Pimblett Asks UFC to Allow Kicks and Knees on the Ground

Pimblett Advocates for Changes in UFC Rules

UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett has expressed his desire for the organization to allow fighters to kick and knee their opponents in the head while they are on the ground. Pimblett (23-3), who will face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title on January 24, explained that, although he is not in favor of stomps to the head, he believes that soccer kicks and the use of the knee should be allowed under certain circumstances.

I don’t agree with the stomps because the head has nowhere to go.

Paddy Pimblett

Pimblett, on Tom Aspinall’s YouTube channel, argued in favor of soccer kicks, specifically when an opponent is in guard and their legs can be moved to kick them. He also mentioned the possibility of using knees to an opponent’s head on the ground, especially when someone attempts a careless takedown to get a break.

Soccer kicks were allowed in the UFC until they were banned in 2000. In 2024, the ban on 12-6 elbows was lifted, which refers to when a fighter uses a straight downward elbow strike on an opponent. Pimblett, recognized for his grappling ability, also expressed his approval for the new rule that defines an opponent on the ground as someone who has “any part of their body, other than hands or feet” on the canvas, although he admitted that he is still adapting to it. Pimblett, in his conversation with the UFC interim heavyweight champion, Aspinall, commented:

I like the new rule where, if your hands are down, you can still use the knee. It’s still a bit confusing if the person puts their knee on the ground.

Paddy Pimblett

Pimblett continued explaining that they have been training and working on these new rules, even practicing kicks and knee strikes in the gym.