Mitchell Proposes Legalizing Stomps in MMA

UFC bantamweight Bryce Mitchell has floated rule changes including legal face stomps on grounded opponents while opposing a ban on oblique kicks.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two fighters in an octagonal cage, one mid-kick with a sweeping oblique strike, rendered in bold red and blue brushwork. — UFC bantamweight Bryce Mitchell proposed legalizing stomps to a grounded opponent's face, removing rounds, and banning weight cuts, while opposing a ban on oblique kicks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should MMA rules be loosened to allow stomps to a grounded opponent's face?

UFC bantamweight Bryce Mitchell publicly proposed legalizing stomps to the face of a grounded opponent, removing rounds from MMA bouts, and banning weight cuts. He made the comments in an Instagram video and caption amid recent discourse about banning oblique kicks, which he strongly opposes.

Why it matters

Mitchell's proposals address ongoing debate over MMA rules and athlete safety, including the tension between banning certain strikes and allowing others. His stance against the oblique kick ban reflects how fighters weigh striking tools they consider essential against injury concerns.

Oblique kicks can cause serious knee injuries, a concern central to the debate over banning them. The source does not provide figures on how often such injuries occur or whether rule changes would be formally considered.

The players

Bryce Mitchell

Bryce Mitchell is a bantamweight fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship known for his outspoken social media presence and his opposition to banning oblique kicks.

The details

Mitchell made the comments in an Instagram video and an accompanying caption. He opposes banning oblique kicks because he considers the strike one of his best weapons, while also proposing legal stomps to a grounded opponent's face, removal of rounds, and a ban on weight cuts.

November 4, 2026: Mitchell's comments were published on Sherdog.

Season Trajectory

Mitchell's comments add a fighter's perspective to the ongoing debate over whether oblique kicks should be banned in UFC bouts. His proposals for legal stomps and removing rounds signal how athletes are pushing for rule reform rather than simply accepting current regulations.

Fantasy and betting audiences tracking Mitchell's bouts should note his stated opposition to banning oblique kicks, which could matter if rule changes are pursued. No specific rule changes or schedules were announced in the source.

The takeaway

Fighter-proposed rule changes often reflect real tradeoffs between striking options and athlete safety, so tracking both sides of the oblique kick debate helps clarify where MMA regulation may head.