Rule makers have extended a helping hand to UFC fighters who have felt unfairly treated when encountering fouls.
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Rule makers have extended a helping hand to UFC fighters who have felt unfairly treated when encountering fouls or unintentional eye pokes, offering them some much-needed respite.
As Erik Magraken reports, significant developments have taken place within the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC). They have not only approved two substantial new rules but also offered clarification on a third, all of which are poised to have a definite impact on the dynamics within the Octagon. The longstanding issue of rules surrounding accidental eye pokes and intentional fouls, which have historically disadvantaged the affected fighter, is now receiving much-needed attention and corrective measures.
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The new rule states, “That a cut person could tend to a cut caused by a foul during a round (as opposed to just in between rounds).”
“When a foul occurs — whether it’s a clash of heads or whether it’s an illegal strike of some kind and (a fighter has) a cut, fighters will now have up to five minutes to recover from that cut. During that time a cut person could come into the ring or cage and could tend to that wound. They can’t tend to anything else, but they could tend to the wound.
As per the old rules “the fighter had to resume the fight, make it to the end of the round and only then the cut person could come in.” But now “they’ve changed that to say the cut person could address it immediately to give that fighter a better chance of being able to continue.”
“Clarification of how referees and ringside physicians should work together following an eye poke foul. The clarification will help ensure some bouts don’t come to a premature end following a foul without giving a fighter adequate time to potentially recover.”
Magraken provides a detailed explanation of the new procedures in place for handling eye pokes during a fight. When such an incident occurs, a timeout is initiated, granting the fighter up to five minutes for recovery. The noteworthy additions include the option for officials to offer a cold compress to the affected fighter, providing a brief additional period, usually around a minute or 90 seconds, to allow for recovery. Following this, the ringside physician should approach, ideally avoiding immediate exposure of the fighter’s eye to a bright light while inquiring about their vision.
The third rule that received approval involves the formal inclusion of specific language outlining the referee’s discretion regarding when to intervene and separate fighters who may be engaging in stalling tactics.
“Intention: A fighter should never be allowed to improve their position based on fouling.
“When a fighter who is in a disadvantaged position fouls and the referee must stop the action — if it can be reasonably accomplished, the fighters should be returned to their positions after the time is taken for the warning, physician’s examination or point deduction.
“When a fighter who is in position of advantage fouls and the referee must stop the action for a warning, physician’s examination or point deduction, the fouling fighter should lose his position of advantage when the bout resumes.”
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