[alnorth]

The Association of Boxing Commissioners has approved the proposed changes to scoring and rules for the unified rules of MMA. Vote was 44-1 with 1 abstention. NJ voted no, TN passed on voting. (4 states are not in the ABC) Changes will be effective 1/1/17.

We already know about the scoring changes. There are 4 major changes in the rules.

1) Changes to the uniform rules for women, not sure what it exactly is and don't care, but apparently Reebok's current uniform top is going to be illegal.

2) Heel kicks to the kidney are no longer illegal. Medical experts said that technique is not dangerous and most people (except NJ) believe that rule was silly.

3) Fighters will no longer be able to play the "grounded opponent" game where they put one hand down to stop knees and kicks. Two feet and one hand will not be grounded. Both hands would be grounded, as would a knee and a hand, etc. NJ strongly objected to this change.

4) Having your fingers pointed at the opponent and moving forward will be a foul. You either need to close your fist or point your fingers up. Currently, referees could warn fighters to close their hands but they couldn't take a point away unless there was an actual eye poke so fighters often ignored the ref. After this rule is in effect, the ref won't have to wait for an eye poke, they can take a point if you are not heeding their warning.

New Jersey has said that they will not implement 2 of those changes to the uniform rules of MMA so for the first time in a long time we'll have a situation where the rules are different in one state vs another.