throw his opponent out of the fighting area or ring. This is very common in combat sports. But it is completely banned in UFC. Doing this will lead to the disqualification of the fighter.

• A fighter cannot show timidity.

• He cannot intentionally avoid contact with an opponent.

• He cannot fake any injury; otherwise, a foul will be declared against him.

• He cannot disrespect the referee’s instructions. He has to follow his instructions throughout the match.

• He cannot try to cause injury to the opponent. Intentionally causing injury or playing any move that can cause serious injury to the opponent is banned in FUC.

• After the match, a fighter cannot hit the opponent.

• During the match, corners cannot cause any interference or disrupt the game to favor their fighter.

• A fighter cannot hit the opponent if he is under the referee’s care for any reason. A referee may take an opponent under his care if injured during the fight.

• A fighter cannot hit the opponent during the break. During the break, both fighters are not allowed to fight with each other.

Depending on the type of move played, there can be multiple consequences of using banned moves in UFC. The decision depends entirely on the referee.

• A player can be disqualified without any prior warning.

• The referee can deduct points from the fighter who played an illegal move.

• The referee may not declare a foul; in that case, judges cannot make any assessment.

• The referee can stop the fight for some time, depending on the move played and the harm caused by the move on the opponent.

UFC is one of the most anticipated physical combat sports of MMA. UFC has banned some potentially dangerous techniques which could be deadly for fighters. Recently, on November 1 ^st , 2024, UFC made some changes to the unified rules of MMA. The most significant change was legalizing the 12-6 elbows. Everyone is reacting differently to that change. Some support the change, while others oppose the change and demand a ban on the 12-6 elbow.

However, all these rules ensure no serious injury or harm is caused to the fighter during the game. All fighters must obey the unified rules of MMA.

During an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) match, you can’t do the following:

• A fighter cannot use abusive language.

• A fighter cannot throw his opponent out of the fighting area or ring.

• He cannot intentionally avoid contact with an opponent.

• After the match, a fighter cannot hit the opponent.

• He cannot disrespect the referee’s instructions.

12-6 Elbow was banned because of seriously harming the opponents’ brains. It was banned till 1^st November 2018. But now, after recent changes in the unified rules of MMA, it is legalized. Anyone can now throw 12-6 elbows on their opponents. ABC voted for the removal of the ban in July 2024. The first match was played on 2nd November 2024 at UFC Edmonton, Canada, after the ban was lifted on 1st November.

Hair pulling is not allowed in UFC. Hair-pulling doesn't usually happen in a cage, even in the female UFC division. Even though it's uncommon, hair-pulling occasionally occurs when martial artists are engaged in the clinch. 

Fighting by pulling an opponent's hair is extremely painful and can be utilized to gain the upper hand. The banned move used by Jasmine Jasudavicius in a match playing against Ariane Da Silva was hair-pulling. Pics from the match of Jasmine Jasudavicius pulling Ariane's hair went viral on social media. Fans slammed the referee for not deciding against Jasmine over using banned moves.

Depending on the type of move played, there can be multiple consequences of using banned moves in UFC. The decision depends entirely on the referee.

• A player can be disqualified without any prior warning.

• The referee can deduct points from the fighter who played an illegal move.

• The referee may not declare a foul; in that case, judges cannot make any assessment.

• The referee can stop the fight for some time, depending on the move played and the harm caused by the move on the opponent.

Rabbit punches are banned in UFC. Striking on the back of the head is also known as rabbit punching. UFC competitors have the power to strike their opponents while grappling. However, they are not permitted to strike the spine or the back of the skull. Because of the sensitivity of that part of the body, striking these parts can result in serious, life-long damage and can even be fatal.

Biting is completely banned in the UFC. However, it occurs very rarely in all kinds of combat sports. A fighter must understand that a referee may be unable to see all their movements and must alert the referee if they are being bitten during the fight. Spitting on the opponent is also banned. A player cannot spit on the opponent; otherwise, a foul will be declared against whoever spits. 

Hammer fists are allowed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Hammer fists are clenched fists in which a fighter blows the opponent, usually on the side of the hand. The right hand is mostly used by fighters to throw a hammer fist. Fighters prefer using hammer fists rather than using punches. This is because hammer fists are more effective than punches. They have more force than punches and are completely allowed in UFC.

Soccer kicks, as the name suggests, are kicks that resemble someone kicking a football. These kicks are thrown on the player who is standing up or bending. These kicks are not allowed in the UFC because of the risk of breaking the bones. Soccer kicks were permitted in the early years of the UFC, but when unified rules were introduced in the early 2000s, they were banned. Soccer kicks are not banned in MMA promotions like Rizin Fighting Championship and ONE FC. Both promotions allow fighters to use soccer kicks on the opponent’s body or head.

Yes, these are allowed in the UFC. These are only not allowed or banned when your opponent is grounded. According to the rule:

“A fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or kicked to the head when anybody other than their hands or feet is in contact with the canvas (ground).”

So, if a player is not grounded, you can kick the face. But striking on the back of the head is not allowed in any condition. 

Photo credit: @mmanews