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California commission adopts revised unified MMA rules, removes 12-6 elbow; change to 'grounded fighter' approved 5-0
Summary
The California State Athletic Commission voted 5-0 to adopt the Association of Boxing Commissions’ August 2024 unified rules of mixed martial arts, removing the 12-6 elbow as a foul and changing the definition of a grounded fighter; staff outlined an outreach plan ahead of an expected November implementation.
The California State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to adopt revised unified mixed martial arts rules recommended by the Association of Boxing Commissions.
Andy Foster, the commission’s executive officer, told commissioners the key changes include removing the 12-6 elbow as a foul and a substantive rewrite of the definition of a “grounded fighter.” Foster described the new rule set as “less restrictive” but said the change should make officiating clearer and, over time, safer because referees will be better able to assess dangerous situations in real time.
Foster recommended that the commission adopt the rules as submitted by the Association of Boxing Commissions at its August 2024 meeting. A motion to adopt was moved and seconded and, after a short discussion about implementation, commissioners voted in favor by roll call: the motion passed 5-0.
Commissioners asked how the change would be communicated to fighters, trainers and officials. Foster said the commission had recently filmed an informational video with referees and fighter representatives and planned to distribute that video, plus email notices to coach and official mailing lists and social media posts, so that the change would be widely known before the outreach target date noted during the meeting (staff said November 1 as a target for notification steps).
Foster cautioned commissioners that the new rules are “less restrictive” but argued that clearer definitions will make enforcement more consistent: “This is a less restrictive rule set… Our theory is that if you take away putting your hand on the ground because you know you’ll get kneed or kicked, we don’t think fighters will do that anymore,” he said.
The commission’s vote implements the Association’s August 2024 recommendations for California events going forward. Staff said they would finalize outreach materials and publish guidance for officials ahead of the implementation timeline.
The commission’s adoption concludes the item on the agenda; next steps are staff distribution of the informational video and written notice to licensees and sanctioning partners.
