Things They Don’t Allow in MMA that’s Good Self-Defense

That’s one mouthful of a title but is straight to the point.

MMA has evolved into a sport. Just like any other sport, it has rules and limitations in a self-defense/street application. Let’s start by looking at the list of illegal moves in MMA. (Based off UFC’s Website)

Here is the list with my comments and experience (if any):

i.Butting with the head- Great against bear-hugs from the front or back. Illegal because it’ll cause too much damage too soon to a fighter’s face. (Cuts, broken noses)

ii.Eye gouging of any kind- One of the most practical moves you can use in self-defense, using your thumb if close up or your fingers if farther away. Illegal for competition because it might cause Permanent damage.

iii.Biting- Great against grapplers. I’ve bitten someone before while I was being arm-barred and that made him release it quick. Also good in any last ditch situation. Nobody will mess with you after you bite their neck open or their nose off. Illegal because it might cause Permanent damage.

iv.Spitting at an opponent- Good distraction used by street fighters. Illegal for health-related reasons plus it doesn’t look good on TV.

v.Hair pulling- Good move that can be used to cause pain or to control your opponent’s head. Illegal because it’s “cheap” and might cause unsightly damage.

vi.Fish hooking- Good in a street fight. Will cause permanent damage.

vii.Groin attacks of any kind- One of the most sensible and normal things to do in a self-defense situation. Illegal because it gives the attacker a great advantage in the fight. (Might put down his opponent with 1 blow.) Can cause permanent damage and death.

viii.Putting a finger into any orifice or any cut or laceration of an opponent- Again, illegal because of damage control but often done “accidentally” in MMS (Rubbing gloves against open cuts..) so this doesn’t really count.

ix.Small joint manipulation- Can cause permanent damage.

x.Striking downward using the point of the elbow- One of the best moves from the Muay Thai arsenal removed. Highly effective. I’ve used it in “free sparring” several times. Might cause permanent damage or death.

xi.Striking to the spine or the back of the head- Illegal because it’s dangerous and can cause permanent damage (paralysis) or death.

xii.Kicking to the kidney with a heel- Tailor-made vs. BJJ practitioners. Highly Effective when you have opponent in Guard. I’ve used this in “free sparring” sessions to great effect. Illegal for health reasons?

xiii.Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea- Another effective street fighting move that can end fights quickly. Can incapacitate, cause permanent damage, or death easily.

xiv.Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh- Not really effective in the streets unless you target the eyes. Damage from clawing, pinching or twisting otherwise is easily ignored in high-adrenaline situations like a fight.

xv.Grabbing the clavicle- Painful but not practical in a street fight. There are better, more accessible targets.

xvi.Kicking the head of a grounded opponent- Does too much damage in a sporting event. Good to use in the streets. You don’t want to go down with your opponent to the ground.

xvii.Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent- Tailor-fit for MMA, specifically to counter BJJ practitioners. You can end an MMA bout quickly this way. Can cause serious damage or death. Not advisable to use in the streets as it entails you going down with him.

xviii.Stomping a grounded opponent- “Cheap” in MMA but very effective way to end fights in the streets, especially if you’re wearing boots, heavy shoes.

xix.Holding the fence- MMA-only rule. No application in a street fight.

xx.Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent- Makes it easy to throw your opponent or control his arms.

xxi.Using abusive language in fenced ring/fighting area- No comment.

xxii.Engaging in any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes injury to an opponent- Very vague and can entail A LOT of things.

xxiii.Attacking an opponent on or during the break- No comment.

xxiv.Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee- No comment.

xxv.Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the round- No comment.

xxvi.Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury-LOL. No comment.

xxvii.Throwing opponent out of ring/fighting area- No comment.

xxviii.Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee- No comment.

xxix.Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck- Deadly. You won’t have time to do this in a real fight anyways.

xxx.Interference by the corner- In the streets you want as much interference/help as possible.

xxxi.Applying any foreign substance to the hair or body to gain an advantage- No comment.

In conclusion, if you’re training in MMA, use what you’ve learned but don’t hesitate to train and use the weapons that you don’t usually use in an MMA match. Train for eye jabs, throat strikes, groin strikes, stomps, etc. too. MMA is a sport and is only half-effective in a self-defense situation. There’s no “tapping” or “rules” in the streets- so if a BJJ black belt takes you down and puts you in an arm bar, thank him and bite that fucker’s calf off!